Emergency Management
During the St. Thomas Carnival, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ public safety community enlisted support from the First Responder Network Authority’s Network Engagement Experience Program to prepare for the annual event. This pre-event guidance helped address communication and coordination challenges during the large-scale event and laid the groundwork for future emergency preparedness in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
When the Groundhog Day annual ceremony attracted more than 50,000 visitors to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Police alongside local, state, and federal agencies, tapped into operational assistance from the FirstNet Authority. The FirstNet Authority worked closely with public safety officials to evaluate network coverage and ensure reliable communication for the event. Throughout the day, FirstNet provided high-speed coverage that allowed the multiple agencies to coordinate seamlessly and respond swiftly to emerging needs.
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.
When the fiber connection for public safety cameras failed during a major race weekend in Newton, Iowa, Jasper County emergency management turned to FirstNet. Broadband brought critical situational awareness back to responders, ensuring they could keep fans safe.
The 2024 conventions from both U.S. political parties were supported by the FirstNet Authority’s pre-planning efforts. Party conventions are major national events, yet the same planning framework applies to smaller local events. The Network Experience Engagement Program is designed to meet the needs of public safety, whether planning for a major party convention, a pumpkin festival, or the homecoming parade.
The total solar eclipse in April brought massive crowds to 15 U.S. states in the path of totality. The FirstNet Authority began working with public safety officials two years in advance to incorporate broadband into their eclipse planning and support each state in unique ways to prepare for the influx of people
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Shawn Talmadge, State Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, describes how the Commonwealth utilizes of FirstNet capabilities — such as radio interoperability, unmanned arial systems, and flood monitoring — to ensure reliable communication for Virginia’s emergency teams both during routine and unexpected events. Shawn Talmadge was the recipient of a 2024 Patriot Award.
Join Shawn Talmadge as he shares his perspective on the critical role of communications in disaster response. Learn more about FirstNet in Virginia at FirstNet.gov/Virginia.
September is National Preparedness Month, an opportunity for communities to strengthen emergency response plans and recognize emergency managers. Hear from Bruce Fitzgerald, FirstNet Authority emergency management expert, as he honors the men and women who help prepare our communities for the unexpected.
Learn more: FirstNet.gov/EM
National Preparedness Month helps communities prepare for when disaster strikes. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the work of emergency managers (EMs) and the role they play in disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation. In recognition of the month, Trevin Hunter of Louisville Metro Emergency Services in Kentucky talks about his work as an EM and shares his support for the emergency management community.
A year of unprecedented disasters — including two major floods and a train derailment — brought unique challenges to rural Stillwater County, Montana. FirstNet supported communications and emergency management throughout these incidents, allowing responders to connect and collaborate during response and recovery efforts.
Tangier is a tiny, remote island in the Chesapeake Bay off the coast of Virginia. When local landlines were scheduled to be down, emergency management officials worked with their partners across the state to deploy a FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployable to keep the island’s first responders and residents connected in case of emergency.
As a federal agency serving the public safety community, the FirstNet Authority works with public safety agencies to evaluate their communications capabilities. We offer an Operational Capabilities Workshop to help determine what technologies they have and identify any gaps in incident response. The workshops also help develop preparedness plans that leverage all technology options available to an agency.
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.
Las Vegas public safety agencies spent months planning for the first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix race and hosting football’s biggest game of the year. As part of their preparations, the Clark County Fire Department and other Las Vegas public safety agencies worked with the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program. Through a collaborative planning process, FirstNet ensured first responders were prepared for these major planned events, as well as an unexpected avalanche just north of the city.
Descargue la Guía de recursos para la gestión de emergencias de FirstNet Authority en español. Creada por y para primeros respondedores de emergencias, la Guía de recursos para la gestión de emergencias de la FirstNet Authority proporciona información sobre la incorporación de FirstNet en las operaciones de respuesta o en los centros de operaciones de emergencia.
The FirstNet Authority Emergency Management Guide was developed by experts in FirstNet solutions and emergency management operations to help public safety plan for events or incidents. The guide is a comprehensive outlook for incorporating broadband into your communication plans and emergency management efforts. The September 2023 version of the guide features new sections highlighting FirstNet features important to public safety.
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.
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Every year during the holidays, the city of St. Augustine in Florida is transformed by millions of holiday lights that bedazzle the city’s downtown in an event called Nights of Lights. As visitors marvel at the twinkling lights, St. Augustine officials use FirstNet to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely for everyone involved.