Coverage

Home to multiple U.S. Army commands, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, two federal law enforcement agencies, and even a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge, Redstone Arsenal requires seamless collaboration from its public safety community. Hear from Deputy Fire Chief Robert Simmons and Operations Specialist Marcel Chevalier of Redstone Arsenal Fire and Emergency Services, as they discuss how FirstNet keeps the base communicating. Explore how FirstNet supports federal operations at: FirstNet.Gov/Federal

In northeastern Kansas, volunteer firefighters respond to incidents that have increasingly grown more intense in the area. Bigger and faster fires mean dependable communications are key to protecting the community. Shawnee County Fire District #4 installed FirstNet High Power User Equipment and routers in their firetrucks, keeping firefighters connected across the rural landscape.

At Redstone Arsenal military base, secure lines of communication between federal partners are critical. Watch Operations Specialist Marcel Chevalier and Deputy Fire Chief Robert Simmons of Redstone Arsenal as they break down how FirstNet supports streamlined emergency communications on the military installation. Explore how FirstNet supports federal operations at: FirstNet.Gov/Federal

Redstone Arsenal is home to multiple U.S. Army commands, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, 2 federal law enforcement agencies, and even a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge. When there’s an emergency, it is critical that first responders on base can communicate across agencies, as well as with their counterparts from the surrounding area. They look to FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, to ensure seamless communication during complex federal public safety operations.

FirstNet is more than just a network— it’s a lifeline for first responders. But how does the FirstNet Authority ensure it stays in tune with their needs? Hear from public safety leaders Assistant Chief Chris Lombard, Chief (Ret.) Harlin McEwen, and State Coordinator Shawn Talmadge to learn how The Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), a group of diverse public safety experts, ensures the network’s evolution is shaped by the professionals who depend on it when it matters most.  

Law enforcement officers need to stay connected while doing their job — during extreme weather, among large crowds, inside buildings, or at the edge of the network’s reach. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Nebraska is taking advantage of multiple FirstNet solutions to support their everyday operations and get coverage where officers work.

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.

AT&T announced a new FirstNet cell site during a special event in Hagerstown, Maryland that featured federal and county officials, local public safety personnel, business leaders, and representatives from AT&T. This new site is part of AT&T and the FirstNet Authority’s 10-year, $8+ billion investment commitment into the FirstNet network – including launching 1,000 new cell sites to further expand the reach of public safety’s dedicated Band 14 spectrum across the country by the end of 2025.

Access to broadband on tribal lands has long been a challenge for tribal public safety officials. Through ongoing investments in coverage for tribal and rural areas, as well as continued partnerships with tribal leadership, the FirstNet Authority remains committed to improving coverage and ensuring the FirstNet network meets the needs of responders in Indian Country.

FirstNet provides first responders with reliable and secure communications. The Clark County Fire Department in Las Vegas, Nevada relies on FirstNet for routine service calls, as well as major events such as the Big Game, the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the Electric Daisy Carnival.

At the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival near Las Vegas, a combination of FirstNet, innovative technologies, and comprehensive planning kept EMS operational in a challenging environment. Cody Snow, president of Prevent Medical Solutions, a mobile medical system that specializes in event staffing, talked about solutions they use to support communications during these events.

The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, known as Meskwaki Nation, is the only federally recognized tribe in Iowa. The Meskwaki Police Department uses FirstNet for reliable connectivity across the reservation. FirstNet coverage helps tribal police officers communicate during everyday operations and planned events in the community, including the annual Powwow. 

The 2024 conventions from both U.S. political parties were supported by the FirstNet Authority’s pre-planning efforts. Party conventions are major national events, yet the same planning framework applies to smaller local events. The Network Experience Engagement Program is designed to meet the needs of public safety, whether planning for a major party convention, a pumpkin festival, or the homecoming parade.

The Third Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP, held Plenary meetings in September 2024. The meetings highlighted progress reported in the 3GPP Radio Access Network, Service and System Aspects, and Core Terminal groups focusing on the Release 19 work. The group also officially approved a study on 6G.

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.

The total solar eclipse in April brought massive crowds to 15 U.S. states in the path of totality. The FirstNet Authority began working with public safety officials two years in advance to incorporate broadband into their eclipse planning and support each state in unique ways to prepare for the influx of people

The story of America’s first responders on September 11 is a story of courage and sacrifice. The public safety community stood up for the American people and put the nation’s safety and security first. Today, we remember the tragedies of September 11 through our work at the FirstNet Authority. We are committed to delivering a network that keeps responders connected when it matters most.

A year of unprecedented disasters — including two major floods and a train derailment — brought unique challenges to rural Stillwater County, Montana. FirstNet supported communications and emergency management throughout these incidents, allowing responders to connect and collaborate during response and recovery efforts.

The First Responder Network Authority is moving forward on its plans to expand FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, and enhance coverage where first responders need it, including in tribal, territorial, and rural areas. The FirstNet Authority Board approved plans to advance a ten-year initiative in which the FirstNet Authority will make ongoing investments of approximately $2 billion to expand FirstNet and improve coverage for public safety users.

Pre-incident and event planning is one of the FirstNet Authority’s most popular and successful services in the Network Experience Engagement Program. The program is offered at no cost to help public safety agencies with pre-incident and event planning, post-incident and event reviews, and exercise planning. It is highly successful in supporting events, including the Super Bowl, collegiate basketball’s Final Four, and the Kentucky Derby.