Broadband infrastructure remains limited in rural communities, making it difficult for local public safety to stay connected and respond quickly to emergencies. In Shade Gap, Pennsylvania, this has meant dropped 9-1-1 calls and significant communications challenges for the mountainous area. With the launch of a new FirstNet cell site in Shade Gap, local first responders now have access to high-speed, reliable cellular connectivity that is enhancing public safety for residents and visitors.

Episode 67: Connecting the Community: Bringing Broadband to Rural Pennsylvania

The Super Bowl — America’s largest sporting event — requires significant pre-planning to ensure the safety of players, staff, and spectators. Coordinating public safety communications for Super Bowl LVII involved more than a dozen different cities and jurisdictions and posed unique challenges, including overlap with another major sporting event the same week. Through the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program, public safety officials in Arizona received pre-planning assistance for the Super Bowl, helping responders be ready on game day.

Episode 68: Getting ahead of the game: Pre-planning for Super Bowl LVII

In Charles County, Maryland, the school district has adopted FirstNet’s secure and dependable network to ensure communication during emergency and day-to-day situations. The school district has also integrated the use of drones into their school security plans, enhancing situational awareness for responders so they can more efficiently respond to emergencies.

Episode 69: FirstNet goes to school: Keeping Maryland students safe with public safety broadband

The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, known as Meskwaki Nation, is the only federally recognized tribe in Iowa. The Meskwaki Police Department uses FirstNet for reliable connectivity across the reservation.
FirstNet coverage helps tribal police officers communicate during everyday operations and planned events in the community, including the annual Powwow. 

Episode 84: FirstNet brings reliable coverage to Meskwaki Nation and tribal lands in Iowa

Fred Scalera, AT&T's director of government program management for FirstNet, highlights the permanent infrastructure and deployable assets that AT&T has put in place to support both first-responder and audience communications during this weekend's Super Bowl in Los Angeles. During its two-year preparation for the event, AT&T has invested $2.7 billion to improve coverage and capacity in the area, including additional support for FirstNet and 5G services.

FirstNet, built by AT&T: Fred Scalera talks public-safety-communications efforts for Super Bowl

The evolution of technology has changed the landscape of search and rescue missions — clearing radio airwaves for essential traffic and mission critical information. Travis Hull, Kate Cummings, Ben Lawrence, and Jason Day explore how broadband solutions have increased operation efficiencies, live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit. 

Episode 85: Live at 5x5 Clearing the Air — The Digital Evolution of Search and Rescue

The “Public Safety First” podcast gives first responders and other public safety professionals a front-row seat and invites them to join the discussion about FirstNet, America’s first nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety. Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

New tracks tagged #FirstNet