Preparedness

As mobile broadband communications become increasingly embedded in public safety operations, states are updating policy and process documents to account for this new way of communicating. The Missouri Department of Public Safety updated the Missouri Field Operations Guide, a statewide reference tool that outlines established and trusted interoperable communications solutions for first responders, to include FirstNet.

This blog is a repost from Homeland Preparedness News, originally published on September 17, 2019. The original article can be accessed here.

Throughout the month of September, we recognize FEMA’s annual preparedness campaign to promote readiness in the wake of a disaster. FirstNet Authority’s Director of Field Operations for FirstNet North-Central Region, Lesia Dickson outlines how FirstNet is a vital tool that public safety can rely on when planning for emergencies.

First responders in Pennington County, South Dakota, operate in a remote county with unique terrain. With FirstNet bringing new tower infrastructure, deployables, and a reliable network connection, deputies with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office are able to move data and information quickly and securely.

When mudslides threatened Hawkins County in March 2019, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security used a FirstNet deployable to restore communications and stream video back to the Transportation Management Center in Knoxville.

Spartanburg School District 2 became the first school district in the state of South Carolina to join FirstNet. School resource officers, principals, and administrators have FirstNet devices that allow them to communicate with first responders quickly and securely in the event of an emergency.