Coverage

First responders across the country put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe. Our nation’s public safety community is at the heart of the FirstNet Authority’s mission. On October 28, we recognize their sacrifices and contributions on National First Responders Day.

Public safety personnel in Colorado are leveraging FirstNet’s high-quality Band 14 spectrum and 5G connectivity to keep their rural and urban communities connected and safe. FirstNet’s advancement of public safety interests also involves working with the Safer Building Coalition, an advocacy group aimed at ensuring reliable in-building communication capabilities for first responders.

With a FirstNet network expansion underway in Minnesota, first responders will experience improved coverage and network capacity. The Band 14 infrastructure implemented by FirstNet, which is a dedicated spectrum set aside by the federal government, is helping to ensure reliable coverage, and is advancing public safety across the country.

The Dallas Police Department in Georgia is the first in the state—and one of the first in the country—to completely switch from land mobile radios (LMR) to public safety broadband for their communications. Dallas Police Chief Joe Duvall shared how they made the decision to switch and how it’s going so far.

First responders in Northern Minnesota are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet network expansion currently underway by AT&T

First responders in Maryland are benefiting from FirstNet’s expanding coverage, boosted capacity, and new capabilities. FirstNet’s Band 14 infrastructure is bringing public safety agencies nationwide access to the network’s unique features and functions.

First responders in Northern Minnesota are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet network expansion currently underway by AT&T

Deputy Chief Gavin Babieracki of Otsego County EMS Rescue shares his experience responding when a tornado struck his community, a rare event in northern Michigan. Though the tornado was unexpected, Babieracki and his team were prepared with FirstNet and other technologies to keep first responders connected throughout the disaster.

First responders in northern Minnesota are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet network expansion currently underway by AT&T.

In St. Augustine, Florida, public safety officials navigate obstacles ranging from antiquated infrastructure causing connectivity issues to saturated networks due to tourism and special events. With the adoption of FirstNet, the police department, fire department, and other city agencies are using the network to reliably communicate throughout the oldest city in the country.

First responders in Pennsylvania are benefiting from FirstNet’s expanding coverage, boosted capacity, and new capabilities. FirstNet’s Band 14 infrastructure is bringing public safety agencies nationwide access to the network’s unique features and functions.

During September, we remember the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks and recognize National Preparedness Month. These events serve as poignant reminders that emergencies can happen at any time, and it is critical for first responders to be prepared. The FirstNet Authority is working to strengthen emergency preparedness through ensuring the men and women of public safety can communicate when and where disaster strikes.

FirstNet is furthering critical communications for first responders by expanding 5G, boosting dedicated in-building connectivity, and enhancing 9-1-1 resiliency across Tennessee with FirstNet as a wireless backup.

The FirstNet Authority has made it a priority to bring broadband to all first responders — local, state, federal, and tribal. The FirstNet Authority is helping tribal nations integrate broadband into public safety operations by developing guidance and collaborating on best practices with tribal organizations like the Indian Gaming Association.

One thing the 9-1-1 community learned from the pandemic was the need to plan for alternate ways to work. Rather than be tied to workstations at fixed locations, 9-1-1 telecommunicators need flexibility to remotely take, dispatch, and supervise calls. 9-1-1 leaders looked to technology for a solution. Through FirstNet, the nationwide public-safety broadband network, first responders had access to a secure, reliable connection outside of the ECC. 

New York’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to new purpose-built FirstNet cells site launched in Oneida County.

The First Responder Network Authority Board approved a $358 million budget package to fund the agency’s operations and potential network investments in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Meeting in Los Angeles, the Board allocated the majority of the FY23 budget for enhancements and upgrades to FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.

First responders in Wisconsin are benefiting from FirstNet’s expanding coverage, boosted capacity, and new capabilities. FirstNet’s Band 14 infrastructure is bringing public safety agencies nationwide access to the network’s Band 14 unique features and functions.

First responders in Texas are benefiting from FirstNet’s expanding coverage, boosted capacity, and new capabilities. FirstNet’s Band 14 infrastructure is bringing public safety agencies nationwide access to the network’s unique 5G features and functions.

First responders in Michigan are benefiting from FirstNet’s expanding coverage, boosted capacity, and new capabilities. FirstNet’s Band 14 infrastructure is bringing public safety agencies nationwide access to the network’s unique 5G features and functions.