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First Responder Network Authority Executive Director and CEO Joe Wassel speaks to staff at meeting; Joe Wassel joins FirstNet Authority staff and NIST Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) staff at conference; Joe Wassel tests virtual reality technology with PSCR staff at Boulder Lab; Joe Wassel speaks with fire service leaders at event; Joe Wassel stands with FirstNet Authority senior leaders in front of fire truck in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; FirstNet Authority Board Vice Chair Renee Gordon speaks

100 Days at the FirstNet Authority: reflections, observations and discoveries

In this first blog of a two-part series, Executive Director and CEO Joe Wassel reflects on his first 100 days at the FirstNet Authority. Following a coast-to-coast tour where he met with first responders, he shares his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications.

Joe Wassel, FirstNet Authority CEO, speaks to staff at 5x5 standing in front of a Compact Rapid Deployable.

Highlights from the first 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit

Thank everyone who came to 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit hosted by NIST PSCR and the First Responder Network Authority. Revisit three days of building the future of public safety communications together. 

A man setting up an Emergency Operations Center in a new space.

Five things every emergency manager should know about FirstNet

FirstNet is an important resource for emergency managers, whether during disasters, everyday operations, or large planned events. FirstNet’s unique public safety features help emergency managers be more prepared, increase situational awareness, and better track assets and people. For better response and operations, emergency managers should know these five things about FirstNet.

Chief Peter Burke of the Hyannis Fire Department in Massachusetts stands behind podium giving acceptance speech for the inaugural FirstNet Authority Patriot Award; FirstNet Authority Chief Market Engagement Officer Jeremy Zollo and Executive Director / CEO Joe Wassel look on

FirstNet Authority awards inaugural Patriot Award for pioneering use of FirstNet

The Patriot Award is a new award presented by the FirstNet Authority to individual first responders or public safety agencies that use FirstNet to make their communities safer. The inaugural award was presented to Chief Peter Burke of the Hyannis Fire Department in Massachusetts for contributions to advancing the operationalization of FirstNet and enhancing public safety in his community.

Aerial view of cell tower in a forest; cover of the 2023 FirstNet Authority Roadmap

The FirstNet Authority Roadmap: Planning the evolution of public safety communications

The FirstNet Authority Roadmap guides programs, activities, and investments to enhance FirstNet. The 2023 update to the Roadmap was created with feedback from public safety and aligns the FirstNet Authority’s efforts with the ongoing operational needs of responders.