Initiative Update

March 26, 2016

The State and Local Implementation Grant Program for Public Safety Broadband Planning (SLIGP) is a matching grant program assisting states, in collaboration with regional, tribal, and local jurisdictions, to plan for the establishment of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). All 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia were eligible for SLIGP funding. Funding allocations were determined using a formula that considered both population and land mass.

It is important to note that funds awarded under the SLIGP are meant specifically to plan for implementation of the network and may not be used for any technical or pilot work, such as activities related to site preparation, broadband deployment, installation, construction, lobbying costs, contingency fees, or the acquisition of equipment used to provide wireless broadband services. This initiative update is meant to provide a snapshot of FirstNetME's recent progress, assuring proper trajectory of the FirstNet project in Maine.

The initiative has established a governance structure, the Maine Interoperable Communications Committee (MICC), to consult with the federal First Responder Network Authority and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to develop a state network plan for the implementation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) based on Maine's unique coverage challenges and the requirements of Maine's first responder community. FirstNetME has developed procedures to ensure both local and tribal representation and participation in the consultation process by identifying, educating, and interacting with key public safety stakeholders. Through extensive data collection efforts and discussion with Maine's first responder community, FirstNetME has been able to define the data and communication challenges faced by public safety personnel, assisting the team in drafting a comprehensive state plan that adequately addresses such needs.

Presently, data collection efforts have been winding down and FirstNetME has turned its concentration to examining and understanding the results, incorporating its findings in education and outreach efforts. Various heat maps and infographics illustrating the data and communication needs of Maine's first responders have been generated and shared with key stakeholders. Additional materials illustrating the results from data collection have been developed for FirstNetME.gov such as the data collection section and the Case Studies section. To further cross promote these materials, results, and its overall objective, FirstNetME maintains an active social media presence on Facebook and Twitter and is consistently making improvements and updates to their website such as the homepage slider used to highlight important news and events related to the initiative.

FirstNetME has continued to promote and educate Maine's public safety personnel by attending, hosting, and presenting at various events across the state. In Q4 of 2015, the team was able to get in front of approximately 837 stakeholders to promote and discuss the initiative. FirstNetME representatives continued the trend in 2016 by holding presentations for Maine National Emergency Number Association (NENA) regional meetings, the Penobscot County Emergency Planning Committee, and Northeastern Regional Healthcare. Additionally, FirstNetME representatives assisted in hosting and running an emergency-response tabletop exercise with the Maine Rural Waters Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, illustrating the benefits of a fully implemented dedicated broadband network for Maine's first responders. FirstNetME also had a presence at major events such as Maine's second annual broadband day, the Journal of Emergency Medical Services annual national conference (EMS Today), and the Maine Chief of Police Association 2016 Winter Meeting & Vendor Show. FirstNetME representatives will be presenting at the annual Maine NENA conference in May. Finally, correspondence with the Maine tribal community is underway through the FirstNet representative and the FirstNetME team.

The FirstNetME initiative has consistently met its internal goals in the early phases of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network project and continues to work hard to promote and advocate for Maine's public safety community in creating a state plan that meets their unique data and communication needs. Please feel free to contact State Point of Contact Lisa Leahy at lisa.leahy@maine.gov with any questions or comments regarding the initiative.