Local

In response to the spread of COVID-19, public safety agencies looked for ways to keep personnel safe while continuing to serve their communities. The Arlington County Emergency Communications Center in Virginia launched remote call-taking, dispatching, and supervision capabilities. Telecommunicators are able to work from home or other locations with a setup that includes a FirstNet hotspot.   

As a smaller agency, officers with the Ironton Police Department in Ohio rely on communicating with one another to serve their community. The police department is using FirstNet to remain connected as they respond to the opioid crisis in the city. FirstNet supports other agencies in Ironton, as well, providing a common operating picture for city services.

The Cameron Peak Fire burned nearly 209,000 acres (326 square miles) in Colorado in late 2020, making it the largest wildfire in state history. As firefighters fought the blaze, FirstNet deployables and devices allowed them to access apps and resources that made their jobs easier and kept them connected to Incident Command and their families back home.  

The Green Bay Police Department is the main law enforcement agency for the Green Bay Packers football games. Even during big plays when network congestion is the highest, FirstNet gives them faster speeds, better data exchanges, and clearer calls. FirstNet has also made a difference for Green Bay police outside the stadium, like when they tracked a fleeing shooting suspect.

Situational awareness is crucial to firefighters responding to wildfires. Mobile broadband – like FirstNet – enables firefighters to access apps that provide up-to-date maps and videos to make operational decisions in the field. Cellular broadband also frees up traffic from land mobile radio systems, keeping radios open for other critical incidents.

FirstNet is making a difference for law enforcement agencies across the nation—in both daily operations and at big events, whether planned or unplanned. In northern Virginia, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office relies on FirstNet for everyday use, emergencies, and large events. They also partner with other FirstNet users in the region to collaborate on how to best use the network.

San Joaquin County announced the Sheriff, Public Works, Office of Emergency Services, and other county personnel are joining FirstNet. The network will allow for coordination among agencies and jurisdictions during emergencies as well as access to innovative tools and devices in the field.

City and county managers are represented on the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). ICMA is a non-profit organization, founded in 1914, whose mission is to advance local government by supporting excellence in professional management. ICMA provides professional development, training, and research on a wide range of topics, including public safety.

The City of Las Vegas, Nevada, joined FirstNet to support communications for public safety. Las Vegas is a city focused on innovation, and FirstNet will power innovative technology like Internet of Things devices and smart city solutions.

When heavy rain caused two dams to breach in Midland, Michigan, over 10,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes. The Midland Fire Department requested statewide assistance, and the Oakland Communications Support Team answered the call. Using a FirstNet deployable and devices, first responders were able to access forms, maps, and other key information as they conducted damage assessment and cleanup.

Brian Schoonmaker was named Chief of Police in Hazleton, Pennsylvania in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. With FirstNet, Chief Schoonmaker jumped right into developing policies to keep the community and police officers safe during this unprecedented event.

Carroll County Public Schools in Maryland are utilizing BusPatrol to ensure the safety of their students. The program, which utilizes FirstNet’s dedicated public safety network, helps to deter illegal passing of stopped school buses.

First responders in tribal nations are tackling the COVID-19 health crisis with dedication and innovation, and many are turning to technology solutions to enhance their operations. Tribal nations like the Colville Tribes in Washington have gotten a boost in coverage from FirstNet at testing sites and emergency operation centers.  

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Alexandria Department of Emergency and Customer Communications in Virginia implemented remote call-taking and dispatching to keep telecommunicators safe while still serving their community. Using WiFi hotspots connected to FirstNet, the agency was the first in the nation to enable remote 9-1-1 emergency call-taking.

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota covers a diverse jurisdiction, from the Badlands to Black Elk Peak. Communication is key for deputies in every part of the largely rural county. FirstNet provides the coverage and capacity they need when seconds count.

America’s first responders are at the heart of the FirstNet Authority’s mission. Many FirstNet Authority staff are either current or former public safety officials. Collectively, they have deep experience in all public safety disciplines. We celebrate all first responders on Honoring the Nation's First Responders Day, and we appreciate their service every day of the year.

In Chesapeake, Virginia, the local fire department is exploring ways to manage response for non-emergent care. The Chesapeake Fire Department launched a Mobile Integrated Healthcare program to provide residents with effective access to healthcare. With FirstNet, they are able to access real-time data in the field and coordinate with high-risk patients throughout the community.

Harris County, Texas, was one of the early adopters of FirstNet. As the nation’s third most populous county, first responders in the area need to be prepared for any event. The Harris County Radio Services Organization operates the regional radio system for public safety in Harris County, and FirstNet is allowing them augment that radio system in remote areas and in times of heavy network congestion. 

Bobby Gelormine, the Senior Planner for the Chesapeake Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, helps the city plan for everything from hurricanes and flooding to terrorism and other man-made disasters. Being in a constant state of readiness means that Gelormine and his colleagues rely on FirstNet to provide reliable communications, no matter the emergencies they face.

Sacred Cross EMS provides EMS and emergency and non-emergency ambulance transport services across North and West Texas. Many of the areas that the company services are rural, and cellular coverage is traditionally sparse. With the help of FirstNet, Sacred Cross is able to communicate among crews, with hospitals, and with dispatch provide better patient care in these remote areas during everyday incidents and planned events.