An Ignoble Experiment

2. FirstNet approves management structure of key committee, environment impact process

Sue Swenson, a longtime former telecommunications and technology executive, was recently tapped to head the First Responder Network Authority, a group spearheading the development of a high-speed, nationwide wireless network for public safety agencies.

Swenson, who has been serving on the FirstNet board since the board's inception and was appointed vice chairwoman in December, replaces Sam Ginn. He has been chair since the board was formed in August 2012 and is expected to remain until his term ends in August. He will not seek reappointment, according to a news release.

FirstNet, which was created in 2012, is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It is charged with constructing, operating and managing an estimated $7 billion interoperable communications platform for emergency responders. It is expected to be paid for through proceeds from spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission.

Swenson helped lead negotiations with four Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grantees to lease access to FirstNet's spectrum. She was also instrumental in the development of a strategic roadmap for Firstnet, according to the news release.

Most recently, Swenson was president and CEO of business software provider Sage Software from 2008 to 2011. In the past, she has been a top executive at several other wireless companies including Amp'd Mobile, T-Mobile USA, Leap Wireless, which was recently acquired by AT&T, and Cellular One. She also serves on the boards of Spirent Communications, Harmonic, Novatel Wireless and Wells Fargo.

For more:
- read the press release

Read more about: NTIA
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By Dibya Sarkar

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3. Mobile app could help crowdsource solutions following disasters

Among several recent actions, the independent federal group overseeing the development of a nationwide broadband network for first responders formally adopted the operational structure of an advisory committee that provides public safety expertise and guidance.

The board of the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, approved the management structure of the Public Safety Advisory Committee, which is comprised of about 40 representatives mostly from state, local and tribal public safety organizations.

The committee was formed more than a year ago and provides expert advice on policies, procedures, technologies and methods developed by FirstNet. It is making sure that the needs and requirements of public safety users are met, says FirstNet. The committee is chaired by Harlin McEwen, a former city police chief and a retired FBI deputy assistant director.

The FirstNet board also approved the process and funding for identifying potential environmental and historical preservation impacts as the network is deployed. The process will include multiple analysis of federal actions as well as best practices and mitigation measures to reduce any impacts.

FirstNet also announced it has hired a professional executive search firm to help find a general manager following the resignation of Bill D'Agostino, who was on the job for less than a year, in April. He left for personal and family reasons, the board has said. Deputy General Manager TJ Kennedy has assumed the role in the meantime.

Created in 2012, FirstNet is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It is charged with constructing, operating and managing an estimated $7 billion interoperable communications platform for emergency responders that is expected to be paid for through proceeds from spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission.

Read more about: FirstNet, Bill D'Agostino
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By Molly Bernhart Walker

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4. Arlington National Cemetery launches second iteration of grave locator app

An Android app, code named "uRep," which is under development at Kean University, allows users to report a problem by snapping a picture and geo-tag it using GPS functionality built into their mobile device.

In its current form, the app is a prototype focused on power outages, but a paper recently published as part of the IEEE's annual Systems Conference suggests the app could be useful in providing information during an emergency, such as the location of hotels, grocery stores with depleted stock or gas stations that are closed.

uRep allows users to report power outages and see the location of other reports. Utility companies can also log in and set priority to reported issues, all while outage reporters track their progress in addressing issues.

"The geo-tagged location is important because it pinpoints the exact location of the problem," say authors. "The picture is also important because it assures the repair team that a problem exists, and the visual helps them prepare for it in advance."

The paper cites public frustration following Hurricane Sandy. Following the storm, Jersey central Power & Light posted information about progress restoring power to its website but that information was simply a list of cities and their expected restoration percentages.

"The main goal of this app is to make sure that the crowd that helps to report problems gets information about progress toward fixing these problems," says the paper.

One potential issue with uRep, however, is the app's dependence on utility companies to update their progress. Still, authors of the paper say the potential expansion of this app could prove valuable to first responders and personnel in extreme weather emergencies.

For more:
- download the paper, "Crowdsourcing for Public Safety," (reg. req.)

Read more about: disaster response, Hurricane Sandy
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By Ryan McDermott

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5. HHS updates AIDS website to be mobile-compatible

The Arlington National Cemetery's digital team launched the second iteration of an app that helps visitors find gravesites and plan their trips.

The app will help the 4 million visitors a year navigate the cemetery, plan a visit, search for burial records and find a specific grave site or monument, a May 29 blog post says.

It will also provide mini biographies for some notable graves including those of civil rights activist Medgar Evers and nurse Juliet Opie Hopkins, meant to "provide a more personal and enriching experience."

The app will locate the graves of everyone from astronauts and prominent explorers to U.S. presidents and Supreme Court justices.

Through the app's "Share a post card" function, cemetery visitors can e-mail framed photos of monuments or grave markers, the blog post says.

The first iteration launched last October and included a gravesite locator and events list.

ANC employees had already been using since March 2013 a similar app to increase operational efficiency at the cemetery and enable employees to de-conflict events and better manage information.

For more:
- read the blog post

By Ryan McDermott

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