Technology

Public Affairs Specialist Molly Hahn joins FirstNet Authority Senior Device Engineer Barry Leitch to understand the basics of Mission Critical Push-to-Talk and its capabilities. Learn how this technology enables instant, reliable communication for public safety— helping teams coordinate in real time, stay connected during emergencies, and enhance operational safety.

During the St. Thomas Carnival, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ public safety community enlisted support from the First Responder Network Authority’s Network Engagement Experience Program to prepare for the annual event. This pre-event guidance helped address communication and coordination challenges during the large-scale event and laid the groundwork for future emergency preparedness in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

When the fiber connection for public safety cameras failed during a major race weekend in Newton, Iowa, Jasper County emergency management turned to FirstNet. Broadband brought critical situational awareness back to responders, ensuring they could keep fans safe.

In northeastern Kansas, volunteer firefighters respond to incidents that have increasingly grown more intense in the area. Bigger and faster fires mean dependable communications are key to protecting the community. Shawnee County Fire District #4 installed FirstNet High Power User Equipment and routers in their firetrucks, keeping firefighters connected across the rural landscape.

Sudden cardiac events are the top cause of firefighter death. The District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department is testing a wearable device to track the cardiac health of its training class. Deputy Fire Chief Shawn talks about what they are learning from the pilot program and what they hope to achieve.

AT&T announced a new FirstNet cell site during a special event in Hagerstown, Maryland that featured federal and county officials, local public safety personnel, business leaders, and representatives from AT&T. This new site is part of AT&T and the FirstNet Authority’s 10-year, $8+ billion investment commitment into the FirstNet network – including launching 1,000 new cell sites to further expand the reach of public safety’s dedicated Band 14 spectrum across the country by the end of 2025.

Biometrics and wearables are ushering in a new wave of public safety technologies. These innovations have the potential to greatly improve the health and safety of firefighters — and get us closer to the goal of zero deaths or injuries.

At the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival near Las Vegas, a combination of FirstNet, innovative technologies, and comprehensive planning kept EMS operational in a challenging environment. Cody Snow, president of Prevent Medical Solutions, a mobile medical system that specializes in event staffing, talked about solutions they use to support communications during these events.

A new space race has launched — this time in the cellular world. The FirstNet Authority’s Jeff Bratcher and Pat Schwinghammer, AT&T’s Mohammad Baig, and Gypsum Fire Chief Justin Kirkland discuss what satellite-to-device services could mean for public safety live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit.

A year of unprecedented disasters — including two major floods and a train derailment — brought unique challenges to rural Stillwater County, Montana. FirstNet supported communications and emergency management throughout these incidents, allowing responders to connect and collaborate during response and recovery efforts.

The FirstNet Authority is excited for our participation and involvement at APCO 2024. With a FirstNet specific track, APCO promises to be a unique experience showcasing the best in 9-1-1 communications technology, from mobile command posts to maritime response.

FirstNet provides first responders with priority wireless broadband service across all U.S. states and territories – but that’s not all. The network also offers subscribers dedicated technology, pre-event planning support, resource guides, public safety advisors on-call, and much more. Here’s your guide to getting the most out of FirstNet.

Successful response to a suspicious package incident relies on good communications. Technology can make a difference in ensuring response teams have the most up-to-date information. FirstNet technologies can help with a coordinated, connected, and safe response.

Maine is undertaking a statewide project to install FirstNet in all its ambulances — to keep them connected and communicating wherever the call takes them. Integrating FirstNet into ambulances improves pre-hospital care and safety for patients, responders, vehicles, and roads.

Wherever law enforcement officers work, they need fast and reliable connectivity. One of the most important innovations for public safety communications is 5G. With 5G, wireless connectivity can move more data at greater speeds in near real time. 5G will have a big impact on the ability of officers to do their jobs safely and efficiently.

FirstNet Authority Board member Undersheriff Sylvia Moir discusses how FirstNet, the public safety broadband network, is aiding first responders in reducing harm and safeguarding communities. Learn how the network supports first responders on the frontline everyday at FirstNet.gov.

Las Vegas public safety agencies spent months planning for the first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix race and hosting football’s biggest game of the year. As part of their preparations, the Clark County Fire Department and other Las Vegas public safety agencies worked with the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program. Through a collaborative planning process, FirstNet ensured first responders were prepared for these major planned events, as well as an unexpected avalanche just north of the city.

This June in Chicago, Illinois, two agencies within the U.S. Department of Commerce are coming together to advance communications technology for public safety. FirstNet Authority and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Public Safety communication Research Division (NIST PSCR) will host the second annual 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit, where leaders in public safety, government, industry, and academia will collaborate to build the future of public safety technology.

Grundy County, Illinois, is a rural community 45 minutes south of Chicago. Deputy Chief Kevin Bogard of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office shared the unique challenges the county faces - including the annual Corn Festival, which brings in thousands of tourists – and how making the switch to FirstNet helped simplify and consolidate their communication technology.

With 5G, first responders will have access to more data in near real time. And through a series of strategic investments, the FirstNet Authority is working to bring these capabilities to public safety. Discover why 5G is essential to the future of emergency response and how FirstNet’s evolution makes this a reality.