FirstNet: Difference between revisions
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FirstNet will perennially offer their services to disaster response volunteers, such as Portland NET, prompting volunteers to ask PBEM to approve the requests. Our policy is '''''not''''' to approve those requests. | FirstNet will perennially offer their services to disaster response volunteers, such as Portland NET, prompting volunteers to ask PBEM to approve the requests. Our policy is '''''not''''' to approve those requests. | ||
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== Background == | == Background == | ||
Occasionally a volunteer requests that PBEM provide a letter of authorization to purchase commercial access to cellular network priority for personal device(s) in case of disaster, when [https://youtu.be/5ZUaYJgnABQ the tubes] in public communication networks can become overwhelmed with data and voice traffic. Upon first examination, providing PBEM volunteers with access to reserved bandwidth makes sense because they are critical responders when emergencies occur. That is especially true after a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, which is expected to disable or at least significantly degrade communication systems. However, it's not that simple because that bandwidth is a limited resource. | Occasionally a volunteer requests that PBEM provide a letter of authorization to purchase commercial access to cellular network priority for personal device(s) in case of disaster, when [https://youtu.be/5ZUaYJgnABQ the tubes] in public communication networks can become overwhelmed with data and voice traffic. Upon first examination, providing PBEM volunteers with access to reserved bandwidth makes sense because they are critical responders when emergencies occur. That is especially true after a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, which is expected to disable or at least significantly degrade communication systems. However, it's not that simple because that bandwidth is a limited resource. | ||
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== PBEM Policy for Volunteers == | == PBEM Policy for Volunteers == | ||
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The reason is that in the wake of a catastrophic disaster, the limited-bandwidth, priority network should be reserved for professional first responders and some essential government employees. If too many people have priority access, no one does. To our knowledge, this approach has been adopted by many other jurisdictions in our region as well, though there may be exceptions. | The reason is that in the wake of a catastrophic disaster, the limited-bandwidth, priority network should be reserved for professional first responders and some essential government employees. If too many people have priority access, no one does. To our knowledge, this approach has been adopted by many other jurisdictions in our region as well, though there may be exceptions. | ||
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== PBEM use of FirstNet == | == PBEM use of FirstNet == | ||
PBEM Duty Officers have FirstNet access on our city-issued mobile phones, not on our personal devices. We also have FirstNet's complementary predecessors, [https://pushecs.org/resources/resource_pages/firstnet-overview/understanding_firstnet_network/ GETS and WPS]. | PBEM Duty Officers have FirstNet access on our city-issued mobile phones, not on our personal devices. We also have FirstNet's complementary predecessors, [https://pushecs.org/resources/resource_pages/firstnet-overview/understanding_firstnet_network/ GETS and WPS]. | ||
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=== Other FirstNET Devices at PBEM === | === Other FirstNET Devices at PBEM === | ||
As of 2024, PBEM has several dozen [https://volunteerpdx.net/index.php/Parade_Guides_at_Barricades#Communications_Protocols Sonim XP5Plus walkie-talkie devices] which operate on the FirstNet system. We provides those devices to volunteers during some deployments such as Rose Festival parades, where we wish to avoid distracting radio traffic on unencrypted public frequencies. The devices also have advanced features such as GIS awareness and a powerful administrative dashboard which enables, among other things, EOC staff to track deployed volunteers on a real-time map for safety. | As of 2024, PBEM has several dozen [https://volunteerpdx.net/index.php/Parade_Guides_at_Barricades#Communications_Protocols Sonim XP5Plus walkie-talkie devices] which operate on the FirstNet system. We provides those devices to volunteers during some deployments such as Rose Festival parades, where we wish to avoid distracting radio traffic on unencrypted public frequencies. The devices also have advanced features such as GIS awareness and a powerful administrative dashboard which enables, among other things, EOC staff to track deployed volunteers on a real-time map for safety. | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
