More first responders choose FirstNet to communicate
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) has partnered with AT&T to deliver America’s public safety network, more agencies think fire, law enforcement and EMS trust FirstNet, Built with AT&T to communicate than any other network.
In short, the network that public safety demanded is delivering.
“After just 6 years of partnership, we are proud to see how far FirstNet has come,” says Joseph M. Wassel, CEO, FirstNet Authority. “The network is serving public safety in every state and territory, making a positive impact on responder operations and our nation’s communities every day. The FirstNet Authority looks forward to collaborating with public safety to ensure the network grows and evolves to meet their needs now and in the future.”
As public safety’s partner, they understand they must earn and re-earn their trust each day. That’s why they’re laser-focused on delivering not only a mission-ready network but an entire public safety ecosystem that is second-to-none for decades to come.
“Reliable connectivity for public safety’s mission needs is critical to helping save lives and protect our communities,” says Jim Bugel, president FirstNet, AT&T. “That’s why America’s first responders are choosing FirstNet more than any other network. And as we enter the next stage of delivering public safety’s network, AT&T will continue to be held to a higher standard, ensuring that FirstNet is there for public safety no matter the emergency.”
To further celebrate the anniversary of the creation of FirstNet, they’ve launched the new Mini Compact Rapid Deployable for FirstNet. Now available for public safety agencies to purchase, these agency-owned assets are 80% smaller and half the price of the CRD for FirstNet, which has been instrumental in first responders’ emergency response during wildfires and last year’s Hurricane Ian.
The miniCRD consists of 2 ultra-portable ruggedised cases each about the size of checked luggage. It covers up to ½ mile, links to FirstNet via satellite without relying on commercial power availability and a single person can deploy it within a matter of minutes. And with on-the-go coverage, public safety will have dedicated Band 14 connectivity wherever it’s needed.
FirstNet is proud to cover more first responders than any network. And with the nation’s largest coverage footprint of more than 2.91 million square miles, public safety on FirstNet have access to 250,000+ more square miles than competing commercial network offerings. Plus, with always-on priority and preemption, our first responders don’t have to dial special codes or take extra measures to ensure their critical communications get through.
“The new technology available with FirstNet allows public safety across the country to stay better connected when they need to the most which is why so many firefighters and other first responders are turning to the network,” says chief Bob Horton (Ret.), deputy executive director, Western Fire Chiefs Association. We are excited by the way FirstNet continues to grow and evolve to better suit the needs of public safety and we look forward to the future of FirstNet.”
Today, more than 25,000 public safety agencies and organisations are on FirstNet. And it’s built for all first responders federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, urban, rural and more. This includes federal agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service (IHS) that support tribal communities across the country, Superior Ambulance one of the latest agencies to sign on to FirstNet whose paramedics support communities across the Midwest, and even individual first responders who are easily making the move thanks to ‘FirstNet and Family’.
“The high level of availability provided by FirstNet allows our paramedics across the region in both rural and urban areas to stay connected whenever needed,” says Michael Tillman, vice president, Superior Ambulance. “Whether we are deployed on standby for events like the Chicago Marathon, working through winter storms or responding to daily emergencies, FirstNet allows us to have the priority and preemption that keeps our paramedics and our communities safer.”
They look at FirstNet as the important wireless network in the country because it’s delivering the interoperable connectivity first responders require to stay mission ready. And it’s transformed the way AT&T operates, from evolving disaster response to doubling down on network resiliency, truly making us a public safety-centric communications company.
Comment on this article below or via Twitter @IoTGN