[EAS] BLU Alert Comments.

[Sean Donelan]

On Wed, 2 Aug 2017, Ed Czarnecki wrote:
> But another thought here is ... how does FirstNet play into all of this?
> Isn't the broadband wireless 5G FirstNet system - which would eventually
> include just about every uniformed public servant - the best means of
> conveying such information to and among public servants?  Should this not
> further narrow the use cases for a public dissemination of Blue Alert
> information, via EAS, WEA or other media?

The President of FirstNet is on the DOJ Blue Alert Advisory Group.

https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/blue-alert/2017_report.pdf
2017 Report to Congress

[...]
The COPS Office continues to work with FirstNet, an independent authority 
within the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration.  FirstNet's mission is to build, operate, and 
maintain the first high-speed nationwide wireless broadband network for 
interoperable public safety communications.

The Attorney General is statutorily designated as a member of the FirstNet 
Board.  In 2013, then Attorney General Eric H. Holder, consistent with 
FirstNet bylaws, delegated his responsibilities to the COPS Office 
Director during the inaugural years of the Board.  Currently, the 
Executive Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 
(FBI) Science and Technology Branch serves as the Attorney General's 
designee on the Board.

In light of the similar equities between FirstNet and the Blue Alert Act, 
the COPS Office consulted with the President of FirstNet, whose expertise 
has been valuable in the development of the COPS Office's national Blue 
Alert Act strategy.  The FirstNet President currently serves on the Blue 
Alert Act Advisory Group.  The COPS Office anticipates that FirstNet, once 
fully operational, will be able to streamline communications 
interoperability for states, thus facilitating nationwide Blue Alert 
coordination.
[...]