9-1-1/Emergency Communications

The rural mountainous terrain presents a challenge for Swain County, North Carolina public safety communications.

Swain County, North Carolina’s rugged terrain and remote geography have long presented challenges for first responders who depend on communications to protect residents and visitors. With the addition of a new FirstNet cell tower and integrating the network as a wireless backup solution, the Swain County Emergency Communication Center and surrounding public safety agencies now benefit from expanded coverage and improved backup connectivity.

Hurricane Helene caused widespread devastation throughout the southeast United States in late 2024. Public safety leaders in Tennessee and North Carolina worked with partners across their state to ensure 9-1-1 calls could go through and responders had the communications they needed. FirstNet provided critical redundancy and resiliency during response and recovery efforts.

Executive Director Pokey Harris of North Carolina 9-1-1 Board explains how 9-1-1 call centers in the state remained connected during Hurricane Helene thanks to the statewide ESInet (Emergency Services IP Network), a uniformed enhanced 9-1-1 system fully equipped with FirstNet. When a call center lost connectivity, calls were rerouted, and 9-1-1 services were maintained through the statewide ESInet. Pre-planning and coordination ensured lifesaving connections, even during mass destruction and overwhelming conditions. 

In October of 2024, the North Carolina 911 Board deployed the FirstNet Wireless Redundant Solution to a public safety answering point (PSAP) whose infrastructure was obliterated by Hurricane Helene. The PSAP received and processed 911 calls for one month using FirstNet connectivity. Renee Gordon, Pokey Harris, Tom Rogers, and Josh Briggs share best practices and lessons learned from rolling out this solution across North Carolina, live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit.  

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deployed a FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD) to Gold Hill, a remote area with poor cellular coverage, to maintain emergency 9 -1-1 connectivity during a planned power outage. The CRD ensured people could still access help, regardless of their carrier, and allowed responders to communicate while responding to incidents.

Public safety tech leader Bill Schrier was presented with the Chief Harlin McEwen Award for his exceptional leadership and contributions to public safety broadband communications. Throughout his career, he has worked to modernize communication systems, improve interoperability, and advocate for public safety’s needs with every innovation. Join the FirstNet Authority as we honor and celebrate him. Learn more: https://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/press-releases/former-washington-state-seattle-tech-leader-bill-schrier-receives-national

The First Responder Network Authority awarded Bill Schrier the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award (Harlin McEwen Award) for his leadership and contributions to advancing broadband communications for public safety.

The First Responder Network Authority presented the Patriot Award to six distinguished leaders in public safety, recognizing their innovative use of broadband technologies to protect and safeguard their communities.

Home to multiple U.S. Army commands, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, two federal law enforcement agencies, and even a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge, Redstone Arsenal requires seamless collaboration from its public safety community. Hear from Deputy Fire Chief Robert Simmons and Operations Specialist Marcel Chevalier of Redstone Arsenal Fire and Emergency Services, as they discuss how FirstNet keeps the base communicating. Explore how FirstNet supports federal operations at: FirstNet.Gov/Federal

At Redstone Arsenal military base, secure lines of communication between federal partners are critical. Watch Operations Specialist Marcel Chevalier and Deputy Fire Chief Robert Simmons of Redstone Arsenal as they break down how FirstNet supports streamlined emergency communications on the military installation. Explore how FirstNet supports federal operations at: FirstNet.Gov/Federal

Redstone Arsenal is home to multiple U.S. Army commands, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, 2 federal law enforcement agencies, and even a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge. When there’s an emergency, it is critical that first responders on base can communicate across agencies, as well as with their counterparts from the surrounding area. They look to FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, to ensure seamless communication during complex federal public safety operations.

When a person calls 9-1-1 to report an emergency, they rely on Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to quickly and efficiently send help to the right place. As emergency communications technology evolves and the needs of responders change with it, the FirstNet Authority is committed to ensuring PSAPs have the tools and connectivity they need to answer the call and save lives.

The FirstNet Authority is excited for our participation and involvement at APCO 2024. With a FirstNet specific track, APCO promises to be a unique experience showcasing the best in 9-1-1 communications technology, from mobile command posts to maritime response.

The First Responder Network Authority presented the Patriot Award to five leaders in public safety, recognizing their leadership in using FirstNet to make communities safer.

Steve Devine, APCO Chief Technology Officer, talks about the biggest trends in 9-1-1 technology, including the transition from analog to digital systems with Next Generation 9-1-1. Steve also discussed the role of public safety broadband in the emergency communications center and the issues APCO is prioritizing to support telecommunicators.

Officials from the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council discuss how the state uses cutting-edge technology to enhance 911 services for telecommunicators, responders in the field, and the public. The state is using FirstNet to enable data sharing, mobile dispatching, and redundancy for 911 agencies.

The FirstNet Authority works hand in hand with public safety to collect feedback on the network and their communications needs. First responders gathered for the FirstNet Users Summit in Sacramento, California to share their real-world experience using FirstNet. The FirstNet Authority uses public safety’s insights to ensure the network offers the right tools and services to meet their technical and operational needs.

In dealing with highly impactful yet rare occurrences, like a global pandemic or a Category 5 hurricane, public safety agencies are making use of FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network designed for first responders. These high-priority, low-frequency events have enabled the implementation of remote 9-1-1 call-taking, tactical dispatch, and the incorporation of FirstNet as a wireless backup for 9-1-1 systems. These initiatives help ensure dependable emergency communications during major events and incidents.

75 FirstNet installations have been deployed to support Iowa’s 9-1-1 program, providing a great leap in reliability even on bad days.