State governments are taking divergent approaches to planning and varied strategies for engaging with federal and local partners for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), according to a report from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).

The research report is based on the results of a survey of state CIOs that illustrates not only the ongoing planning around the network, but also the diverse approaches being employed by the states for engagement with local stakeholders, FirstNet officials and even other states. It also shows a significant distribution in the maturity of state planning, ongoing outreach and governance strategies. 

“Building a nationwide public-safety communications network is going to require a tremendous amount of planning, negotiation and collaboration across all levels of government,” said Darryl Ackley, co-chair of the NASCIO Broadband Committee and CIO for the state of New Mexico. “This report provides an early snapshot of how the states are approaching this extremely complex policy and infrastructure initiative.”

Read the rest of the article from Radio Resource Media Group here.