This article originally appeared in print with the headline, "Seeing the light."

"When the power goes out, people die"

Throughout the U.S., states and territories are preparing to begin a planning process with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to determine what roles they will play in the much-anticipated nationwide broadband network for first responders that will feature LTE operations on 700 MHz public-safety spectrum.

Exactly what decisions will come from this planning process is anyone’s guess, but one theme that seems clear is that traditional public safety — police, fire and EMS personnel — will not be the only users on the network. In the law enacted last February that created FirstNet, language was included that allows a broader definition of the first responders — the one used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — who will be allowed to access the network.

This broader definition includes critical infrastructure, and no group within it has expressed more interest than the utility sector — particularly electrical utilities. For years, the notion of sharing a nationwide broadband network was met with resistance by many public-safety representatives, who expressed concern that additional traffic on the network could impede the transmission of public-safety signals, which in turn could result in the loss of lives and property.

However, during the past year, this stance has changed considerably, as officials in traditional public-safety agencies have learned more about the economic challenges facing the FirstNet board that is trying to deploy a nationwide broadband network, as well as the potential operational benefits that could come from having utilities access the system.

The possibility of traditional public-safety entities partnering with utilities on the FirstNet broadband network is being considered, based on recent comments from several members of the FirstNet board.

"The law actually says 'public-safety network,'" said FirstNet board member Jeff Johnson, who is CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association. "But this board is choosing to interpret that pretty broadly. When I respond to a hazardous-materials call on the freeway, that involves the highway department, and there's lots of interaction. Getting those traffic-camera feeds directly to our apparatus helps us make all sorts of decisions. That's just a single example.

"Whether [the network] is broad enough to include utilities, transportation and public works, I think this board is seeing it as the broader public-safety community, and not just the people who spray and shoot and get shot at."