FCC Announces Nomination Period for 4.9 GHz Band Manager Selection Committee
On September 28, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced their intent to establish the 4.9 GHz Band Manager Selection Committee. This is a new federal advisory group that is tasked with dedicated to advising the Bureaus on selecting a Band Manager for the 4.9 GHz band (4940-4990 MHz). In 2024, the FCC concluded that the 4.9 GHz Band Manager, once selected, will be eligible to apply for a nationwide overlay license and authorized to enter into a sharing agreement with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). It envisioned that the Band Manager would be recommended by a selection committee “that represents and ensures the involvement of the relevant stakeholders, in particular the public safety community.”
The 4.9 GHz Committee will receive and review proposals from persons or entities seeking to serve as Band Manager and to hold the Band Manager overlay license. The Committee will select one proposal to recommend to the respective FCC bureaus. Nominations to be the band manager (and Chair of this committee) are due on October 28, 2026.
FCC Initiates 4.9 GHZ Band Manager Selection Process
U.S. Senate Passes Legislation Support State Move Over Laws
On September 30, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day (S. Res. 943). The resolution recognizes the several hundred traffic incident management responders, who are killed each year due to roadside collisions. The resolution also expressed support for the annual Crash Responder Safety week in November.
The resolution states that the Senate supports the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day. It also urges national, state, and regional incident management organizations to spread awareness and promote the existence of -- and adherence to -- state move over laws and educate the public further on the dangers and loss of life that occur if state move over laws are not faithfully observed.
NIOSH Releases New Studies re: Firefighter Health Effects from Electric Vehicle Incident and Assault on Firefighter Paramedics
This week, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) released two reports:
F2025-11 CA: Firefighters Injured Following Toxic Exposure During Electric Vehicle Lithium-ion Battery Thermal Runaway Event – California
F2026-11 OH: Firefighter-paramedic stabbed by patient during involuntary commitment transport – Ohio
IAFC members are encouraged to review these reports for important information to protect the lives of fire and EMS personnel.