Want to simplify your deployable requests? Curious about how to build a license cache to support wildfire response? Or how to leverage TAK for shared situational awareness?
Get your questions answered in the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) new resource for public safety: the FirstNet Operations Manual.
Introducing the FirstNet Operations Manual
The FirstNet Operations Manual is a comprehensive, user-friendly reference designed for all disciplines of public safety — including emergency management, law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and 9-1-1/emergency communications. The manual provides an overview of FirstNet tools, technologies, and solutions available and is designed to help public safety agencies integrate FirstNet into their operations.
Whether you work in the field, coordinate from an Emergency Operations Center, or manage a Public Safety Answering Point, turn to this reference for relevant, actionable information to help you get the most out of FirstNet.
Built for public safety by public safety experts
The FirstNet Operations Manual was developed by subject matter experts in both FirstNet solutions and public safety. The FirstNet Authority’s Emergency Management Cohort, made up of active responders from across the country, reviewed the manual to offer improvements and suggestions. Each section is informed by their input, ensuring that content is practical, relevant, and useful.
The manual is designed to help public safety professionals quickly find answers to questions. It can be read in its entirety but is designed to be a flexible reference tool. With one-page overviews, worksheets, and topic-specific guidance, readers can easily navigate to find answers to specific questions. Quick reference “tear-out” pages can be printed or removed from the manual for easy access.
What’s inside the manual?
The manual covers everything from the basics of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) to more advanced topics, like:
- How to access FirstNet support from both the FirstNet Authority and AT&T.
- An overview of the FirstNet deployables program.
- Coverage solutions to help agencies extend FirstNet service in their jurisdictions.
- Redundancy planning using FirstNet solutions and systems like ESInets.
- Mission-critical services, including push-to-talk over FirstNet.
- FirstNet Central tools that provide account management and network insights.
- Operationalizing network capabilities for day-to-day and emergency response.
- Improving interoperability across multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
- Asset and data management guidance to support incident response.
Every section also includes practical examples and reference links to additional resources, making it easy for users to dive deeper into specific topics. It can be used as a reference to refresh skills or answer questions when they arise.
Supporting first responders in every scenario
The FirstNet Authority understands that no two emergencies are alike. That’s why we created this manual — to provide public safety professionals with the knowledge, tools, and resources to use FirstNet effectively in different situations. Whether organizing response from the field, managing communications for daily operations, or ensuring interoperability during a major event, this guide is designed to support responders in the unique situations they face.
Do you have any suggestions on how we could improve the FirstNet Operations Manual? Email us at info@FirstNet.gov.
