The Vermont Public Safety Broadband Network Commission (PSBC) was created to help plan, develop, and implement a public safety broadband network to support the communication needs of first responders.
The PSBC's goal is to help implement a broadband network that meets the interoperability goals and specifications of the FirstNet nationwide public safety broadband network. The commission is charged with advising the Governor on issues related to the network and is to report to the Governor annually on the implementation progress of the national network. The PSBC also is responsible for reporting on the use of grant money received in Vermont for the purpose of building a public safety broadband network. Vermont has received grant money through the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) through two awards--SLIGP 1.0 and SLIGP 2.0. The grants are administered by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration. To view details of the current SLIGP 2.0 award go to https://www.ntia.doc.gov/sligp2/awards.
The PSBC is comprised of dedicated members who meet on a regular basis to help Vermont plan for the design, development, and operations of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), which is the nation's first ever dedicated public safety broadband network. Vermont's planning and outreach efforts focus on working with the public safety community to gather feedback about unique communications challenges, coverage and capacity needs, and user requirements and communicating that feedback to FirstNet.
Annual Reports
Commission Members
Terry LaValley
Single Point of Contact (SPOC), Chair
Director of Radio Technology Services, Department of Public Safety
Email
Robert T. White
Senior Manager III, Agency of Transportation
Email
Alton Barber
VT Fire Chiefs Association
Chief, Hinesburg Fire Department
Email
Frank Costantino
ERP Technical Services Director, Agency of Digital Services
Email
Chris Herrick
Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
Email
Steven Locke
Professional Firefighters of Vermont
Chief, Burlington Fire Department
Email
Jim Porter
Director of Public Advocacy, Department of Public Service
Email
Douglas Johnston
Chief, Springfield Police Department
Email
Barb Neal
Executive Director, E 9-1-1 Board
Email
Captain Thomas Hango
Vermont State Police Emergency Communications Commander
Email
Dan Manz
Retired, Executive Director, Essex Rescue, Vermont Ambulance Association
Email
Kenneth Jones
Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Email
Ron Kumetz
1st Assistant Chief, Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department
Vermont State Firefighters' Association
Email