As the nation continues to face the effects of COVID-19, call centers have had adjust their operations in order to maintain communications for 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 calls, while keeping their employees safe. Thanks to FirstNet, the Office of Unified Communications has been able to continue operating safely and securely.

Thirty-year fire service veteran and board member for the FirstNet Authority Brian Crawford knows firsthand the impact that innovative communications technology has for our nation’s first responders. In this time of national crisis, it is imperative that public safety benefits from interoperability and stable coverage to keep agencies working at their best.

After the tragedies of September 11, 2001 highlighted fundamental issues within the nation’s first responder communications systems, the 9/11 Commission recommended creating a single, nationwide broadband network for public safety. The FirstNet Authority was created through the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act to carry out that recommendation. Today, the FirstNet Authority is working to keep public safety connected during every emergency.

The FirstNet Authority is excited to participate in the National Association of Emergency Medical Technician’s World Trauma Symposium virtual conference. FirstNet Authority staff will host a virtual booth to share information and answer questions about how FirstNet supports emergency medical services.

On August 17, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the appointment of Robert Tipton (Tip) Osterthaler to serve as Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board. With decades of experience in both the public and private sector, he shares how he will work with public safety and draw on the strengths of FirstNet’s unique public-private partnership to enhance public safety’s network.