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FirstNet in Action

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.

Fire on the mountain: FirstNet connects Boulder responders

In March 2022, a fire broke out near the Table Mesa neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado, close to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Facility. Over the course of six days, the NCAR Fire burned 190 acres. FirstNet deployables, including a compact rapid deployable owned by the City of Boulder, supported first responders on scene and ensured they could share critical information. Learn more at FirstNet.gov/Colorado.

Jackman, Maine: Telemedicine in the inland island

In rural Jackman, Maine, the community has taken an innovative approach to providing emergency care quickly and efficiently. With the help of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, local paramedics can conduct telehealth sessions and treat residents at the local health clinic or in their homes. Through the use of telemedicine and a reliable broadband connection, paramedics can treat patients on site rather than transporting them to a hospital over an hour away. Learn more: https://firstnet.gov/newsroom/blog/firstnet-enables-telehealth-inland-island-jackman-maine

Episode 69: FirstNet goes to school: Keeping Maryland students safe with public safety broadband

In Charles County, Maryland, the school district has adopted FirstNet’s secure and dependable network to ensure communication during emergency and day-to-day situations. The school district has also integrated the use of drones into their school security plans, enhancing situational awareness for responders so they can more efficiently respond to emergencies.

An Inside Look at University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Campus Safety Tech

From 911 calls to continuity of operations and pandemic response, technology helps the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) support response operations and communications to keep the university community safe and secure. The UMB uses FirstNet to enhance situational awareness and coordinate faster response times for public safety officials.

Revolutionizing First Responder Training: Exploring the Public Safety Immersive Test Center

Through the collaborative efforts of the FirstNet Authority and the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division, the Public Safety Immersive Test Center was created. The 1,100 square-foot facility in Boulder, Colorado, is equipped with advanced technology like augmented and virtual reality headsets, motion-capture systems, and high-speed tracking cameras, which allow first responders to experience a variety of scenarios in an immersive and tactile environment. The Public Safety Immersive Test Center also serves as a space for research and development, allowing industry experts to learn more about the technology that supports the life-saving mission of public safety.
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