Maryland

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.

When an underground fire led to a total power outage in downtown Baltimore, first responders found themselves in the dark and without radio communications. The Baltimore City Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and deployed FirstNet devices for the first time--within minutes, they were communicating and coordinating response. In the months since, the agency has integrated FirstNet into daily operations, helping deputies capture data in the field, maintain communications during long prisoner transports across Maryland, and tackle innovative approaches to law enforcement.

After an underground fire cut power and disabled radio communications in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office relied on FirstNet devices to maintain contact and coordinate emergency response. The experience marked the first deployment of FirstNet and initiated the agency’s transition to using broadband for daily operations. FirstNet has since helped the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office improve field reporting, stay connected during long prisoner transports, and enhance officer safety.

Citywide deployments of FirstNet make operations more efficient by creating seamless communication and data transfer among all response partners. Three law enforcement officials shared how their citywide FirstNet deployment has been critical to ensuring everyone is informed and working together on a coordinated response.

Held each spring, the IAFC's Hazmat Conference provides the latest classroom, hands-on and field trip-based training on what's new in hazmat, covering all aspects of hazmat, including transportation, safety, WMD, gear, terrorism, mass decontamination, bioterrorism and more. The hazmat exhibit floor includes outdoor demonstrations of hazardous materials gear and equipment.

The Maryland Emergency Management Association promotes and supports an all-hazards approach to Emergency Management in the State of Maryland.

Law enforcement officers are among the most important users of the FirstNet network, along with other public safety agencies like EMS, fire services, 9-1-1, and emergency management. When help is needed from the wider community, public safety can temporarily give other subscribing organizations elevated access to the network. This keeps everyone connected and communicating when it matters most.

In Charles County, Maryland, the school district has adopted FirstNet’s secure and dependable network to ensure communication during emergency and day-to-day situations. The school district has also integrated the use of drones into their school security plans, enhancing situational awareness for responders so they can more efficiently respond to emergencies.

From 911 calls to continuity of operations and pandemic response, technology helps the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) support response operations and communications to keep the university

First responders in Maryland are benefiting from FirstNet’s expanding coverage, boosted capacity, and new capabilities. FirstNet’s Band 14 infrastructure is bringing public safety agencies nationwide access to the network’s unique features and functions.

One thing the 9-1-1 community learned from the pandemic was the need to plan for alternate ways to work. Rather than be tied to workstations at fixed locations, 9-1-1 telecommunicators need flexibility to remotely take, dispatch, and supervise calls. 9-1-1 leaders looked to technology for a solution. Through FirstNet, the nationwide public-safety broadband network, first responders had access to a secure, reliable connection outside of the ECC. 

2022 Maryland Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs’ Professional Development Conference

Every emergency manager knows a disaster calls for all hands on deck, including the extended community of responders who help public safety in emergencies. This extended community can include utilities, transportation, and other essential services. FirstNet is available to this extended community of responders when needed. And emergency managers should know how to prepare all response partners to communicate during a disaster.

Charles County’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet® network expansion currently underway by AT&T. We’ve recently added new, purpose-built cell sites located in Charles County – one in Nanjameoy and a second in Newburg on Crain Highway behind the Maryland Veterans Museum. In 2020, AT&T turned on two other purpose-built sites – one on Cobb Island Road in Newburg and another along Vera Davis Lane in Waldorf.

Please join representatives from the federal FirstNet Authority, local and state officials, and representatives from AT&T for a special event to announce recently turned on mobile broadband sit

One thing the 9-1-1 community learned from the pandemic was the need to plan for alternate ways to work. Rather than be tied to workstations at fixed locations, 9-1-1 telecommunicators need flexibility to remotely take, dispatch, and supervise calls. In December 2021, Maryland telecommunicators put FirstNet to the test, demonstrating the network’s connectivity and reliability during remote operations.

One thing the 9-1-1 community learned from the pandemic was the need to plan for alternate ways to work. Rather than be tied to workstations at fixed locations, 9-1-1 telecommunicators need flexibility to remotely take, dispatch, and supervise calls. In December 2021, Maryland telecommunicators put FirstNet to the test, demonstrating the network’s connectivity and reliability during remote operations. To learn more, visit FirstNet.gov/911.

County government officials in Cecil County, Maryland, rely on FirstNet for communications during a crisis. The nationwide public safety broadband network ensures local government leaders are able to stay connected and maintain operations in both rural and urban areas of the county.

After 30 years as a career and volunteer firefighter, Stephen Wantz understands the importance of clear communications. Now, as an elected official in Carroll County, Maryland, he uses his past experience to advocate for the tools and technology public safety needs to communicate.

Throughout the pandemic, FirstNet has been delivering our nation’s frontline public safety personnel a secure, dedicated wireless broadband service to keep mass vaccination centers connected and coordinated. When the New Hampshire’s Security and Emergency Management set up a mass vaccination clinic in Loudon last spring, the agency implemented FirstNet service for its communication needs. The FirstNet network was equally critical to healthcare providers and emergency managers setting up sites to administer COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in Michigan and Maryland.