The town of Elizabeth is home to approximately 2,000 residents and is surrounded by low-lying valleys and pine forests. Despite the town’s location on Colorado’s eastern plains, it sits at 6,530 feet above sea level — higher than Denver’s mile-high elevation.

Elizabeth is in Elbert County, a rural area that is also one of the state’s fastest-growing counties. That population growth, paired with an aging community, have led to an increase in emergency calls for local first responders. To support communications in this rural landscape, the Elizabeth Fire Protection District turned to FirstNet — the broadband network dedicated to public safety. 

Making the switch to FirstNet

Elizabeth Fire Protection District Division Chief Kara Gerczynski knows the importance of accessible and reliable communication. Prior to adopting FirstNet, EMS and fire service personnel in Elizabeth struggled with patchy or nonexistent service in some areas, making connecting with partnering agencies and obtaining real-time updates nearly impossible.

“We used paper maps,” Gerczynski noted. “Our lieutenant, who is typically the passenger on calls, would guide our responders to the call with a paper map.” And with the nearest hospital 30 minutes away, paramedics often relied on guidance provided by doctors via phone to perform critical care in ambulances while traveling to the hospital. “We knew we needed to make a change to a digital option,” explained Gerczynski.

To accomplish this digital transformation, the Elizabeth Fire Protection District installed mobile data terminals (MDTs) in ambulances and fire apparatus. MDTs allow response crews to access up-to-date mapping and call information while on the move. “In order to run that computer, we really needed some good communication,” said Gerczynski.

FirstNet’s impact on emergency response

After testing the FirstNet network around the town, the Elizabeth Fire Protection District made the switch. Today, FirstNet supports most of the agency’s communications.

Crews can now receive updates directly from dispatch to their MDTs while en route to scenes, improving information sharing and situational awareness. “Those computers are mapping our crews right to the call. They're seeing the other apparatus as they get there so they know exactly where to go,” says Gerczynski. With access to pre-arrival information, her team can respond faster and better manage scenes upon arrival.

Improving county-wide communication

With other public safety agencies in the county also using FirstNet, such as the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, responders with the Elizabeth Fire Protection District can easily communicate with their partners in the field.

No matter the emergency, first responders can communicate, share critical data, and maintain situational awareness — all the capabilities they need to protect the public and serve their growing needs. Gerczynski states, “It’s definitely a game changer for our operations.”

Learn more about Elizabeth Fire Protection District’s use of FirstNet in the video below.