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An illuminated, large aerostat, or blimp, with the FirstNet Built with AT&T logo is being prepared to take flight at night in an open field.

In 2020, America’s first responders battled severe wildfires, the pandemic and one of the most active hurricane seasons on record. They are now on the frontlines of nationwide vaccination efforts. Watch a webinar with Congressional leadership, public safety, FirstNet Authority, and AT&T to learn how FirstNet supports these efforts. 

Headshot of John Hunt with gradient background of 9-1-1 call operator .

FirstNet Authority Senior 9-1-1/Emergency Communications Advisor John Hunt spent more than 35 years advancing public safety communications technology. At the FirstNet Authority, he works with emergency communications center personnel to understand how FirstNet can benefit operations and how mobile broadband will complement Next Generation 9-1-1 technologies.   

Electrical worker fixing telephone wire; EMS worker using smartphone in the back of an ambulance; volunteer fireman using tablet in front of fire engine; emergency manager looking at a map on a screen; sheriff watching fireworks; firefighter; 9-1-1 operator sitting at a computer

Every spring, we take time to honor those in emergency communications, the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and our nation’s public servants. Throughout April and May, we celebrate these brave men and women and thank them for their dedication, courage, and sacrifices.

CVHC’s Regional Healthcare Coordinating Centers provide emergency management and resource coordination during major events.

The Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition (CVHC) is one of six coalitions in the Commonwealth of Virginia and helps its membership plan, train, and respond to incidents and events in the region. FirstNet is supporting communications for CVHC during emergencies, in its response to COVID-19, and in preparation for large events and protests. 

A network radiates from a tower, a responder holding a smartphone points towards the tower

Over the last four years, this partnership between the FirstNet Authority and AT&T has brought together the very best in the public and private sectors with a singular focus on supporting public safety’s mission. Together, we are delivering on our commitment to the public safety community: to provide a single nationwide, interoperable network for the millions of police, fire, EMS, and public safety workers across the country. Last year, the FirstNet Authority Board directed our first investments for the network, which included initial upgrades to the FirstNet Core to enable access to 5G services for FirstNet subscribers. Today, we are pleased to join AT&T in announcing this initial investment is becoming a reality. FirstNet subscribers will have access to AT&T’s 5G mmWave spectrum in parts of 38 cities and more than 20 venues across the country beginning this month.