News





Partners set standards for emergency communications

Two cooperative research and development agreements, between the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the First Responder Network Authority and more than 75 industry partners, have made emergency service communication easier.


ID validation on the fly for emergency response

A new solution aims to speed incident response by dynamically vetting and authorizing first responders and their devices so they can access and share information when they are participating in incidents outside their home jurisdiction.


NIST CRADA Gives Priority Cellular Service to First Responders

Emergency service communication can now cut through congested phone lines during a crisis thanks to two Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), and more than 75 industry partners.




EMS: Kevin McGinnis describes broadband effect on rural-patient treatment, impact of new ET3 model

Kevin McGinnis, former FirstNet Authority board member, member of the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) and program manager for the National Association of State EMS Officials, explains how the development of broadband services like FirstNet and the Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3) payment model being piloted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could change how patients are treated, especially in rural areas.


AT&T Unveils New Cell Sites in Maryland; David Zolet Quoted

AT&T has partnered with the government of Talbot County in Maryland to launch a FirstNet cell site on Tilghman Island. The company said Tuesday it has also constructed an additional AT&T cell site at Bozman, Md., to provide expanded network coverage for residents, visitors and first responders.



FirstNet making an impact early in three communities, speakers say

Public-safety users have been able to subscribe to FirstNet for only two years, but the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) is making a significant impact on the operations of several first-responder agencies, providing cost-effective data and deployable support immediately and a mission-critical voice option in the future.


Visual 911+ App Earns FirstNet Listed Designation

America’s public safety communications platform – features the first-ever App Catalog geared to first responders. This gives FirstNet subscribers a dedicated location to find meaningful new solutions that have been specifically reviewed for use with FirstNet services. Before any mobile solution can be added to the FirstNet App Catalog, it must pass stringent tests for security, relevancy, data privacy and more.


Blackburn talks economic development

When you have more options and you have that competition, it really helps,” Blackburn said. “One of the things I keep the focus on is that you’re not going to have 21st century economic development, health care, education or law enforcement without access to high-speed internet, and (FirstNet) is a great example of that.