FirstNet for Maryland
(Maryland’s FirstNet buildout includes new cell sites in areas like Baltimore County, bringing increased coverage and capacity to first responders.)
Learn about FirstNet in your state/territory
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Maryland
Maryland first responders serve a variety of geographies and industries — from crabbing, boating, and tourism on the Eastern Shore to the trade that flows through the port of Baltimore to the high-tech corridors around Interstate 270 and Hunt Valley and through the swaths of farmland to the west of the state. Because Maryland borders the District of Columbia, its first responders are often called on to protect and serve not only in their own state, but also throughout the National Capital region.
The First Responder Network Authority team recognizes the unique communications challenges that Maryland first responders face. We have been working closely with Maryland public safety officials since 2014, capturing their feedback and working with AT&T, our network partner, to translate it into the design of the FirstNet network. During the development of state deployment plans, our team worked hand-in-hand with Maryland leaders to ensure the plan was customized to address their needs, including:
- Expanding coverage across the state, particularly in western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore
- Focusing on the state’s critical infrastructure in preparation for severe weather events
- Making solutions available to support the state’s large base of volunteer emergency responders
Following this close collaboration, Maryland chose to adopt the plan and “opt in” to FirstNet. Today, we continue to meet regularly with state and local officials to discuss their public safety broadband needs. In 2019 alone, our team met with Maryland public safety officials more than 40 times. Our engagements in Maryland included providing an update to the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, meetings with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, and holding a Central Maryland FirstNet Roadmap Workshop. Engagements like these are crucial to the ongoing success of the network and the advancement of public safety communications across the state and the nation.
Connect with our team of Public Safety Advisors to learn about FirstNet in your community.
As a 4th-generation firefighter and 20-year veteran, this technology and service brings us to a whole new level of fire suppression and marine emergencies. Based near the Chesapeake Bay, we’ve been able to get reliable coverage on land and on the water where we’ve previously struggled. And as a 100% volunteer organization, knowing our members can easily subscribe to public safety’s network – it’s changing the game for us.
