5x5

In October of 2024, the North Carolina 911 Board deployed the FirstNet Wireless Redundant Solution to a public safety answering point (PSAP) whose infrastructure was obliterated by Hurricane Helene. The PSAP received and processed 911 calls for one month using FirstNet connectivity. Renee Gordon, Pokey Harris, Tom Rogers, and Josh Briggs share best practices and lessons learned from rolling out this solution across North Carolina, live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit.  

Public safety tech leader Bill Schrier was presented with the Chief Harlin McEwen Award for his exceptional leadership and contributions to public safety broadband communications. Throughout his career, he has worked to modernize communication systems, improve interoperability, and advocate for public safety’s needs with every innovation. Join the FirstNet Authority as we honor and celebrate him. Learn more: https://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/press-releases/former-washington-state-seattle-tech-leader-bill-schrier-receives-national

The First Responder Network Authority awarded Bill Schrier the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award (Harlin McEwen Award) for his leadership and contributions to advancing broadband communications for public safety.

The First Responder Network Authority presented the Patriot Award to six distinguished leaders in public safety, recognizing their innovative use of broadband technologies to protect and safeguard their communities.

In 2024, the FirstNet Authority took bold and decisive actions to evolve FirstNet and make FirstNet the best possible network for first responders. In 2025, the FirstNet Authority will continue to advance strategic investments, expand coverage across the nation, and build relationships with public safety leaders.

The evolution of technology has changed the landscape of search and rescue missions — clearing radio airwaves for essential traffic and mission critical information. Travis Hull, Kate Cummings, Ben Lawrence, and Jason Day explore how broadband solutions have increased operation efficiencies, live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit. 

A new space race has launched — this time in the cellular world. The FirstNet Authority’s Jeff Bratcher and Pat Schwinghammer, AT&T’s Mohammad Baig, and Gypsum Fire Chief Justin Kirkland discuss what satellite-to-device services could mean for public safety live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit.

Recorded live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit, this dynamic panel features leaders with expertise leading international public safety broadband network deployments.

5x5 is coming to the Pacific Northwest in 2025! 

Successful response to a suspicious package incident relies on good communications. Technology can make a difference in ensuring response teams have the most up-to-date information. FirstNet technologies can help with a coordinated, connected, and safe response.

Leading voices in public safety communications will keynote the 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit this summer in Chicago. Summit hosts announced the speakers as part of an agenda that includes over 70 technology demonstrations and more than 40 plenaries and breakout sessions. This year’s 5x5 will take place June 25-27, 2024, at the Fairmont Chicago Millenium Park.

This June in Chicago, Illinois, two agencies within the U.S. Department of Commerce are coming together to advance communications technology for public safety. FirstNet Authority and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Public Safety communication Research Division (NIST PSCR) will host the second annual 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit, where leaders in public safety, government, industry, and academia will collaborate to build the future of public safety technology.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Annual Report to Congress highlights the achievements and continued progress that the FirstNet Authority has made throughout FY 2023. Details of the FirstNet Authority’s milestone successes in ensuring the deployment of the FirstNet network and securing the renewal of its Band 14 license by the Federal Communications Commission demonstrate a continued commitment to innovation and serving our nation’s public safety community.

The FirstNet Authority’s public-private partnership with AT&T achieved a major milestone by completing the initial network buildout in all 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia. This buildout serves as a launching pad for the future of FirstNet, or FirstNet 3.0. Executive Director Joe Wassel identifies three keys to success in evolving the network in a way that is strategic and meets public safety’s needs.

The FirstNet Authority convened a cohort of emergency management professionals from across the country to tell us about how FirstNet works in the real world. This group provided valuable feedback about how they currently use FirstNet for emergency management, the challenges they’ve faced, and what they’d like to see in the future.

5x5 ― the confirmation of a strong and clear signal ― and the place to make your voice heard and drive public safety communications forward.  

In this first blog of a two-part series, Executive Director and CEO Joe Wassel reflects on his first 100 days at the FirstNet Authority. Following a coast-to-coast tour where he met with first responders, he shares his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications.

Thank everyone who came to 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit hosted by NIST PSCR and the First Responder Network Authority. Revisit three days of building the future of public safety communications together. 

Nearly 500 thought leaders from public safety, government, industry, and academia came together to talk about the future of public safety communications. As we close out on the inaugural 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit, we thank all those who attended and made their voices heard. Stay tuned for news about next year's conference at FirstNet.gov/5x5!

5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit, a reimagined summit for public safety, academia, government, and industry leaders, hosted by The FirstNet Authority and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Public Safety Communications Research Division, begins today. We hope you'll join us in exploring the future of first responder technology, connecting with industry leaders, engaging in can't-miss sessions led by some of the top minds in public safety, and more. Learn more and register now: https://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/events/5x5-public-safety-innovation-summit