Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Episode 70: Fighting wildfires in Southern Texas with FirstNet

When a rural fire in Brooks County, Texas engulfed 6,500 acres of land, the Falfurrias Fire Department faced significant communication and coordination challenges due to the remote location of the fire. FirstNet provided a solution to this problem with the deployment of a SatCOLT, a vehicle with its own cell site non-reliant on commercial power supplies, that provided crucial connectivity and support to over 40 agencies and public safety personnel. This subsequently enabled efficient mapping of the location, real-time weather updates, and seamless communication among first responders.

Paul Ebel

Paul Ebel brings over three decades of dedicated service in public safety to his role as Senior Public Safety Advisor for the First Responder Network Authority. Currently overseeing five states within FEMA Region 5, including his home state of Wisconsin, Paul plays a pivotal role in advancing public safety communications and technology across Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Subscribe to