State and Local Coalition Supports FirstNet Reauthorization

State and Local Coalition Supports FirstNet Reauthorization

The Honorable Brett Guthrie Chairman
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Frank Pallone Ranking Member
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone:

On behalf of the national organizations representing the nation's fire, emergency medical services, law enforcement, public safety communications, and emergency managers and the state and local government agencies that support them, we thank you for your leadership in developing this legislation to preserve the federal First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). Every day, FirstNet provides mission-critical communications so that local public safety officers can protect and provide lifesaving assistance to their citizens. We stand together in support of your amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R 7386, the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026 and urge members of the committee to support this network.

We thank you for your efforts to address the needs of the public safety officers that use FirstNet on a daily basis. In order to prevent the termination of FirstNet next February, the amendment would extend the life of the program to September 30, 2037. By increasing the representation of active public safety professionals on the FirstNet Board, the amendment would ensure that the FirstNet network that was built for public safety will continue to meet public safety's needs. The substitute amendment would reinforce the FirstNet Authority's ability to deploy emergency response capabilities and resources to emergencies and disasters; set strategic priorities for the network; develop an annual budget and outline reinvestment decisions; and manage the device and application ecosystem within the FirstNet network in a timely manner without bureaucratic interference.

The FirstNet network continues to demonstrate its effectiveness daily during both national disasters and daily calls for fire, EMS, or law enforcement assistance. It is important that this national resource is not allowed to expire. We look forward to working with you to pass this legislation in the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

International Association of Fire Chiefs Congressional Fire Services Institute International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Emergency Managers, U.S. Council International City/County Management Association Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
National Association of Counties
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians National Association of State Chief Information Officers National Emergency Management Association
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation National Fire Protection Association National League of Cities
National Conference of State Legislatures

cc: The Honorable Richard Hudson, Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
The Honorable Doris Matsui, Ranking Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

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