Montana

A year of unprecedented disasters — including two major floods and a train derailment — brought unique challenges to rural Stillwater County, Montana. FirstNet supported communications and emergency management throughout these incidents, allowing responders to connect and collaborate during response and recovery efforts.

First responders got a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built FirstNet cell site near Hysham, Montana.

First responders got a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built FirstNet cell site near Fort Benton, Montana.  

Interstate 90 got a major boost in wireless communications for first responders and travelers thanks to a new, purpose-built FirstNet cell site near Columbus.

The FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Advocacy team proactively reaches out to public safety to discuss FirstNet and elicit feedback and insight regarding their communication needs for public safety broadband and innovative technologies. In the Central region, the team includes two National Government Liaisons that represent 573 federally recognized tribes across the country and public safety advisors covering a geographically diverse region of 14 states.

Montana is a rural state with diverse terrain ranging from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. This varied landscape and equally varied climate can lead to natural disasters, like wildfires.

Tribal first responders face their own unique challenges, often covering large expanses of land in remote, rural areas with limited coverage.

At the PSAC Tribal Working Group’s (TWG) semi-annual in-person meeting, the FirstNet Authority updated TWG delegates on FirstNet’s latest developments, and tribal leaders discussed their network needs and shared real-world FirstNet use cases in tribal communities.

RESTON, Va., Aug. 7, 2017 – Montana is moving to advance first responder communications. Today, Governor Steve Bullock announced his decision to accept the FirstNet and AT&T* plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public safety community. This will make Montana the 12th state or territory to “opt-in” to FirstNet and bring advanced technologies that will help first responders save lives and protect communities.