Rural

With experience as a radio operator in a rural region, Oregon Congressman Greg Walden understands the importance of communication, especially for first responders. Motivated by the challenges he has seen for public safety, he authored and helped pass the legislation that created FirstNet.

 

When a violent tornado hit northeast Arkansas in March 2020, it caused major destruction to homes, businesses, and a shopping mall, mangling vehicles, damaging an airport, and derailing a train. Despite the wreckage, FirstNet kept first responders connected and communicating throughout the storm and its aftermath.

As EMS providers expand their use of technology, FirstNet gives them a wireless broadband platform to connect in the field. FirstNet Authority Senior EMS Advisor Brent Williams highlights three EMS agencies using FirstNet to communicate in rural areas, send vital patient information to hospitals, and access the resources to enhance patient care.

Connecting to tools and resources is vital for law enforcement agencies. With FirstNet, officers and deputies in rural and remote areas have increased access to the databases and systems they need. Harry Markley, FirstNet Authority Senior Law Enforcement Advisor, highlights how three agencies are using FirstNet to maximize operations and improve incident outcomes.

While the FirstNet Core already separates public safety traffic from commercial traffic, the inclusion of coverage and capacity as a Roadmap domain will help to ensure FirstNet network presence within any given geography, with sufficient capacity for public safety to perform its duties whether they are serving communities that are urban, rural, or something in between.

Home to mountain ranges and forested areas, Washington County, Oregon presents communications challenges for local public safety. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office relies on FirstNet to stay connected with deputies, citizens, and dispatch centers.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon uses FirstNet on cell phones and mobile data computers to better protect a community of 600,000 people spread out in mostly rural areas.

First responders in the East Carroll Parish area got a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built cell site. The site – located in Lake Providence – is part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in Louisiana, which is bringing increased coverage, capacity, and capabilities to first responders across the state.

FirstNet Authority National Tribal Government Liaison Adam Geisler sits down with Crystal Hottowe of the Makah Tribe in northwest Washington to talk about what it means to respond to emergencies in a marine environment, the looming threat of tsunamis, and broadband on tribal lands.

Located in rural Kansas, the Junction City Fire Department’s EMS division is using FirstNet to address communication challenges when transporting patients long distances, coordinating regional recovery efforts after tornados, and deploying to national disaster sites.

Tabitha Smithers, an emergency aviation flight nurse and Goochland County Fire and EMS volunteer paramedic, uses FirstNet to alleviate communications hurdles in a rural region of Virginia.

The FirstNet Authority Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) held its bi-annual meeting in Austin, TX, where more than 20 PSAC members gathered to discuss 2019 activities and accomplishments and 2020 goals and initiatives. Kenzie Capece, FirstNet Authority Senior Public Safety Advisor, recaps the conversation on the FirstNet Authority Roadmap and special presentations from FirstNet, Built with AT&T, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Operating in a remote location of California, Santa Clara County Sheriff Search and Rescue used three FirstNet Flying Cell on Wings (COWs) during a training exercise to support communications. 

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s in Wisconsin was the first tribe to participate in in-depth discussions with the FirstNet Authority, and they were the first to sign an agreement with AT&T to build a new cell tower on tribal land. This buildout will help both the first responders supporting the Red Cliff Band and the residents who live there.

In August 2019, FirstNet unveiled two new cell sites in Warren County, bringing enhanced coverage and capacity to this rural area of North Carolina. Congressman G.K. Butterfield joined FirstNet Authority Board member Welton Chase, Jr. for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

First responders from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland integrated FirstNet into search and rescue exercises held in Gore, VA — a remote region in the Shenandoah Valley.

First responders serving the Red Cliff Reservation got a major boost in their access to broadband communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built cell site. The new Infrastructure will improve connectivity for tribal first responders and expand rural broadband access for the tribal community.

First responders in Preston County got a major boost in their wireless communications with the launch of a FirstNet cell site. The site – located in Fellowsville – is part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in West Virginia, which is bringing purpose-built coverage, capacity, and capabilities to first responders across the state.

At the PSAC Tribal Working Group’s (TWG) semi-annual in-person meeting, the FirstNet Authority updated TWG delegates on FirstNet’s latest developments, and tribal leaders discussed their network needs and shared real-world FirstNet use cases in tribal communities.

FirstNet continues to gain rapid momentum with 600,000+ device connections being used by more than 7,250 public safety agencies.