Texas

At the 2020 Winter Institute Workshop and Exercise, hosted by the Texas A&M University’s Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center, public safety officials practiced integrating new technologies, including a FirstNet deployable, into disaster operations during a simulated cyberattack. Participants included unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) teams from Florida State University, which integrated their UAS with the deployable to share information with command posts.

The Muleshoe Police Department in Texas uses FirstNet to run duty phones and tablets, enhancing communications and improving interoperability.

Lindale Independent School District in Texas uses FirstNet to connect its fleet of school buses in case of emergencies.

The Brazos County Sheriff's Office in Texas uses FirstNet to turn their police vehicles into mobile offices and stream dashboard video back to headquarters. 

The FirstNet Authority Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) held its bi-annual meeting in Austin, TX, where more than 20 PSAC members gathered to discuss 2019 activities and accomplishments and 2020 goals and initiatives. Kenzie Capece, FirstNet Authority Senior Public Safety Advisor, recaps the conversation on the FirstNet Authority Roadmap and special presentations from FirstNet, Built with AT&T, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced today the appointment of two leaders in public safety and law enforcement to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority.

Through FirstNet’s extended primary user program, schools, hospitals, and other non-traditional public safety entities can benefit from everything the network has to offer. FirstNet helped one such extended primary user, Texas City Independent School District, communicate during two incidents.

The FirstNet Authority joined public safety leaders at Texas A&M University Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center’s (ITEC) 2019 Winter Institute Workshop and Exercise. During the exercise, FirstNet was used to demonstrate how the network could enhance operational communications during an earthquake scenario. 

In the latest episode of the Public Safety First podcast, guest host and First Responder Network Authority, Director of Field Operations (Northcentral Region) Lesia Dickson is joined by officials from Texas City (Tx.) to discuss their “whole of community” approach to emergency communications and the use of FirstNet to enhance school safety efforts. 

At the Texas A&M University Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center’s 2019 Winter Institute Workshop and Exercise, first responders trained on how to respond during an earthquake. FirstNet was used to enhance operational communications during a simulated natural disaster.

In this episode, Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) Chair Todd Early shares his thoughts on the future of the network and the critical role public safety will play in shaping the FirstNet Authority’s Roadmap for advancing the network.

During the 2018 college basketball championship in San Antonio, the Southwest Texas Fusion Center used FirstNet to monitor live data coming from officers in the field and security cameras. With a reliable network connection, first responders were able to quickly and securely send data and respond to incidents.

The First Responder Network Authority’s mission is to be a catalyst for advancing the nationwide public safety broadband network. As part of the launch of our roadmap engagement program, we were pleased to co-host a Public Safety Innovation Day on March 6 in College Station, Texas.