Effective emergency response relies on the ability of different agencies to communicate seamlessly with each other. In the past, this was a real problem due to public safety agencies using a variety of proprietary land mobile radios (LMRs) that couldn’t talk to each other.
Michael Barnbeck, Deputy Executive Director of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) remembers this all too well. When he started his previous 25-year career with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, communicating with other agencies was extremely difficult.
“If we responded to an incident out of jurisdiction or even a FEMA response to a hurricane or anything, you could easily be sitting around for over a day to two days waiting to get issued a radio or have a radio programmed up so you could talk to everybody,” Barnbeck said.
Thankfully, times have changed—particularly thanks to the creation of FirstNet, the nationwide interoperable public safety network dedicated to first responders. In fact, thanks to FirstNet, the kinds of interoperability communications problems experienced by Barnbeck and other U.S. first responders are a thing of the past.
Understanding Interoperability in Emergency Communications
Interoperability in first responder communications is an operational necessity. Coordinating a mass response requires real-time intelligence sharing across multiple jurisdictions, and they can only do this if they can communicate with each other.
Barnbeck pointed to catastrophic events like 9/11 as a primary example of ineffective interoperable communication. In contrast, the Route 91 concert shooting in Las Vegas, where 530 people were shot, most responding jurisdictions successfully worked together because of standardized interoperability. “The efficiency and safety of first responders and the community relies on the sharing of real-time intelligence, whether it be speech, data, or video,” he said. Without interoperable communications, coordinating a unified response across police, fire, EMS, and other public safety agencies becomes extremely difficult.
How FirstNet Supports Interoperable Communications
FirstNet was created in the aftermath of 9/11 to resolve the communications issues that cost lives at the World Trade Center. This is why FirstNet offers Priority and Preemption wireless broadband service to its first responder users via Band 14. It is a segment of the radio spectrum that has been allocated to public safety. Managed under contract by AT&T, Band 14 is a VIP lane for first responder voice, video, and data traffic that maximizes their chances of communicating during peak periods. This allows police, fire, and EMS cellular calls to get through even when the commercial networks are overloaded due to too many people using the system. FirstNet provides this service across the U.S.A., on a common interoperable platform that all of its users can access using their smartphones and tablets.
Sharing Data in Real-Time Between Responders
FirstNet’s nationwide network is built upon 3GPP standards, an international standard shared with commercial 4G/LTE and 5G networks. This common platform makes it easy for first responders to share data in real-time across different agencies and jurisdictions. “There’s also consistent interoperability when it comes to encryption standards,” said Barnbeck. “No matter who is on the network, we’re all able to share information with each other.”
Supporting Communication Across Jurisdictions During Incidents
When it comes to natural and man-made emergencies, “I can name scenario after scenario after scenario where more than one jurisdiction has to respond to that,” Barnbeck noted. “This is where FirstNet makes the difference. It makes it easy to communicate with any agency on the network, no matter who or where they are.”
Connecting Agencies Across Departments and Devices
To connect its member agencies effectively, FirstNet relies on FirstNet-certified devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Using certified devices ensures that FirstNet member agencies can connect seamlessly across departments and devices at all times.
“This cross-connect of devices and the platforms is critical so that the minute that I arrive and put boots on the ground, I’m able to start taking action,” Barnbeck said.
Bridging Land Mobile Radio and Broadband Networks
One of the most significant advancements in modern first responder communications is to bridge traditional radio systems with modern wireless broadband. This is an area where FirstNet shines through its FirstNet Fusion product.
Working Alongside Existing LMR Systems
Thanks to FirstNet Fusion, FirstNet member agencies can interconnect their LMRs with FirstNet’s national wireless broadband network. “This eliminates the traditional interoperability issues associated with LMRs,” said Barnbeck. “LMR users can now talk to other jurisdictions with ease.”
Extending Communication Beyond Radio Coverage
When an LMR system is integrated with FirstNet (often via Radio over IP or ISSI/CSSI gateways), a user with a FirstNet-capable smartphone or a hybrid radio can communicate with dispatch and colleagues on the radio net from anywhere there is LTE/5G coverage.Add the fact that FirstNet’s nationwide coverage is more comprehensive and complete than any comparable wireless broadband service, and LMR users enjoy a level of connection that simply isn’t possible without FirstNet Fusion.
Connecting the Emergency Communications Ecosystem
Due to its nationwide reach and interoperable platform, FirstNet serves as a centralized hub for the nation’s emergency communications ecosystem. It handles the authentication of public safety users, ensuring secure access. FirstNet also supports the expansion and contraction of network users as incidents demand. For instance, secondary responders like tree trimmers might not use FirstNet daily, but they can be authorized to communicate with first responders during a flood or hurricane when power lines are down.
CAD-to-CAD and system integration
System integration is critical for synchronized first responder intelligence. This is why FirstNet features an app catalog of certified applications to support CAD-to-CAD and system integration. (CAD is short for Computer-Assisted Dispatch.) “It makes it easy to transfer data between different agencies’ CADs, no matter who made them,” Barnbeck said.
Supporting 911 and NG911 connectivity
FirstNet is vital for supporting 911 and Next Generation 911 (NG911) connectivity during emergencies. Barnbeck highlighted Hurricane Helene in North Carolina as a prime example. “When the city of Asheville and surrounding areas lost their 911 and non-emergency phone systems, FirstNet served as the redundant rollover,” he said. “Because of this shared platform, PSAPs as far away as Raleigh and Charlotte were able to take Asheville’s calls and share CAD applications during the crisis.”
Why Interoperability Improves Emergency Response Outcomes
Interoperability improves emergency response outcomes due to the fact that first responders can communicate with each other in real-time. “When those involved in serving the public can talk to each other, good things happen,” concluded Barnbeck. “When they can’t, they don’t. This is why FirstNet is so important because it makes interoperability happen.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is interoperability in emergency communications?
Interoperability in emergency communications is the ability of different police, fire, and EMS agencies to seamlessly communicate and share real-time data, voice, and video across different devices and networks.
Does FirstNet meet National interoperability standards?
Yes. FirstNet is built upon international 3GPP standards, the same standards used for commercial 4G/LTE and 5G wireless broadband networks. FirstNet also uses uniform encryption protocols and certified devices to ensure communications nationwide.
How does FirstNet support interoperability for first responders?
FirstNet supports interoperability by using Band 14, a dedicated section of the radio spectrum, solely for public safety. It also authenticates public safety users, certifies mission-critical devices and applications, and supports real-time data and CAD-to-CAD sharing across different jurisdictions.
Can FirstNet work with land mobile radio systems?
Yes. FirstNet Fusion bridges traditional LMR systems with broadband networks. This allows LMRs to communicate with smartphones and other devices across different jurisdictions via FirstNet, without being restricted to traditional radio frequencies.
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