JOHNSTOWN — The Fulton County Board of Supervisors on Monday officially designated AT&T FirstNet as the county’s base bid contract for all county cellular telephones and wireless communication device systems.
The move is effective Sept. 1, and was recommended by the Public Safety and Finance Committees, as well as county Purchasing Agent Jon Stead.
County officials in 2002 established a policy of designating one basic bid contract for all county pagers and cell phone service. AT&T FirstNet is under state Office of General Services contract.
Signed into federal law on Feb. 22, 2012, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The law gives FirstNet the mission to build, operate and maintain the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety’s emergency and daily data communications. In New York state, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is representing public safety stakeholder interests with FirstNet and its selected partner, AT&T.
The AT&T FirstNet contract is part of a national contract to deliver enhanced cellular communications to first responder agencies and recently also became available via OGS contract.
Elsewhere during the board session:
∫ Gloversville 4th Ward Supervisor Charles Potter reported he attended the Fulton County Office for Aging’s annual Senior Picnic Aug. 1 at the Concordia Club in Gloversville. He said it was “great to be part of” an event that drew over 450 senior citizens.
“I’ve been donating my time and services for this great picnic,” Potter said.
∫ The board appropriated $42,828 in state Homeland Security Interoperable Communication Grant funds for the second phase of the county’s VHF Simulcast System Project.
∫ Stead reported the New York State Association of Counties will conduct its annual Fall Conference Sept. 16-18 at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello in Sullivan County. The event features workshops, plenary programs, training and networking sessions for the educational needs of county officials. Stead urged supervisors to get registration forms from the board office.
∫ The board accepted a $1,500 donation from the Sacandaga Triathalon Club to support the Sheriff’s Department’s Marine Patrol Program.
∫ Supervisors also authorized two funding applications through the office of District Attorney Chad Brown. One was a $15,000 application through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to support overtime police patrols. The second $425,000 application was to the U.S. Department of Justice to support victim advocacy.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
