Vision 2024 Offers Three Session Tracks to FirstNet Users

By James Careless

Mindful that not all FirstNet users are the same, the 2024 Vision FirstNet Users Summit (Vision 2024) will be offering three distinct session tracks this year: Mission Driven, Mission Ready, and Mission Capable. At the same time, associated ‘Community of Practice’ topics will be explored across all three tracks at Vision 2024, which is being held at Las Vegas’ Sahara Hotel October 7-10, 2024, and hosted/ organized by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA). This exploration of associated topics will allow FirstNet delegates to gain various views of important subjects at the show, maximizing the value of their attendance at Vision 2024. As well, there will be plenary sessions each day at Vision 2024, plus the Health & Wellness Coalition Meeting and the One-on-One Grants Workshop hosted by Public Sector Grants (details here).

What The Tracks Are All About

Understanding how the three-track approach will work starts with understanding what the three tracks are all about. In brief:

• The Mission Driven track will focus on activities that are driving the development of FirstNet solutions to keep first responders prepared and capable in the field.
• The Mission Ready track will highlight FirstNet user case studies to show how first responders are using FirstNet within their own daily operations, as well as how they work together with partner agencies.
• The Mission Capable track will feature partners in the FirstNet ecosystem and show how their products, solutions, and capabilities support first responders.

How the Tracks Play Out at Vision 2024

To understand how the three session tracks will play out at Vision 2024, let’s look at an example from the Vision 2024 schedule.

On Tuesday October 8, 2024 from 2:30pm to 3:20pm, the Mission Driven track’s ‘Community of Practice’ topic is ”Grant Funding Overview: Where to start when seeking federal funds for your public safety project”. It will be held in the George I room.

“A major obstacle when looking to fund any public safety projects is determining how to fund the project,” says the online session description. “Join Kamala Kuhn, Director of Grants Assistance for Public Sector Grants (PS Grants) to gain insight and learn about federal granting agencies with grant programs that support public safety projects, how to identify the grant programs that will most likely yield a successful application, various strategies to obtain funding, and how PS Grants provides invaluable assistance to agencies. She will review various cyclical grants available for public safety, as well as funding sources available through congressional appropriations.”

At the same time, the Mission Ready track will cover the Community of Practice topic, “The Crucial Role of Innovative Communications in Emergency Telemedicine” with speaker Deputy Chief Thomas Chenworth of the Washington, D.C. Fire & EMS Department in Niko I- IV.

“For the latest advancements in telemedicine, join key leadership of the Washington D.C. Fire & EMS Department for an enlightening session on the innovative programs in EMS telemedicine in the greater D.C. metro response area,” says the session description. “They will share insights into groundbreaking initiatives that are transforming emergency medical services in the nation’s capital. Key leadership will share examples and lessons learned on how FirstNet has optimized and amplified the use of technology in the field.”

Simultaneously to these two sessions, the Mission Capable track will feature FirstNet partners talking about Community of Practice content in George II. The specifics were still under development when this article was posted, so be sure to check for details at https://vision.thepsbta.org/schedule/.

Other sessions to consider attending include:

• “Go Big or Go Home: How We Work Together to Prepare for Large Scale Events” (Mission Ready track, October 8, 2024 11:00pm-11:50pm, Niko I-IV). In this panel discussion, state and local public safety professionals will share their experiences, best practices, and the crucial role of strategic partnerships to prepare first responders and the extended public safety community for major events such as the Super Bowl and the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix.
• “Connectivity in Chaos: Utilizing Network Assets During Response Operation” (Mission Ready track, October 8, 2024 1:30pm-2:20pm, Nike 1-IV). “In the wake of increasing natural disasters, unforeseen emergencies, and complex planned events, the integration of robust, resilient, and adaptive network solutions has become paramount in public safety response and recovery operations,” says the session description. Fire Chief Guy Bonin of New Iberia, LA will discuss the importance of optimizing FirstNet-dedicated network assets during emergency and planned events to master communications chaos.
• “Leveraging RapidSOS Unite for Enhanced Emergency Response and Situational Awareness” with speaker Karin Marquez. (Mission Capable track, October 9, 2024 11:00pm-11:50pm, George II). This session will explain RapidSOS Unite, an advanced emergency response platform that integrates real-time data from various sources to enhance situational awareness and improve outcomes during emergencies. It will explore RapidSOS Unit;s ability to ‘bridge the gap’ between 911 centers, first responders, and connected device data, ensuring that critical information reaches the right people at the right time.

To learn more about Vision 2024, this year’s three session tracks, and why your department should attend, go to https://vision.thepsbta.org/.