Pallone Gets Progress Report on JerseyNet, Disappointed that Christie Refused to Allow Important New Jersey Testimony

WASHINGTON, DC – At a hearing today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, got a progress report on JerseyNet, a dedicated radio network to improve communications amongst first responders in New Jersey. In response to a line of questions from Pallone, T.J. Kennedy, Acting Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), stated that JerseyNet is making terrific progress, is on track to be completed by the September 30 deadline, and that the JerseyNet system is a great platform for FirstNet to learn from. Despite the positive progress report on JerseyNet, Pallone expressed his disappointment that Governor Chris Christie refused to allow JerseyNet to testify at today’s hearing. The hearing was held in the Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

“I am not only pleased that JerseyNet is one of the first of its kind to be deployed in the country, but also that it will improve critical public safety in New Jersey’s emergency response network,” said Congressman Pallone. “As we knew when I worked to secure the funding to create the program, clear lines of communication are crucial to our first responders and stronger communications networks will save lives.”

Pallone was a leading advocate in securing a grant from the Department of Commerce to create JerseyNet in 2011. JerseyNet, New Jersey’s FirstNet program, benefits 51 public safety agencies that serve a population of more than 4.5 million people.

“I’m disappointed that Governor Christie refused to permit JerseyNet to testify today,” added Pallone. “By all accounts, JerseyNet is a model for the rest of country and the nation could have benefited from learning from our experiences. I wish Governor Christie agreed.”

The 9/11 Commission identified first responders’ inability to communicate with each other across multiple jurisdictions as a major problem on 9/11. In response, Congress moved forward with establishing dedicated radio spectrum for use by first responders, removing communications barriers.

JerseyNet will be a dedicated public safety wireless broadband network, allowing 167 local law enforcement agencies and 224 fire departments access to the network. The network also provides the capability for streaming patient data from paramedics to hospital personnel, fingerprint and mug shot information, mobile access for firefighters to building blueprints and more.