The Los Angeles Police Department, one of the biggest police departments in the country, is modernizing its communications and issuing FirstNet devices to all of its almost 10,000 officers. Through FirstNet’s reliable and secure connection, officers will be able to spend less time at the station doing paperwork and more time in the field with their community.

First responders are using FirstNet Authority’s virtual reality test center to set-up and engage in immersive emergency response training. This cost-efficient training simulation enables public safety officials to cultivate their skillset in a non-hazardous environment.  

The FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Immersive Test Center uses augmented and virtual reality to test equipment in simulated experiences and to develop methodologies for real world emergencies. The test center is used by multiple public safety agencies to train and educate first responders.

AT&T, in collaboration with Intrado, introduced a location-based routing feature in New Mexico that enables 911 dispatch centers to pinpoint the exact location where a 911 emergency call was placed. This service works by utilizing the GPS of the phone that made the call and connecting it with the closest 911 dispatch center so that public safety officials can identify the incident location swiftly and precisely. 

The only nationwide public safety broadband network, FirstNet, which was created in 2012 is celebrating a decade of public safety accomplishments. Tom Shull, FirstNet’s Director of Legislative Affairs, details some of FirstNet’s major accomplishments throughout the years and provides insight on the future of the organization and it’s continued plans to advance public safety.