At a recent public safety broadband forum, first responders, public administrators, and IT support personnel from the State of Arizona gathered to discuss FirstNet, its impact on public safety broadband needs, and the FirstNet Authority Roadmap.

February 16, 1968 was a momentous day for public safety — it marked the first time a 9-1-1 call was ever made. In the five decades since, emergency communication centers and their dedicated teams of telecommunicators have become the first touchpoint for emergency response.

The aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City highlighted the critical need for dependable communications among first responders during emergencies and disasters.

As part of our Roadmap Engagements, the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) Public Safety Advocacy (PSA) team was pleased to recently hold a Mission Critical Services Workshop in Fairfax County, VA.

FirstNet deployables were used by the Yankton Sioux Tribe Police Department in South Dakota, where rough terrain physically limits LTE coverage. During a critical search-and-rescue mission, the department reached out to the FirstNet Authority and AT&T, which deployed a SatCOLT within hours.