Disasters are no stranger to Marion County, Illinois, and its residents this year. This resilient rural community has faced a vicious tornado season. Historically, Illinois could expect just 50 tornadoes a year. In 2026, the state broke its own record for most tornadoes in a year, reaching 178 documented tornadoes by July.
As the county manages an unprecedented number of severe storms, Andrew Strong, Director of Marion County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) appreciates having FirstNet to ensure the agency’s communications remain intact, even amid destruction. “Out of 100-something tornadoes in Illinois this past year, we have never lost FirstNet coverage,” he said. That’s important, because when tornadoes strike, cell phone service is usually one of the first things to get dismantled.
The priority is staying connected
On April 27, 2026, Strong experienced first-hand FirstNet’s ability to be interoperable, no matter the time or location. He was traveling to Boulder, Colorado, for a trip to the Boulder FirstNet Lab — just as an F1 tornado was headed for Marion County. Strong was monitoring conditions closely on his FirstNet phone, receiving updates in Boulder from his teammates in Illinois as twisters made landfall.
“I was glued to my FirstNet phone, getting real-time updates from the National Weather Service, while simultaneously leading conference calls with the emergency management team, all in preparation for the severe weather expected that evening,” he said.
No matter where Marion County’s EMA staff are in the country, it is imperative that they have a stable connection on their phone. They are responsible for informing Marion County’s residents of the severity of storms and the process for evacuation through the county-wide alert system and social media, which is all done using FirstNet phones.
During this historic tornado season, FirstNet’s reliable coverage allowed Strong and his team to post warnings to evacuate or shelter in place. He also relies on FirstNet connectivity to activate outdoor sirens throughout the county from anywhere, regardless of weather conditions or the location of the person activating the sirens.
No longer limited
One of the newest FirstNet features that’s made a difference for Marion County is Fusion, a mission-critical communications platform that connects teams across wireless and land mobile radio (LMR) networks with push-to-talk and secure messaging. What makes Fusion unique is its ability to function on the FirstNet network or in a multi-carrier environment. This platform serves as a universal gateway, providing live, encrypted communications and push-to-talk functionality across LMR systems.
Fusion was put to the test while Strong and his agency assisted after a fatal vehicle accident, shutting down a three-quarter-mile stretch of the road in both directions. The county agency assisted the Illinois State Police while they investigated the crash and helped manage traffic. Strong said he and his team members used FirstNet Fusion to communicate and to share updates without worrying about others tuning into the channel, which can happen over conventional radio systems.
“There were a lot of moving parts and pieces. From the towing company coming to remove the wrecked vehicle, to the utility company repairing the downed power line, to the county coroner’s office retrieving the victim, we had to look at the bigger picture so everybody could do their work,” said Strong. “With everyone able to use the same Fusion platform, it was like a slam dunk.”
And with nationwide service on FirstNet, Strong can communicate easily with individuals who have boots on the ground. “The connection is crystal clear”, he said. With FirstNet and the FirstNet Fusion program, everyone who needs to communicate can do so from anywhere.