Coverage

Maine is undertaking a statewide project to install FirstNet in all its ambulances — to keep them connected and communicating wherever the call takes them. Integrating FirstNet into ambulances improves pre-hospital care and safety for patients, responders, vehicles, and roads.

FirstNet Authority Board member Undersheriff Sylvia Moir discusses how FirstNet, the public safety broadband network, is aiding first responders in reducing harm and safeguarding communities. Learn how the network supports first responders on the frontline everyday at FirstNet.gov.

Las Vegas public safety agencies spent months planning for the first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix race and hosting football’s biggest game of the year. As part of their preparations, the Clark County Fire Department and other Las Vegas public safety agencies worked with the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program. Through a collaborative planning process, FirstNet ensured first responders were prepared for these major planned events, as well as an unexpected avalanche just north of the city.

Firefighters need specialized communication tools when battling wildland fires, especially when they threaten wildland urban interfaces. FirstNet was designed for public safety operations and has unique tools for fighting fires in the wildland urban interface, including versatile deployables and high-power user equipment.

The U.S. Pacific territories — American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam — are home to a quarter million Americans. Located thousands of miles from the mainland, these territories are among the most remote regions in the nation. The FirstNet Authority sent a delegation to all three island territories to discuss the current status of FirstNet in the territories and to further understand their public safety operations and emergency communications needs.

In rural Elbert County, Colorado, a lack of connectivity posed serious safety risks for deputies and those they serve. Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton addressed these communication challenges and brought his deputies better technology by switching to FirstNet, the broadband network dedicated to public safety. This enables faster, safer responses.

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.

SatCOLTS are a popular offering in the FirstNet deployables fleet, but the fleet has more to offer than just big trucks with tall antennas. Some of the newest options in the FirstNet fleet offer flexible, versatile coverage options that can help with a wide variety of response scenarios.

The FirstNet Authority team joined staff from AT&T to spend a January afternoon confirming that Allegiant Stadium in Nevada had broadband connectivity from top to bottom for the Big Game. Events like this are major tests for FirstNet, and the FirstNet Authority team has put in long hours to ensure that FirstNet passes with flying colors.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) held Plenary meetings in December 2023 focused on the feature progress for Release 18, planning for Release 19, and preliminary discussions for Release 20. During these meetings, the FirstNet Authority served as an active participant working to develop standards for mission critical services.

The FirstNet Authority Emergency Management Guide was developed by experts in FirstNet solutions and emergency management operations to help public safety plan for events or incidents. The guide is a comprehensive outlook for incorporating broadband into your communication plans and emergency management efforts. The September 2023 version of the guide features new sections highlighting FirstNet features important to public safety.

The FirstNet Authority works to ensure FirstNet reaches all responders, including those operating on tribal lands. The network is extending coverage into Indian Country's most rural parts and ensuring that tribal responders have the tools to perform their mission critical work. As the network evolves, FirstNet Authority tribal liaison Jasper Bruner plays a pivotal role in advocating for the communications needs of tribal communities.

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 completion of the initial five-year buildout of FirstNet represents a defining accomplishment for public safety’s network. With the initial buildout completed, the First Responder Network Authority is shifting to the next phase of evolving, enhancing, and expanding FirstNet, focusing on constant innovation to ensure first responders can reliably communicate and access advanced, purpose-built solutions to keep both themselves and their communities safe.

The FirstNet Authority works hand in hand with public safety to collect feedback on the network and their communications needs. First responders gathered for the FirstNet Users Summit in Sacramento, California to share their real-world experience using FirstNet. The FirstNet Authority uses public safety’s insights to ensure the network offers the right tools and services to meet their technical and operational needs.

In dealing with highly impactful yet rare occurrences, like a global pandemic or a Category 5 hurricane, public safety agencies are making use of FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network designed for first responders. These high-priority, low-frequency events have enabled the implementation of remote 9-1-1 call-taking, tactical dispatch, and the incorporation of FirstNet as a wireless backup for 9-1-1 systems. These initiatives help ensure dependable emergency communications during major events and incidents.

When a dangerous wildfire tore through rural areas of Somervell County, Texas, the local fire department, and sheriff's office quickly mobilized to tackle the unfolding crisis. The response to the fire –named the Chalk Mountain wildfire – was hindered by the rugged terrain and intensity, which created issues with maintaining coverage. Recognizing the urgent need for a dependable and secure connection, Assistant Fire Chief of the Somervell County Fire Department of the Somervell Sheriff’s Office requested a FirstNet SatCOLT. This FirstNet network asset was pivotal to supporting communications and data sharing among responding agencies.

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.

During the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Plenary’s September 2023 meetings, there was continued progress on Release 18, including features of interest for public safety and the development on the stage 3 protocol work. Additionally, the meetings included planning on Release 19 features and the start of preliminary discussions for Release 20.

The FirstNet Authority joined New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn, AT&T, and other public safety officials at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to mark several milestones in the state’s buildout of FirstNet. The event took place in advance of National First Responders Day (October 28th), a chance to recognize members of public safety and highlight efforts to support them, such as the ongoing collaboration between the State of New Hampshire and FirstNet, Built with AT&T