Home to 187 miles of coastline, lush gardens, and cultural hotspots like Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has become one of the Top 10 most visited states. First responders must always be at the ready to protect and serve the state’s residents, as well as the millions of tourists who flock to the state annually. 

The First Responder Network Authority team recognizes the unique communications challenges that South Carolina first responders face. We have been working closely with South Carolina public safety officials since 2014, capturing their feedback and translating it into the design of the FirstNet network. During the development of state deployment plans, our team worked hand-in-hand with South Carolina leaders to ensure the plan was customized to address their needs, including:  

• Bringing the state's first responders the coverage they need when and where emergencies happen, including along South Carolina's coastline 
• Giving first responders access to dedicated network assets that can be deployed for additional coverage and support when needed 

Following this close collaboration, South Carolina 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. A sample of our 2019 engagements with South Carolina public safety officials included a press conference with the city of Columbia, participating in the FirstNet Educational Forum, and meeting with the South Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. 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.