**PUBLIC NOTICE**![](media/image1.png){width="0.6541666666666667in"
height="0.6604166666666667in"}

**Federal Communications Commission**

**445 12th St., S.W.**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

**DA 04-2127**

> **July 14, 2004**

# 

# WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ACTION

**REGION 36 (WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA) RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR MINOR
AMENDMENTS TO ITS (800 MHz) PUBLIC SAFETY REGIONAL PLAN**

**(PR DOCKET NO. 92-274)**

By this *Public Notice*, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau)
announces that the Region 36 (Western Pennsylvania) Public Safety
Regional Planning Committee\'s proposal to amend the Region 36 (800 MHz)
Public Safety Regional Plan is approved. On December 24, 2003, Region 36
filed an amendment to its Public Safety Plan that provides a new
allocation method, changing from its current "comparative window
allocation process" to a "first-in/first-out" process, and modifies the
allocation matrix of the National Public Safety Planning Advisory
Committee (NPSPAC) Region 36 Plan.[^1] Specifically, the amendment
modified the Region's frequency allocation tables to provide new
assignments in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, and added channels
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania existing statewide system.[^2]

In accordance with the National Public Safety Plan, each region is
responsible for planning its use of public safety radio frequency
spectrum in the 821-824/866-869 MHz band.[^3] The Region 36 Plan was
originally adopted by the Commission on February 1, 1993.[^4]

On March 25, 2004, the Bureau issued a *Public Notice* (DA 04-775)
inviting interested parties to file comments regarding a proposed
amendment to the Region 36 Plan.[^5] We received no comments in response
to the *Public Notice.* A review of the record indicates that Region 36
obtained the required letters of concurrence approving its proposed
amendment from its adjacent regions.[^6] Also, we note Region 36's
rationale for changing its long-standing comparative window application
process is due in part to the recognition that the remaining amount of
spectrum available for future allotments is very small and only
available in specific geographic areas of the Region. In addition,
Region 36 states that its new "first-in/first-out" allocation process
will better serve the needs of its public safety community.[^7]
Accordingly, the amendment is accepted and approved as submitted. The
Secretary\'s office will place the amended Region 36 Plan in the
official docket file where it will remain available to the public.

Questions regarding this *Public Notice* may be directed to Jeannie
Benfaida, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-2313, or via
email to [Jeannie.Benfaida@fcc.gov](mailto:jeannie.benfaida@fcc.gov).

Action by Assistant Chief, Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure
Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

\- FCC -

[^1]: *See* Letter dated Dec. 19, 2003, from Donald R. Appleby,
    Chairman, NPSPAC Region 36 Public Safety Planning Committee --
    Western Pennsylvania, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC (Letter)
    (submitting the Region 36 Petition to Modify NPSPAC Region 36 Plan
    with the Addition of New Allocations and Change in the Allocation
    Method for future allotments) filed Dec. 24, 2003.

[^2]: *See* Region 36 NPSPAC Plan Amendment at Appendix 1.

[^3]: *See* Development and Implementation of a Public Safety National
    Plan and Amendment to Part 90 to Establish Service Rules and
    Technical Standards for Use of the 821-824/766-869 MHz Bands by the
    Public Safety Services, *Report and Order,* Gen. Docket No. 87-112,
    3 FCC Rcd 905 (1987).

[^4]: *See* Western Pennsylvania Public Safety Plan, *Order*, PR Docket
    No. 92-274, 8 FCC Rcd 798 (1993).

[^5]: *See* Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Action, Comments Invited
    on Western Pennsylvania (Region 36) Public Safety Regional Plan
    Amendment, *Public Notice*, PR Docket 92-274, 19 FCC Rcd 5324 (WTB
    2004). Comments were due April 24, 2004 and reply comments by May
    10, 2004.

[^6]: Region 36 is surrounded by five planning regions: Ohio -- Region
    33; Western New York Region 55; West Virginia Region 44 and
    Maryland/Northern Virginia Region 20.

[^7]: *See* Amendment at 3.