An accident victim lies unconscious on the ground. The first public safety person on the scene, a state trooper, uses a small wireless technology device to record the victim's vital signs and transmit them to the EMT crew on their way in an ambulance. Once the victim is in the ambulance and on the way to the hospital, the EMTs are able to transmit additional vital data to the hospital's emergency room crew by using mobile broadband technology. That crew is able to determine, well before the accident victim arrives at the hospital, what treatment will be necessary or if the victim will need to be taken by helicopter to a major medical center for extensive treatment. The information about the victim's condition, collected and transmitted by new technology as part of a public safety broadband network, allows for enhanced and time‑saving decision-making about treatment, possibly saving the victim's life.
     According to Axiom Technologies CEO Susan Corbett, this scenario is just one of many that could become a reality if the Washington County Mobile Broadband Public Safety Pilot Project is successful. The goal of the project is to create real‑time connectivity to transmit public safety data to offices, hospitals and other public safety entities using new technologies and a closed broadband network specifically reserved for this type of public use.
     The project, a collaboration of many organizations and entities at the county, state and federal level, was first spearheaded by Corbett and Kevin McGinnis of Hallowell, who is chairman of the Department of Homeland Security SafeCom Program and vice chairman of the Public Safety Spectrum Trust. "It is beyond exciting, the potential is incredible," says Corbett.

The heart of the project
     At the heart of the pilot project is a chunk of 700 megahertz Block D broadband that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is interested in designating for community use. Corbett remembers when she was introduced to McGinnis several months ago. "Kevin was looking for a pilot project area. I raised my hand." She explains, "The Block D 700 is reserved for public safety. It's a closed network. If we were to go forward with the project, we had to have the support of the state."
     A little over a month ago Corbett met with "about 40 state agencies. We pulled everyone together. Their answer was 'Yes, continue forth with the public safety project.'" She notes, "If we can take the theory to a successful end result then it can be taken statewide, then possibly national." Corbett explains that the FCC is particularly interested in the Washington County location "because it is the only rural site project. Washington County will be one of the first, if not the first, to roll out a public safety program using this technology."
     While Corbett played a significant role in bringing Washington County to the fore as a rural site for the pilot project, she is quick to note that Axiom is just one of many that are now working to bring the project to fruition. Her company's name might bring name recognition, but she says that the project is "representing so many entities and people supporting this going forward. Without those people it wouldn't happen." She adds, "Washington County is at a great place. There are some wonderful team players here."
     One of the group's members is the Washington County Emergency Management Agency. Director Mike Hinerman says, "The big thing is the accessibility of information." While he sees that the major users would most likely be those involved with medical emergencies, he explains that his agency would be able to more quickly access live information about wood fires, hazardous materials situations or "any number of incidents that emergency management would be involved in."

Emerging technologies ready to go
     Two teams have been created to put the pilot project in place. The infrastructure team is working on such issues as determining whether and where a tower should be built, licensing and deciding on radio gear. Members range from businesses such as Dialectics and Axiom, educational institutions such as the University of Maine WiSE Net Lab, to the nonprofit Sunrise County Economic Council and the county commissioners.
     The second group is the Washington County team, which is researching the equipment that is in development for emerging markets. The county's many public safety entities are involved, as are others such as Down East Community Hospital and the county's council of governments. The team will need to choose the equipment best able to demonstrate the diverse range of the public safety network's capabilities. Corbett explains, "A lot of companies are standing by. They have manufactured equipment, but they are waiting to put it in the field. They want to work with us."
     The first step is for the FCC to issue a waiver for use of the Block D 700 MHz. Then, Corbett says, the second step is for the license holder to be selected, which she says might be held by the state or the Washington County Emergency Management Agency. "They're looking at 2011. There are enough people and energy in place to think that this could happen." Once the "go button" is pushed, Corbett believes that determining a tower location and a section of the county as the site of the pilot project won't take long.
     Josh Rolfe, the supervisor of the county's regional communications center, says, "The potential is very significant. Instantaneous data sharing from the field to any number of places could be extremely useful." The county's cell phone coverage is spotty in part because of the topography. Rolfe points out that the advances in wireless access created by the pilot project could mean that down the road video chats could be used instead of cell phones to relay public safety information. "If we have the kind of wireless speed that's being talked about, the possibilities are limitless. It will be an excellent tool for anyone in public safety."
     Part of that speed and range is based on technological innovations that will broaden the reach of communications even in the face of the county's geographical challenges. One such innovation is an antenna that is expected to provide six to 13 times the coverage of a traditionally designed antenna. Such advances allow for places like Washington County, with its wide‑ranging topographical differences, dispersed populations, limited resources and few incentives for private investment, to create public and private partnerships to innovate and meet local needs. "The availability of mobile broadband in this county would be invaluable," says Hinerman.