California’s 911 Crisis Is a Wake-Up Call for the Nation
by Charles Dowd (Ret.), Former Assistant Chief, NYPD It’s a call no one ever wants to make, but if you dial 911 you need, and have the right to expect,…
Insights
9/11’s failures led to a first-responder network — which will vanish if Congress doesn’t act
Sept. 11, 2001, was a day of unspeakable tragedy. But amidst the chaos was a group of heroes — firefighters, police officers, paramedics and countless others — who ran toward…
First Responder Communications Remain Vital on the 24th Anniversary of 9/11
The anniversary of September 11, 2001, is always difficult for the millions of Americans who lived in New York and Washington, D.C. and saw the terrorist attacks firsthand, and everyone…
Is There FirstNet Oversight?
Many have complained there isn’t enough. Are they right? You be the judge. There has been considerable talk within NTIA and on the Hill as well as a couple of public safety…
A First Responder’s Experience: Verizon Frontline Fails to Impress
By Chris F. Denney In August 2025, I decided to look for a personal cell phone. So, I decided to give Verizon Wireless a try. I have experience in wireless…
Critical comms for first responders is crucial. Here’s why Congress must act.
In late August 2005, our team at Acadian Ambulance was bracing for the unimaginable. Hurricane Katrina was heading toward Louisiana, and even with decades of disaster response experience, we knew…
FirstNet Works and Congress Should Leave It Alone
As Congress considers the reauthorization of FirstNet (a wireless network exclusively for first responders), public safety associations are lining up in support while competitors for the contract are trying to…
CRITICAL INSIGHT Q&A: The high-stakes push to safeguard ‘FirstNet’ broadband spectrum
First responders have long depended on calling for backup and clearing the airwaves. Since its launch in 2018, FirstNet—America’s public safety broadband network—has become indispensable. With over 7.5 million connections, support…
Boulder County strikes gold with FirstNet CRD
Boulder County, Colorado, covers nearly 750 square miles and spans 9,000 feet of elevation change in the Rocky Mountains. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) knows emergencies can happen anywhere in…
FirstNet Authority pre-planning aids communication at the St. Thomas Carnival
Each spring, the St. Thomas Carnival transforms the U.S. Virgin Islands into a vibrant showcase of culture, community, and tradition. Drawing over 10,000 attendees, the weeklong celebration features lively parades,…
How FirstNet Improves Firefighter Communication During Natural Disasters
Learn how FirstNet enhances firefighter communication during natural disasters and emergencies with priority access, deployables, and resilient broadband.
Enhancing Emergency Communications in South Dakota with Mission Critical Push-to-Talk
Our nation’s emergency communications community is in pursuit of enhanced interoperability, coverage, reliability, and efficiency. Nobody understands this better than the dedicated professionals who maintain radio systems and manage communications…
Successful emergency response starts with reliable communications
I’ve been a paramedic and firefighter for more than 30 years, and I’ve seen firsthand how reliable communications impact response times and critical care. Now amid Florida’s hurricane season, communication…
What is the Best Network for First Responders?
Discover why FirstNet is the best network built for first responders, offering priority access, coverage, and reliability when it matters most.
Public-safety groups support FirstNet reauthorization, oppose T-Mobile proposed ‘fix’
Four key public-safety associations express support for Congress reauthorizing the FirstNet Authority while apparently opposing a T-Mobile proposal calling for “a fix for public safety” that would include structural changes…