Congressional subcommittee pushes for FirstNet timeline, more SWICs

In 2010, there were 44 full-time SWICs. As of March of this year, that number was down to 26, although every state has at least a part-time SWIC, OEC Director Ronald Hewitt told the subcommittee.

Grubb said it is important that the individual not only be a full-time SWIC, but the person should serve in high-level role within each state. Otherwise, there’s a tendency for low-level SWICs to be “brushed under the table for the most part,” he said.

Without having someone dedicated to progressing interoperability, it’s unlikely to happen, Grubb said.

“Those are the things that we saw prior to 9/11—there was no coordinator,” Grubb said. “There was no champion of coordination for the states, and we’re heading back in that direction, unfortunately.”

Payne, who is the ranking member on the subcommittee, said he hopes his bill will prevent that happening.

“This legislation will ensure that states maintain the progress we have made toward achieving interoperability by preserving the governing structures necessary to make their communications technology work,” Payne said during the hearing.

“These structures are key to achieving interoperability using existing technology and networks and to realizing the potential of the national public-safety broadband network.”

The entirety of Kennedy’s written testimony for the hearing can be read here.