Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson Jr. reflects on September 11 and the changes that day brought to our country and the public safety community.
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Responsible for patrolling a large section of Massachusetts's coastline, the Marblehead Harbormaster Department needs reliable communications on the water. Since 2022, the agency has used FirstNet to stay connected during day-to-day incidents and major events like America250. While on the department’s new patrol boat, the team’s FirstNet devices help keep the mobile command post connected to shore-based agencies from Salem to Boston.
Marion County’s use of FirstNet helps the Emergency Management Agency stay connected while preparing for and addressing natural disasters and other emergencies. Devices, such as cell phones, and platforms, like FirstNet Fusion, ensure responders can communicate with each other and the public from anywhere in the country.
Rapid City-Pennington County Emergency Management in South Dakota relies on FirstNet devices and deployables to maintain coverage across the urban and rural areas in their county. From large events at Mount Rushmore National Memorial to search-and-rescue efforts in remote parts of the county, FirstNet helps the small team respond to emergencies.
In June 2026, the FirstNet Authority participated in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Plenary in Singapore to advance global standards for the next generation of wireless systems, including 6G. The FirstNet Authority’s participation helps ensure that first responders will have access to mission-critical services as technology evolves.