Bellevue, Wash. – Today, six distinguished leaders in public safety received the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) prestigious Patriot Award for their innovative use of broadband technologies to protect and safeguard their communities.
FirstNet Authority Executive Director and CEO Michael A. Cannon presented the awards at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit and recognized recipients for their diligence in successfully deploying FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, in their communities.
The 2025 Patriot Award recipients represent the 911/emergency communications, emergency management, emergency medical services, fire service, law enforcement, and defense and national security public safety communities. Recipients include:
Michele Abbott is the Communications and Training Coordinator at the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council. She has worked to bring cutting-edge technology, including Next Generation 911, to enhance the state’s 911 services for telecommunicators, responders in the field, and the public. Ms. Abbott was also a part of a dynamic team of leaders that were instrumental in establishing FirstNet as a tertiary backup to their statewide dispatch system and as the network connection powering a statewide Emergency Mobile Dispatch and Training Center.
Joey DelaCruz is the Emergency Operations Center Manager and Statewide Interoperability Coordinator for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ (CNMI) Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Mr. DelaCruz plays a pivotal role in helping public safety agencies leverage cutting-edge broadband technology to enhance their capabilities and build redundant and resilient layers into CNMI’s all-hazards communications and technology operations.
Antony "Tony" Niave is a 26-year veteran of the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), currently serving as Deputy Division Chief of the Telecommunications Certification Office. In this role, he champions the advancement of wireless communications in direct support of the White House and U.S. defense partners. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Niave has led the successful deployment of FirstNet in support of four Presidential Administrations. His leadership has been instrumental during numerous national special security events in Washington, D.C., as well as during emergency response operations for Hurricane Helene recovery in Asheville, North Carolina, and wildfire relief efforts in Maui, Hawaii.
The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department utilizes FirstNet extensively to enhance their communication across the agency. This is evident in their whole blood transfusion program, telematics for 450 fleet vehicles, data transfer with the public safety answering point, and patient care reporting, all designed to support service delivery to the residents and visitors within the Nation’s Capital. The agency relies on FirstNet to monitor and report real-time unit availability, populate situational awareness data on ESRI dashboards, and manage daily fire department operations through their staffed Fire Operations Center.
The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) has embraced modern technologies to improve its operational efficiency. The department’s 1,281 firefighters rely on their FirstNet-connected laptops, hotspots, smartphones, and cameras for daily operations. The IFD also works with local universities to study and implement new public safety technologies, such as Z-axis tracking of firefighters. Battalion Chief Dale Rolfson, accepted the award on behalf of IFD.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) uses FirstNet to complement their statewide radio system. In 2020, several tornados struck the middle of Tennessee and destroyed over 100 structures, including part of a local public safety radio tower. With this critical component damaged, the TACN used FirstNet Uplift capabilities, devices, deployables and Enhanced Push-to Talk to communicate and carry out damage assessment. In the years since, the agency has continued to be an early adopter of new broadband technologies and has integrated FirstNet capabilities and coverage to create a robust statewide communications system for Tennessee public safety.
Reflecting on the Patriot Award winners, Cannon said, “It is a privilege to honor these pioneers, who are leading the way in advancing public safety communications and operations. Their unwavering commitment to public safety and their innovative approaches to technology are enabling responders to perform their lifesaving mission safer and more effectively.”
