In this first blog of a two-part series, Executive Director and CEO Joe Wassel reflects on his first 100 days at the FirstNet Authority. Following a coast-to-coast tour where he met with first responders, he shares his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications.

Thank everyone who came to 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit hosted by NIST PSCR and the First Responder Network Authority. Revisit three days of building the future of public safety communications together. 

FirstNet is an important resource for emergency managers, whether during disasters, everyday operations, or large planned events. FirstNet’s unique public safety features help emergency managers be more prepared, increase situational awareness, and better track assets and people. For better response and operations, emergency managers should know these five things about FirstNet.

The Patriot Award is a new award presented by the FirstNet Authority to individual first responders or public safety agencies that use FirstNet to make their communities safer. The inaugural award was presented to Chief Peter Burke of the Hyannis Fire Department in Massachusetts for contributions to advancing the operationalization of FirstNet and enhancing public safety in his community.

The FirstNet Authority Roadmap guides programs, activities, and investments to enhance FirstNet. The 2023 update to the Roadmap was created with feedback from public safety and aligns the FirstNet Authority’s efforts with the ongoing operational needs of responders.