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Planned Event

Episode 68: Getting ahead of the game: Pre-planning for Super Bowl LVII

The Super Bowl — America’s largest sporting event — requires significant pre-planning to ensure the safety of players, staff, and spectators. Coordinating public safety communications for Super Bowl LVII involved more than a dozen different cities and jurisdictions and posed unique challenges, including overlap with another major sporting event the same week. Through the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program, public safety officials in Arizona received pre-planning assistance for the Super Bowl, helping responders be ready on game day.

Getting Ahead of the Game: Pre-planning for the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl — America’s largest sporting event — requires significant pre-planning to ensure the safety of players, staff, and spectators. Coordinating public safety communications for Super Bowl LVII involved more than a dozen different cities and jurisdictions and posed unique challenges, including overlap with another major sporting event the same week. Through the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program, public safety officials in Arizona received pre-planning assistance for the Super Bowl, helping responders be ready on game day.
Left shows first responder with gear backpack and radio at the ready. Right shows the Super Bowl logo in front of blue skies

Push-to-talk on FirstNet for emergency managers: Delivering situational awareness in the field and the EOC

Emergency management thrives on good communications. One FirstNet tool that aids communications is push-to-talk on hand-held mobile devices. Push-to-talk capabilities over FirstNet deliver better situational awareness for responders in the field and in the emergency operations.
A first responder using FirstNet Push-to-Talk on a ruggedized smartphone

World-renowned holiday lights festival happens with FirstNet behind the scenes

Every year during the holidays, the city of St. Augustine in Florida is transformed by millions of holiday lights that bedazzle the city’s downtown in an event called Nights of Lights. As visitors marvel at the twinkling lights, St. Augustine officials use FirstNet to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely for everyone involved.
St Augustine police outside during an event.

A View from Above: Increasing first responder situational awareness with drones

From missing person searches to HAZMAT incidents and holiday celebrations, first responders in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Texas use drone technology to gather critical situational awareness during emergencies and planned events. With FirstNet, footage from the drones can be streamed seamlessly back to decision makers on the ground.
Aerial view of a firefighter wearing a helmet using a drone next to a firetruck

FirstNet brings safety, security to Dover Motor Speedway and Firefly Music Festival

The “Monster Mile” at Dover Motor Speedway can be as tough on communications as it is on drivers. With more than a dozen public safety partners supporting races and the Firefly Music Festival, reliable connectivity is critical. FirstNet is ensuring responders can communicate and share information to keep visitors safe.
An aerial view of the Firefly Musical Festival grounds, crowds of people at several live music stages around the grounds, a packed parking lot

Scoring a win with FirstNet Authority pre-planning support

First responders at any size event depend on reliable communication to ensure a successful and safe outcome. In preparation for the Super Bowl in 2022, Los Angeles area public safety agencies’ used the FirstNet Authority’s pre-planning event support to help maximize broadband capabilities. This free and unique service from the FirstNet Authority resulted in more timely and efficient decision-making, better coordinated responses, and well-managed resources and logistics.

A FirstNet SatCOLT parked in Inglewood, California; a football in the middle of a stadium field

FirstNet Authority Supports SMART emergency management practices through planning, preparedness programs

Emergency management agencies are turning to the FirstNet Authority’s planning tools and support mechanisms — including an exercise inject catalog, event pre-planning program, and post incident/event review process — to help emergency managers and other public safety officials integrate broadband into their daily operations and emergency response. Through collaborative efforts with our team, responders across the nation are leveraging these offerings as part of their SMART approach to emergency management.

Computer screen showing status of homes during a natural disaster

Three types of FirstNet Authority support for preparedness

The FirstNet Authority provides three types of support to help public safety agencies as they prepare for all hazards: pre-planning support, an exercise inject catalog, and post-incident reviews. These three types of support help agencies understand how to best use FirstNet during disasters or large events, leading to more timely and efficient decision-making, better coordinated response, and well-managed resources and logistics.

Deployable; Aerial view of incident exercise
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