FirstNet Authority’s staff, board members, and Public Safety Advisory Committee members reflect on the events of September 11, 2001. At the FirstNet Authority, our story is indelibly linked to 9/11. Our mission is to oversee a communications network – FirstNet – that was created in light of the events of 9/11 to give American first responders a reliable nationwide broadband network. The lives lost and the lives forever changed on September 11, 2001 are our reasons why. We will never forget.

The tragedies of 9/11 underscored fundamental problems with communication systems used by our nation’s first responders. In the 20 years since 9/11, technology has changed rapidly. Fortunately, dedicated public safety broadband offered by FirstNet is providing fire departments with powerful new capabilities and modernizing their communications.

Twenty years ago, the 9/11 terrorist attacks forever changed our nation – and set a new course for the way public safety communicates. The FirstNet Authority’s law enforcement expert, Harry Markley, reflects on his experiences on 9/11 and how today public safety communications are different with FirstNet, the nation’s public safety broadband network.

When sudden, intense rainfall caused flash flooding and washed out roads in Washington County, Maine, the county’s emergency management director was stranded in town and unable to physically reach the emergency operations center. FirstNet enabled her to remain connected to her staff and other officials to coordinate their response remotely.

The FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) held a business meeting to report on committee operations, the progress of strike teams and working groups, and FirstNet’s most recent accomplishments and activities.