Devices

Sandusky, Ohio sees massive population swings — from a tight-knit community of 25,000 to thousands of visitors on peak summer weekends at Cedar Point and Lake Erie — putting pressur

Ensuring students enjoy their college experience safely is a top priority for campus safety officials at Delaware State University (DSU). At DSU, keeping students safe and first responders connected means making the FirstNet network — the nationwide network dedicated to emergency communication — a key part of its campus safety initiative. FirstNet helps ensure that students can reach university police at all times.

In June 2025, the FirstNet Authority participated in the quarterly 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) plenary meetings. The FirstNet Authority represents public safety’s needs and advocates for continued American leadership for public safety communications.

Public Affairs Specialist Molly Hahn joins FirstNet Authority Senior Device Engineer Barry Leitch to understand the basics of Mission Critical Push-to-Talk and its capabilities. Learn how this technology enables instant, reliable communication for public safety— helping teams coordinate in real time, stay connected during emergencies, and enhance operational safety.

In March 2025, the FirstNet Authority participated in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 6G workshop, followed by the quarterly 3GPP plenary meetings. The workshop and meetings focused on progressing features important to public safety. The FirstNet Authority continued to represent public safety interests.

EMS personnel must be able to rely on their communications — especially during worst-case scenarios. Assistant Chief Troy Harmison of Bondurant Emergency Services in Iowa shared how a communications failure at a critical moment changed how his agency managed communications.

When the fiber connection for public safety cameras failed during a major race weekend in Newton, Iowa, Jasper County emergency management turned to FirstNet. Broadband brought critical situational awareness back to responders, ensuring they could keep fans safe.

Sudden cardiac events are the top cause of firefighter death. The District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department is testing a wearable device to track the cardiac health of its training class. Deputy Fire Chief Shawn talks about what they are learning from the pilot program and what they hope to achieve.

Biometrics and wearables are ushering in a new wave of public safety technologies. These innovations have the potential to greatly improve the health and safety of firefighters — and get us closer to the goal of zero deaths or injuries.

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.

When an underground fire led to a total power outage in downtown Baltimore, first responders found themselves in the dark and without radio communications. The Baltimore City Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and deployed FirstNet devices for the first time--within minutes, they were communicating and coordinating response. In the months since, the agency has integrated FirstNet into daily operations, helping deputies capture data in the field, maintain communications during long prisoner transports across Maryland, and tackle innovative approaches to law enforcement.

After an underground fire cut power and disabled radio communications in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office relied on FirstNet devices to maintain contact and coordinate emergency response. The experience marked the first deployment of FirstNet and initiated the agency’s transition to using broadband for daily operations. FirstNet has since helped the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office improve field reporting, stay connected during long prisoner transports, and enhance officer safety.

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 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.

Volunteer firefighters are the heart of our nation’s fire services community. Volunteer agencies are often smaller, rural, and have fewer resources. FirstNet offers several ways that help volunteer agencies level the playing field, including the Toms River Fire Department in New Jersey and the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department in California.

Tangier is a tiny, remote island in the Chesapeake Bay off the coast of Virginia. When local landlines were scheduled to be down, emergency management officials worked with their partners across the state to deploy a FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployable to keep the island’s first responders and residents connected in case of emergency.

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.

Elizabeth, Colorado, is a rural area located in one of the state’s fastest-growing counties. To support communications and connect responders to the tools they need in the field, the Elizabeth Fire Protection District turned to FirstNet.

The Third Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP, held Plenary meetings in March 2024. The meetings highlighted progress reported in the 3GPP Radio Access Network and Core Terminal groups related to completing work in Release 18. Additionally, the Service and System Aspects group activities continued to focus on Release 19 as well as planning a 6G workshop in 2025.