NPSTC submitted comments to the FCC in response to its notice of inquiry on Internet of Things (IoT) spectrum.  In the comments, NPSTC said the commission should not rely on trying to repurpose public safety spectrum that already supports mobile use, fixed links or broadband data – public safety communications that will continue to be required.  Given the nascent nature of IoT, NPSTC believes one element of determining spectrum requirements is a better understanding of IoT use cases in various market segments.  The council provided reports from the NPSTC Public Safety IoT Working Group as two resources in this area (Use Cases Report and Outreach Report).  The cover letter to the comments is here.

NPSTC NASEMSO EMS Communications and Technology Working Group is seeking feedback from EMS stakeholders regarding their opinions on the use of telemedicine and telehealth technology to enhance prehospital care and improve coordination with medical control physicians and hospital emergency departments.  You are encouraged to forward the survey to anyone you think may be interested in helping us with this important endeavour.  Please click here or go to the link below to complete the survey:

This survey is a follow up to a report on EMS telemedicine completed in 2016 that included feedback from 890 respondents.  You will be asked to select one (or more) answers to each question.  Each question also allows you the option to enter comments to further explain your answer.

The 2016 Survey Report is available here or on the reports tab on the www.NPSTC.org website.

Wireless communication systems now enable the transmission of voice, video, and patient telehealth data from the emergency scene to healthcare facilities.  FirstNet, the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, provides a dedicated high-speed data network that allows transmission of secure data with receiving and consulting physicians, hospitals, and trauma centers.  New prehospital technologies, including point-of-care testing, in vehicle CT scans for stroke assessment, and portable ultrasound systems are being adopted across the United States.

While technology solutions are advancing quickly, and Covid-19 demands and ET3 programs have accelerated telehealth usage and adoption, there is no consensus in the health care community on the efficacy of these prehospital systems and little data on the impact to patient outcomes.  This survey is designed to capture opinions on the use of video and data in the prehospital setting.

We seek your feedback to help us identify the opinions of EMS providers, EMS medical directors, hospital Emergency Department physicians, and hospital Emergency Department directors.  The results of the survey will be incorporated into a formal report, which will be provided to each respondent.

Please contact our team at support@npstc.org if you have any questions or need further information.  This survey will close on Monday, December 31, 2021, at midnight Eastern Standard Time.

Please join us for any of the upcoming October meetings.  The screen share link for all NPSTC meetings is:  https://join.me/npstcsupport1

Spectrum Committee
Friday, Nov. 12, 2021
1 – 2 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  446-1830#

Technology and Broadband Committee
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021
2 – 3 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  446-1830#

Cybersecurity Working Group
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 1 – 2 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  869-9040#

Interoperability Committee – NEW DATE
Due to scheduling conflicts with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the Interoperability Committee meeting has been rescheduled, please note new dates –
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 – CANCELLED
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – CANCELLED
2 – 3 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  446-1830#

Broadband Emerging Technologies Working Group
Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021
Noon to 1 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  869-9040#

Public Safety IoT Working Group
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  869-9040#

EMS Working Group
Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021
1 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Conference Line:  510-227-1018
Conference ID:  446-1830#