As former Homeland Security Commissioners, law enforcement officers, and fire service officials, we know why it matters for first responders to have access to the most advanced and reliable technologies, services, and equipment to perform their mission. Investment in these critical resources is necessary to ensure the safety of First Responders and of the communities they serve.
That’s why we’re concerned by the recent findings of the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the operations of FirstNet. The IG report raises serious doubts about whether FirstNet is fully meeting its legal obligation and congressional mandate to serve First Responders. The IG found that FirstNet could not demonstrate that it was making the most appropriate or efficient use of billions of dollars to reduce gaps in network performance or adequately meet First Responders’ priorities. Instead of conducting a First Responder “needs analysis,” FirstNet simply “relied on information from AT&T (its contractor) that appeared to influence the process of identifying and selecting reinvestment opportunities.”
The report highlights the $6.5 billion of federal funds that have already been provided to AT&T and notes that it is essential for FirstNet to “ensure future multibillion-dollar reinvestments are supported and justified and respect public safety priorities,” not just AT&T’s.
The report’s assessment that these decisions appear to be influenced by FirstNet’s contractor, AT&T, is alarming - and underscores why we expressed our concern to the FCC back in October about the degree of control that FirstNet has abdicated and transferred to AT&T. We urged the FCC to grant greater access to FirstNet’s contract with AT&T and to fully examine its operations – echoing calls by the National Sheriffs Association and Major Cities Chiefs Association for greater oversight and transparency.
The OIG’s conclusions underline why we believe the FCC needs to establish clear requirements for FirstNet to satisfy before renewing its license. FirstNet must operate in accordance with its Congressional mandate, and without undue influence from commercial interests.
Our nation’s first responders deserve nothing less.
About the authors:
William Bratton is the former Commissioner of the New York Police Department and Boston Police Department and the former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. He is currently the Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk and Chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
Karen P. Tandy was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as the first female to head the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Prior to the DEA, she led the nationwide Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which are comprised of thousands of state and federal U.S. prosecutors and law enforcement agents. In 2019, she was elected to serve as Chairwoman for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Board and, in 2020, she was appointed to the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council and is the Founder and Principal of KPT Consulting, LLC.
Jerome M. “Jerry” Hauer is the former Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the former Commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management. During 9/11, and during the U.S. anthrax crisis, he was the Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Senior Advisor to the Secretary for National Security and Emergency Management at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Teneo Risk.
Salvatore Cassano is the former Fire Commissioner at the Fire Department of New York and served as an operations officer during 9/11. He is currently Senior Managing Director of Consulting and Lobbying Groups for Pitta Bishop & Del Giono.
Charles H. Ramsey served as Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia during 9/11. He also previously served as the Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. He is currently a Public Safety Advisor for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
