Sensors

With 5G, first responders will have access to more data in near real time. And through a series of strategic investments, the FirstNet Authority is working to bring these capabilities to public safety. Discover why 5G is essential to the future of emergency response and how FirstNet’s evolution makes this a reality.

The FirstNet Authority is investing $6.3 billion to enhance 5G capabilities on FirstNet. This is a major strategic investment in the future of public safety communications. 5G on FirstNet will generate faster speeds, enhance the quality of service for first responders, and drive innovations in mission critical services.

The CommanDING Tech prize challenge explored ways to improve the quality of incident command dashboards. Participants worked to create a solution that would help commanding officers visualize actionable information, without overloading them with unnecessary data. The challenge—hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division and judged by FirstNet Authority staff—produced four winning solutions.

The mitigation phase of emergency management includes all the steps taken to minimize the impact of disasters. FirstNet can play an important role in mitigation. Smart cities and remote sensors are two ways that technology is advancing mitigation efforts and disaster management, and FirstNet provides the prioritized and secure connectivity that public safety needs for these technologies.

The New York Power Authority successfully piloted FirstNet to support operations at the Blenheim-Gilboa's Pumped Storage Power project. The network ensures communications are available when public safety needs connectivity most.

Situational awareness for first responders can come from cameras, sensors, wearables, or countless other pieces of technology. In this blog, FirstNet Authority Senior Public Safety Products Advisor Randy Kerr and FirstNet Authority Senior Director of Product Technology and Architecture Carlos L’Abbate discuss public safety’s situational awareness needs and how the FirstNet Authority is ensuring those needs are met.

The FirstNet Authority is supporting NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research Division on a new prize challenge that aims to leverage augmented reality solutions and Internet of Things data to help public safety officials respond more effectively and efficiently.

First responders rely on dogs for many tasks that no human or technology can do. As K9 units continue to proliferate across public safety, industry is designing new technologies to keep them safe and increase their effectiveness. Many of these technologies require a reliable, secure broadband connection to function properly.

As technology rapidly evolves, more and more tools are becoming available to first responders. Over the past year, the FirstNet Authority has supported several innovation contests that encourage entrepreneurs, researchers, and public safety professionals to develop solutions to assist emergency responders. Brian Hobson, Director of the FirstNet Authority Enterprise Strategy Division, breaks down some of these contests and how the FirstNet Authority is helping drive innovation forward.

The FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) formed a Strike Team to examine the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport program. Chief Jonathan Olson of Wake County, NC EMS and FirstNet Authority PSAC Executive Committee member, details how the FirstNet network is uniquely situated to support this program and how under this program, patients will receive increased access to the services they need.

The Seattle Fire Department experienced the benefits of FirstNet during the SeaFair 2019 festival. Despite the more than 350,000 people in attendance, firefighters and paramedics were able to communicate important safety information during the event.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security has relied on FirstNet for a variety of incidents and emergencies, from Hurricane Michael to a lost hiker to the 2019 Super Bowl. With priority and preemption on the FirstNet network and access to deployable assets such as SatCOLTs (satellite cells on light trucks) and COWs (cells on wheels), first responders have reliable connection when and where they need it. 

Deputy Chief Travis Hollis of the Rogers Fire Department (AR) speaks with guest host Michael Varney about why a city in “Tornado Alley” decided to transition to FirstNet and what first responders have experienced since adopting FirstNet. He also shares thoughts on the future of public safety communications and advanced technologies like the Internet of Life-Saving Things (IoLST).