Shawn Talmadge, State Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, describes how the Commonwealth utilizes of FirstNet capabilities — such as radio interoperability, unmanned arial systems, and flood monitoring — to ensure reliable communication for Virginia’s emergency teams both during routine and unexpected events. Shawn Talmadge was the recipient of a 2024 Patriot Award. Join Shawn Talmadge as he shares his perspective on the critical role of communications in disaster response. Learn more about FirstNet in Virginia at FirstNet.gov/Virginia.

When an eight-year-old boy went missing in Michigan's sprawling Porcupine Mountains, an extensive search and rescue operation was initiated. Darian Reed, President of Superior Search and Rescue, shared that broadband and data service support from FirstNet was pivotal in successfully and safely recovering the child.

The University of Virginia (UVA) Health system uses nearly 4,000 mobile devices, powered by FirstNet, to enhance care for patients. The leader of UVA Health’s Mobile Device Technologies program, Anthony Thompson, discusses the impact of FirstNet in healthcare and how it’s supporting telemedicine capabilities, translation services, and rural healthcare.