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Photo of a 3GPP meeting room with people sitting at tables and working on computers, overlaid with gear icons and wireless network terminology: RAN, 5G, V2X, Core, MCdata.

This blog post is part of the "Tech Talk" series focused on the FirstNet Authority’s standards development activities to support public safety. This post recaps discussions linked to public safety and other related topics from the 3GPP Plenary meetings that were conducted online June 29 – July 3, 2020. The FirstNet Authority represented public safety interests at the Plenary meetings.

headshots over their names sit above the USA with the eastern region highlighted

The FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Advocacy team proactively reaches out to public safety to discuss FirstNet and elicit feedback and insight regarding their communication needs for public safety broadband and innovative technologies. In the East region, the team includes seven public safety advisors covering a geographically diverse region of 19 states.

Members of the Makah Tribe and First Responder Network Authority

The Makah Tribe has called the Pacific Northwest home for thousands of years. With over 1,100 square miles of land and sea to patrol and the looming threat of tsunamis, reliable communications are crucial for the tribe’s first responders. Like many tribes across Indian Country, the Makah Tribe is looking to FirstNet to help solve their communication challenges.

A first responder watches a video feed on a computer during an incident.

Public safety agencies must be prepared for anything during hurricane season. When a hurricane hits, it can cause severe damage to city buildings and cellular network infrastructure. FirstNet supports first responders, like Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in Florida, ensuring they can communicate during and after major storms.

A map of the U.S. in blue with the seven states and territories of the West region in white and headshots of the seven public safety advisors who represent those states.

The FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Advocacy team works hand-in-hand with public safety to make sure their needs are represented in the FirstNet network buildout and evolution. In the West region, seven public safety advisors cover seven states and territories and multiple public safety disciplines. Together they bring a wealth of expertise to their roles as public safety advocates.