As the only wireless broadband network purpose-built for first responders, FirstNet is a lifeline for 31,000 public safety agencies and more than 8 million individual users.
Officially known as the National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), the stability of FirstNet is a matter of life and safety for its members and the public who rely on them. This is why the FirstNet Authority Board that oversees FirstNet has been specifically designed to maintain continuity during leadership changes. This ensures that the NPSBN network that first responders depend on never wavers.
FirstNet’s governance continuity is best explained by those who built it. TJ Kennedy, a former professional firefighter, flight paramedic, and police officer, served as the first President of the FirstNet Authority from 2013 to 2018.
The 15-Member Structure: Designed for Continuity
The FirstNet Authority Board is an independent authority, structured by statute to balance government input, technical expertise, and public safety boots-on-the-ground experience in running FirstNet. This spreading of authority helps to ensure that FirstNet’s operations remain steady even when individual leaders depart.
“It’s a 15-member board,” said Kennedy. “All but the ex-officio members that are part of whatever administration is in the White House at the time are appointed to three-year terms. Importantly, the three-year terms are purposely staggered so that everybody wouldn’t be changing in the same year.”
A Balance of Interests
The FirstNet Authority Board’s composition prevents any single perspective from dominating FirstNet’s governance. Besides the three government directors, the 12 appointed positions are typically split between those with public safety backgrounds and those from the technology sector.
This balanced approach goes back to the first days of the board. “There were always six directors that were very focused on public safety, such as a sheriff, a police chief, a fire chief, and an EMS chief role, “ Kennedy said. “And then there were typically six that came out of the wireless telecommunications technology industry. This allows us to have a balance between the network’s users and the network’s needs.”
Protecting the NPSBN Mandate
The FirstNet Authority Board’s core mission is to oversee and protect the NPSBN, otherwise known as FirstNet. The board serves as the ultimate accountability mechanism to ensure the NPSBN’s mandate is being met.
Operational Oversight
Kennedy highlighted the importance of the board’s oversight in managing FirstNet. “The board is responsible for the hiring of the CEO and top management at the FirstNet Authority,” he said. “The board is also responsible for FirstNet’s public-private partnership with AT&T, which runs the network’s infrastructure, is being executed properly on all sides.”
Performance and Reinvestment
“The board’s role, when it comes to performance oversight, is to make sure that everyone is doing the jobs that they need to do,” said Kennedy. “They also ensure that the money FirstNet receives from its subscribers is reinvested into the network’s maintenance and upgrades, so that it is always at the forefront for public safety.”
Why Governance Stability Matters for First Responders
When a board member’s term ends, the operational side of FirstNet remains stable thanks to these staggered appointments. This model prioritizes ‘public safety first’ over political cycles, ensuring that the handoff between members does not impact the network’s day-to-day availability.
For the public safety agencies that rely on FirstNet for communications, this ensures that the smartphones and wireless tablets they use in the field remain connected and reliable regardless of who sits in a boardroom in Washington, D.C.
Representation Over Bureaucracy
The most important feature of the FirstNet Authority Board is that it is dominated by public safety and wireless experts, not politicians. “Knowing that you as a fire chief, a police chief, or an EMS agency chief, have people who have walked in your shoes running the board is a big confidence builder,” Kennedy said. “These are people on the board who understand your unique needs, who understand what you need each and every day.“
A Self-Sustaining Model
In closing, TJ Kennedy emphasized that FirstNet was designed to be prolific in coverage, connections, and innovation without relying on taxpayer dollars. That is because the network was originally funded through a share of FAA spectrum auction proceeds ($7 billion), and has since been paid for by subscriber revenues.
“This unique business model has made FirstNet successful from day one,” he said. “It is this success that the FirstNet Authority Board is committed to uphold.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the current FirstNet Authority board members and how are they appointed?
As of 2026, the board is composed of experts like Acting Chair Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Chief Jeffrey B. Norman, and Chief Trisha L. Wolford. The Secretary of Commerce appoints the 12 non-federal members. The permanent ex-officio seats are held by the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of the OMB.
What happens to FirstNet operations when a board member’s term ends or they resign?
Operations continue without pause. Because of the staggered three-year terms, the board maintains a quorum and institutional knowledge. This prevents a “vacuum” of leadership during administration changes.
How often does the FirstNet Authority board meet and what decisions do they make?
The board meets quarterly (March, June, September, and December). They make high-level strategic decisions about management and funding, such as the recent $2 billion reinvestment agreement to expand FirstNet’s 5G coverage and initiate the transition toward 6G capabilities.
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