First responders know all too well that emergencies and natural disasters can strike at any time. In 2018, communities across the nation were hit particularly hard – from Hurricanes Florence and Michael on the East Coast, to massive and destructive wildfires on the West Coast.

Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District (BMFPD) is a volunteer fire department that serves an area in the mountainous Front Range area just west of Boulder, Colorado.  Recently, a team of four BMFPD firefighters brought an attack engine to the FirstNet Authority offices in Boulder. 

Last week, the First Responder Network Authority held an Agency Operations and Technology Workshop in Tamuning, Guam, with nearly 80 public safety stakeholders in attendance.  Local, federal, and military agencies participated in the conference with representation from Guam’s Emergency Management, Fire, Police, DoD, and military.  Representatives from American Samoa and Hawaii also participated in the conference.

Todd Early is announced as the new Chair of First Responder Network Authority’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). Todd replaces Interim PSAC Chair Paul Patrick, who was named to the First Responder Network Authority Board. He brings more than 25 years of professional experience in public safety to this leadership role.

This year, the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) debuted new methods of working with the FirstNet Authority and its partner, AT&T, on advising their work towards the FirstNet mission.  With the FirstNet network realized in 2018, this is bringing a new focus and flurry of work and activity to the PSAC in their advisory role.