Rural

In Corning, New York, first responders and local government agencies use FirstNet to enhance public safety and connectivity across city departments.

In Corning, New York, local leaders are finding new ways to enhance public safety and improve communications across city departments with FirstNet. From real-time body camera streaming to improved data access in emergency vehicles, FirstNet is transforming how the city delivers public safety services while saving money and expanding coverage.

Swain County, North Carolina’s rugged terrain and remote geography have long presented challenges for first responders who depend on communications to protect residents and visitors. With the addition of a new FirstNet cell tower and integrating the network as a wireless backup solution, the Swain County Emergency Communication Center and surrounding public safety agencies now benefit from expanded coverage and improved backup connectivity.

Expanding broadband access on tribal lands is critical to strengthening public safety and supporting the tribal communities they serve. The FirstNet Authority remains committed to improving coverage in tribal and rural areas through ongoing network investments and close collaboration with tribal leadership. Now, Coverage Enhancement Workshops are playing a key role in ensuring the network meets the unique needs of responders in Indian Country.

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deployed a FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD) to Gold Hill, a remote area with poor cellular coverage, to maintain emergency 9 -1-1 connectivity during a planned power outage. The CRD ensured people could still access help, regardless of their carrier, and allowed responders to communicate while responding to incidents.

With many rural jurisdictions in South Dakota experiencing degraded land mobile radio coverage in remote areas, the state of South Dakota began exploring how FirstNet Mission Critical Push-to-Talk could help address coverage, capacity, and interoperability limitations. By integrating this broadband solution with the statewide radio communications system to streamline emergency communications, South Dakota is using FirstNet-MCPTT to address interoperability challenges and expand radio capabilities.

The FirstNet Authority works with public safety to ensure they have reliable coverage. Learn about the FirstNet solutions that are available to keep responders connected, wherever emergencies happen.

In northeastern Kansas, volunteer firefighters respond to incidents that have increasingly grown more intense in the area. Bigger and faster fires mean dependable communications are key to protecting the community. Shawnee County Fire District #4 installed FirstNet High Power User Equipment and routers in their firetrucks, keeping firefighters connected across the rural landscape.

Access to broadband on tribal lands has long been a challenge for tribal public safety officials. Through ongoing investments in coverage for tribal and rural areas, as well as continued partnerships with tribal leadership, the FirstNet Authority remains committed to improving coverage and ensuring the FirstNet network meets the needs of responders in Indian Country.

A new space race has launched — this time in the cellular world. The FirstNet Authority’s Jeff Bratcher and Pat Schwinghammer, AT&T’s Mohammad Baig, and Gypsum Fire Chief Justin Kirkland discuss what satellite-to-device services could mean for public safety live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit.

The total solar eclipse in April brought massive crowds to 15 U.S. states in the path of totality. The FirstNet Authority began working with public safety officials two years in advance to incorporate broadband into their eclipse planning and support each state in unique ways to prepare for the influx of people

The story of America’s first responders on September 11 is a story of courage and sacrifice. The public safety community stood up for the American people and put the nation’s safety and security first. Today, we remember the tragedies of September 11 through our work at the FirstNet Authority. We are committed to delivering a network that keeps responders connected when it matters most.

A year of unprecedented disasters — including two major floods and a train derailment — brought unique challenges to rural Stillwater County, Montana. FirstNet supported communications and emergency management throughout these incidents, allowing responders to connect and collaborate during response and recovery efforts.

The First Responder Network Authority is moving forward on its plans to expand FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, and enhance coverage where first responders need it, including in tribal, territorial, and rural areas. The FirstNet Authority Board approved plans to advance a ten-year initiative in which the FirstNet Authority will make ongoing investments of approximately $2 billion to expand FirstNet and improve coverage for public safety users.

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.

Nestled between the Cascades and the Coast Mountains in Douglas County, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians host their annual Pow Wow in this remote region of Oregon. With little to no wireless coverage in this area, the event presents communications challenges for local public safety agencies each year. In 2023, the Cow Creek Tribal Police Department turned to FirstNet to keep their responders connected at the Pow Wow and when a car crash on the mountain led to rapid response.

Since its creation, Prevent Medical Solutions has protected more than two million people at events ranging from marathons to large music festivals. Cody Snow, President of Prevent Medical Solutions, discusses how FirstNet deployables, push-to-talk technology, and priority and preemption help keep his team of medical and safety professionals connected and communicating.

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.

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.