How FirstNet Can Help Fight Wildfires
By James Careless According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), in 2023 55,571 wildfires consumed a total 2,633,636 acres in the United States, which is 47.39 acres burned per…
Insights
Is It Okay Not to be Okay? Part One of ATFN’s Two-Part Series on First Responder Wellness
By James Careless When it comes to first responder mental health and wellness, the statistics are sobering. “It isestimated that 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions including,…
The connected ambulance: FirstNet for Maine EMS
By Jonathan Olson, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority Maine is undertaking a statewide project to install FirstNet in all its ambulances — to keep them connected and…
FirstNet PTT Adopted for Start-up Public Safety Department
By Lindsay Stromgren Starting up a new public safety department from scratch is no easy task for any community, especially a small suburban one. The Town of Amherst Massachusetts faced…
The benefits of full 5G for law enforcement
On scene, in the patrol vehicle, and at the command post — wherever law enforcement officers work, they need fast and reliable connectivity. One of the most important innovations for…
When wildfires threaten the wildland urban interface, FirstNet connects firefighters
By Gary McCarraher, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority The threat of wildfires is no longer only a concern for western states. More than 60,000 communities in the…
Grundy County switches to FirstNet to prioritize communication
Situated about 45 minutes south of Chicago, Grundy County, Illinois, is a community of 50,000 residents spread out over 430 square miles. The rural county is also home to two…
5G on FirstNet: More data, greater speeds in near real time
Earlier this year, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announced an investment of $6.3 billion to enhance 5G capabilities on FirstNet. The investment will support the development of a 5G core…
Honoring our public safety heroes
By First Responder Network Authority First responders protect and serve their communities every day. Whether they’re rushing into a burning building, providing life-saving medical assistance, upholding public safety, preparing for…
Is LMR the best solution for first responders? Should 4.9 GHz license go to the FirstNet Authority?
By Richard Mirgon Recently there was an article titled “LMR remains most reliable technology for public-safety communications,” written by the executive director of the Forestry Conservation Communications Association (“FCCA”). To…
FirstNet Authority delegation to Pacific territories addresses public safety needs, network operations
By Kenison Tejada, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority The U.S. Pacific territories — American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam — are home…
FirstNet Authority reauthorization needed as public-safety-driven network evolution proceeds
Written by Ed Parkinson The recent announcement from AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) that an additional $8 billion is being invested into the system—for both 5G…
Straight Talk about FirstNet: First Responder-Designed and First Responder-Led
By Chris Lombard, Assistant Chief of the Seattle Fire Department Since the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the events surrounding 9/11/2001, most of the…
Public Safety Needed FirstNet And Now Public Safety Needs 4.9GHz
By Richard Mirgon As you know, I was part of the first responder community that fought for what is now FirstNet. We were engaged in the language of the legislation…
The Continued Fight to Support Our Heroes 9-11 Attacks Still Taking a Toll on First Responders
By Thomas O’Connor As we move toward the 22nd anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, it is important to keep the memories of the 2,977 who died…