America was struck by tragedy early in 2025.

From natural disasters to mass casualty incidents — and even acts of terrorism — these events tested the resolve of our country and put pressure on the nation’s emergency response systems.

Fortunately, the women and men of public safety have once again risen to the challenge — in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and other parts of the country. First responders have shown time and time again they will always be there for us, no matter how dangerous the situation.

A continuous commitment

At the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), our commitment to public safety is stronger than ever. We are dedicated to working with AT&T to deliver a reliable communications network for their lifesaving mission and serving as an operational organization to support public safety.

Our approach recognizes that FirstNet is more than a network; it is a lifeline first responders can depend on every day, at any time, and during any emergency.

The FirstNet Authority has worked closely with its network contractor, AT&T, in recent weeks to support public safety communications at emergencies and planned events — including the wildfires in California and the Presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. We have tools and processes in place that enable us to be informed and impactful to public safety’s mission.

These enable us to continuously monitor incidents across the country, such as the power outages in Puerto Rico on New Year’s Eve. The FirstNet Authority coordinated with AT&T and local officials on the island to identify network impacts and help facilitate their on-demand coverage needs.

The next day, the FirstNet Authority coordinated with local officials in New Orleans and Las Vegas to ensure the network was performing as designed for public safety in response to the deadly incidents in those cities on New Year’s Day.

And in California, as the wildfires were raging in Los Angeles, both the FirstNet Authority and AT&T made their staff available and staged FirstNet communications assets to help the Southern California public safety community battle the fires.

Finally, the FirstNet Authority was on hand and ready to support the Presidential inauguration, which is one of the most complex security events that includes local, federal, and Department of Defense responders. The team spent months planning and preparing for the events to take place on the National Mall, and then quickly pivoted to support the indoor inauguration events when extreme weather prevented the inauguration from occurring outdoors.

Our pledge to public safety

First responders have been put to the test these past few weeks. They continue to meet the challenges head-on, working to protect their communities.

The FirstNet Authority is proud to support public safety — throughout the United States and its territories — and we thank our first responders for their dedication and bravery during these dangerous situations.

While the road ahead may be uncertain for many in the areas affected by these emergencies, we remain committed to ensuring our nation’s responders have what they need to communicate and share information. Public safety must be at its best when a situation is at its worst. The FirstNet Authority remains focused on serving them in their times of need.

If your agency needs support from the FirstNet Authority, please contact your public safety advisor who will connect you with the right resources.