Presented by Steve Meyers

Recent large-scale disasters have presented considerable challenges to emergency communications systems and exposed serious issues, both in communicating with the public and in interactions between emergency providers.  FirstNet is a proposed dedicated nationwide public safety wireless 4G LTE broadband network for emergency responders.  This broadband network will fulfill a fundamental need of the public safety community as well as the last remaining recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. FirstNet will bring 21st century tools to tens of thousands of organizations and individuals that respond to emergencies at the local, state, tribal and federal levels.  With the increase use of devices in the emergency responder community opportunities exists for application and software developers to bring their expertise to the market.

Steve Myers

Steve Myers is the Senior Program Manager of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region and provides subject matter expertise on various projects relating to economic development, the environment and stakeholder engagement specific to the Arctic, academia, and university engagement, workforce development, invasive species, mining, emergency management and innovation issues by managing various projects; facilitating and presenting at meetings; and providing insight on legislative issues. PNWER launched the Regional Disaster Resilience and Homeland Security Program in November 2001 with the goal of improving the Pacific Northwest's ability to withstand and recover and to protect its critical infrastructures from all-hazards disasters.