The First Responder Network Authority works with the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) Tribal Advisory Group (TAG) to understand the unique communications needs and priorities of tribal public safety. The TAG includes delegates from tribal associations who provide the FirstNet Authority with advice on Indian Country outreach, education, and inclusive engagement strategies.
In a TAG meeting earlier this year, the group highlighted how FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, is bringing more reliable communications to tribal lands through infrastructure buildout and access to network deployables.
TAG members recounted specific examples of how FirstNet is supporting tribal public safety, from South Carolina to Oklahoma.
Boosting coverage for the Catawba Nation
In Rock Hill, South Carolina, the Catawba Reservation spans 700 acres. Catawba Police Chief Shawn Butler explained at the TAG meeting that the Catawba Nation hosts its annual Yap Yè Iswà Festival, an event that attracts large crowds to the sprawling lands, which can pose a public safety challenge for Catawba Nation police.
To ensure local officers stay connected, Butler turned to FirstNet solutions. When preparing for the 2025 festival, he requested a FirstNet deployable to boost communications for public safety in areas of high congestion. The additional coverage provided by the deployable allowed public safety officials to remain connected, even on their busiest day, so they could best protect their community. “We are happy with the FirstNet performance at the festival,” Butler stated.
The Catawba Nation also outfitted emergency vehicles with FirstNet connectivity and relied on FirstNet for its security cameras as well as cross-departmental communications among tribal leadership, tribal police, and public works. Integrating FirstNet provided the Catawba Nation with more reliable communications in both day-to-day operations and emergency events.
Choctaw Nation relies on FirstNet uplift, deployables
Public safety officials serving the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma utilize FirstNet’s expanded wireless coverage to support communications across the reservation’s nearly 11,000 square miles — an area larger than the state of Massachusetts.
Every year, the tribe hosts a Labor Day Festival that attracts nearly 80,000 people. It is a major public event that requires significant preparation, coordination, and communication. In 2025, the Choctaw Emergency Management team requested FirstNet deployables to boost coverage. The team also used FirstNet uplift capabilities to support essential public safety teams during the event. During times of network congestion, uplifted devices have priority access to network resources, meaning users will always be able to get connected — and stay connected — to the FirstNet network.
The Choctaw Nation has tapped FirstNet resources for other events as well. Ahead of a preplanned power and internet outage at a local hospital, the Choctaw nation requested a FirstNet deployable to supply redundant connectivity to the hospital. The pre-staged FirstNet deployable provided four hours of backup connectivity while a necessary generator switch-over occurred, allowing hospital operations to continue uninterrupted. Whether it is a celebratory festival or a needed coverage solution, the Choctaw Nation relies on FirstNet to support public safety as they protect their community.
Continuing the connection
We continue to see the progress that has been made in expanding FirstNet coverage in tribal areas, thanks to TAG feedback and advocacy, as well as investments in network infrastructure and coverage solutions. There is still more work to be done to bring FirstNet coverage to tribal lands. As the network continues to grow, the TAG will continue to be a crucial voice in ensuring the nation’s public safety broadband network supports tribal first responders and their unique communications needs.