Each spring, the St. Thomas Carnival transforms the U.S. Virgin Islands into a vibrant showcase of culture, community, and tradition. Drawing over 10,000 attendees, the weeklong celebration features lively parades, water sports, traditional food, and music.
With large crowds, simultaneous events, and the island’s unique topography, public safety can become a complex undertaking. To ensure smooth communication between first responders, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ public safety community enlisted support from the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) Network Engagement Experience Program (NEEP) to prepare for the annual event.
Overcoming communication and coordination challenges
Organizers of the 73rd annual Carnival knew that operations would require at least 12 public safety agencies working in tandem throughout the week. In past years, the influx of visitors and increased demand on public safety communications strained broadband capabilities.
While many local agencies and individual FirstNet subscribers used the network during response efforts for Hurricane Ernesto, they had not yet tapped into the operational planning support available from the FirstNet Authority. With a large festival turnout expected in 2025, officials sought pre-event guidance from the FirstNet Authority to strengthen interagency collaboration ahead of Carnival.
Strategic support through NEEP
NEEP is offered at no cost to help subscribing agencies with pre-incident and event planning, post-incident and event reviews, and exercise planning. During event planning, the FirstNet Authority team works with agencies to determine what communications look like for the event. The team examines where responders will be operating, what broadband capabilities will be used, and which technologies are needed at various locations.
The team can also look at FirstNet’s coverage and capacity to determine if any supplemental options are needed. Through our public-private partnership, we work with FirstNet AT&T to provide information about coverage and capacity needs before they become a challenge.
Laying the groundwork for reliable communication
In advance of Carnival, FirstNet Authority staff worked alongside local agencies such as the Bureau of Corrections, Bureau of Information Technology, Police Department, Port Authority, and Territorial Emergency Management Agency. Together, they mapped out communications needs for various events, including a boat race, food fair, and multiple parades.
“We appreciated the opportunity to work with the FirstNet Authority to assist with pre-planning for the Carnival event on St. Thomas,” said Jonathan Tucker, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Information Technology for the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We're used to planning for the public safety communications for the event, but broadband is expanding the possibilities of what we can do to enhance the experience for the public and first responders.”
After evaluating the coverage footprint and existing infrastructure, the team confirmed that no deployable assets were needed. Further, the team determined that devices using FirstNet would support the necessary group messaging and calls critical for communication during each event.
On-site support for event operations
Following pre-planning, the FirstNet Authority was on site to provide support throughout the week of Carnival. By monitoring network performance in real time, the team stood ready to coordinate with AT&T should any issues arise.
On scene, the NEEP team also demonstrated key network tools for public safety, such as the FirstNet Uplift Request Tool. The tool can elevate extended primary users — the larger community non-traditional public safety users, such as public works, utilities, and hospitals — during incidents or events when the network may get congested. The team also showed how to use FirstNet Central to access more network features.
During Carnival, Jonathan Tucker, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Information Technology for the U.S. Virgin Islands said, “The FirstNet network, for us, is an opportunity to do things we never could before.” From enhancing in-building coverage to assisting before, during, and after an emergency, it’s a key tool for public safety communications in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
