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.
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With many rural jurisdictions in South Dakota experiencing degraded land mobile radio coverage in remote areas, the state of South Dakota began exploring how FirstNet Mission Critical Push-to-Talk could help address coverage, capacity, and interoperability limitations. By integrating this broadband solution with the statewide radio communications system to streamline emergency communications, South Dakota is using FirstNet-MCPTT to address interoperability challenges and expand radio capabilities.
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.
For public safety agencies that rely on FirstNet, the FirstNet Authority offers critical support through planning support, post-event reviews, and workshops that help agencies assess their current communications capabilities, identify coverage gaps, and implement strategies for improvement. Whether preparing for an event or evaluating response after an incident, FirstNet Authority operational assistance can help public safety agencies enhance their FirstNet experience and improve overall readiness to better support their communities.
In March 2025, the FirstNet Authority participated in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 6G workshop, followed by the quarterly 3GPP plenary meetings. The workshop and meetings focused on progressing features important to public safety. The FirstNet Authority continued to represent public safety interests.