FirstNet in Action

Alachua County Fire and Rescue’s everyday operations depend on FirstNet. The EMS team uses FirstNet for priority services and to send health data directly from the ambulance to the hospital.

When Otterbein University in Ohio played host to the 2019 Democratic presidential debate, thousands flocked to the City of Westerville to attend. During the event, the Westerville Police Department used FirstNet and drones to capture live, high-definition video and relay it to the emergency operations center, improving situational awareness and decision making.

Cell phone communications are traditionally a challenge at the annual American Birkebeiner Ski Race, which is hosted in rural northwest Wisconsin. At past “Birkie” events, first responders have struggled to remain connected along the trails, but with a FirstNet SatCOLT (satellite cell on light truck) providing a mobile cellular connection, coverage was not a concern at the 2020 Birkie.

Monterey’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built cell site. The site – located in Monterey – is part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in Massachusetts, which is bringing increased coverage, capacity, and capability to first responders across the state.

In March 2020, several tornadoes tore across middle Tennessee. In Putnam County, 80 miles outside of Nashville, an EF-4 tornado caused major damage to structures and a public safety radio tower. With communications severely limited, state and local first responders turned to FirstNet for coverage from deployables and push-to-talk on smartphones.

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.

Gainesville’s public works use FirstNet on their cell phones and tablets to deploy resources and people, track work orders, and communicate with staff in the field. With these tools in place, they can get their work done more efficiently, and work in partnership with other responders.

The Emergency Communications Center in Alexandria, Virginia, used FirstNet to seamlessly continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. With FirstNet, telecommunicators were able to work remotely and stay safe.

University of Florida Health uses FirstNet across their facilities to connect personnel to the resources and information they need. Ambulances, helicopters, the emergency department, and the facilities department rely on FirstNet to connect with one another seamlessly and instantly while caring for patients and keeping them secure.

The Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District is turning to push-to-talk over LTE on FirstNet to help augment radio communications and coverage in the rural, mountainous area they protect. This move will also help the agency save money and provide more ways for first responders to partner and communicate with other agencies in the region.

The Cranford Police Department in New Jersey trialed FirstNet Push-to-Talk, a service built on 3GPP mission critical push-to-talk standards. This service provided officers with an easy-to-use system with clearer voice quality and wider coverage area than traditional land mobile radios.

A tornado struck Carbon Hill, Alabama in March 2020, causing significant damage to the community. The city lost all of the radio repeater equipment used by the Carbon Hill Police Department, but they were ready with FirstNet as a backup. 

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.

FirstNet boosted coverage for personnel aboard the U.S. Navy’s medical ship, the USNS Comfort, when it was deployed to New York City to treat COVID-19 patients. FirstNet also deployed a cell on wheels in Los Angeles to support the naval ship Mercy.

At the 2020 Winter Institute Workshop and Exercise, hosted by the Texas A&M University’s Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center, public safety officials practiced integrating new technologies, including a FirstNet deployable, into disaster operations during a simulated cyberattack. Participants included unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) teams from Florida State University, which integrated their UAS with the deployable to share information with command posts.

North Dakota’s first responders got a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of four new, purpose-built cell sites. The sites – two located in Slope County and one each in McLean and Stark County – are part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in North Dakota, which is bringing increased coverage, capacity, and capabilities to first responders across the state.

The Canton Fire Department transitioned to FirstNet to augment radio communications, enhance planning and response with new data capabilities, and address coverage gaps in their small town, 15 miles south of Boston.

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.

Knoxville Fire and Rescue in Iowa subscribed to the network in order to address existing communications gaps. 

The Hamilton County Communications Center in Ohio is responsible for dispatch services for public safety agencies across the county. Access to FirstNet’s robust and reliable platform is helping tactical dispatchers at the center.