By TJ Kennedy, FirstNet Acting General Manager
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), an independent entity within the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, was established by Congress to develop a nationwide broadband network for the millions of first responders whose mission requires them to be resilient every time they are called to duty. Whether they are responding to day-to-day emergencies – such as traffic accidents – or large-scale disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, the nation’s firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and emergency medical services are critical to ensuring our safety and security during all types of hazards.

By Amanda Hilliard, FirstNet Director of Outreach
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to provide an update on FirstNet during California’s first town hall dedicated to public safety wireless broadband communications. Hosted by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the event brought together nearly 100 public safety professionals from across the state to hear a range of viewpoints and interests about the future of first responder communications and the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN).

Hundreds of first responders and members of the public attended yesterday’s 2015 World Police and Fire Games Sports Extravaganza at Reston Town Center, Va – including the FirstNet team. The event was a preview of the type of events that will be held at next summer’s World Police and Fire Games, which will be held in Fairfax County, Va. The Games are a biennial sporting event open to first responders from around the world to showcase their athletic abilities in Olympic style competitions.

By TJ Kennedy, FirstNet Acting General Manager
Yesterday, FirstNet held its third quarterly webinar for all 56 state Single Points of Contacts (SPOC). The discussion provided opportunities for FirstNet leadership and the SPOCs to exchange information on a host of developments – such as the status of the states’ checklists and the upcoming state consultation meetings, to our strategy for developing the nationwide public safety broadband network. We covered a lot of ground during the webinar and look forward to hosting them on a quarterly basis, in addition to our monthly calls with the SPOCs that are held by FirstNet region.