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Why FirstNet is the Preferred Network for First Responders

“This is why more than 30,000 U.S. first responder agencies are on FirstNet today,” said Michael A. Barnbeck, Deputy Executive Director of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association and Chair of the PSBTA Technology & Innovation Committee. “They use FirstNet because it provides life-saving features that are unmatched.”

RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces $1 Million Federal Investment to Upgrade Local 911 (NJ)

“When seconds count, communication saves lives,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), the Co-Chair for the Law Enforcement Caucus and member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “By clawing back more than $1 million of Bergenfield families’ own federal tax dollars, we’re making sure our first responders have reliable, modern communications equipment to protect our community — while also delivering real tax relief for our community.”

Jackson County Implements New Mass Notification System Through CivicPlus | (IL)

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (WSIL) — Jackson County has partnered with CivicPlus® to implement a new mass notification software designed to improve how the county communicates urgent and routine information to residents.The CivicPlus Mass Notification System will allow Jackson County officials to distribute emergency alerts, warnings, instructions, and general communications through multiple channels, including email, text messages, and voicemail. The system is intended to provide residents with timely, actionable information during emergencies, delivered through their preferred method of communication.

FirstNet reauthorization effort hits Congress – Route Fifty

Lawmakers in Congress have taken their first tentative steps towards reauthorizing authority for the nation’s dedicated public safety communications network ahead of its sunset in 2027.Advocates had already started gathering momentum towards reauthorizing the First Responder Network Authority, the dedicated communications network known as FirstNet. The effort has already received support from public safety officials via a joint letter and prior congressional testimony, while the National Association of State Chief Information Officers included it as a federal advocacy priority for 2026 .And elected officials are now taking a look themselves ahead of the February 2027 reauthorization deadline, initially with a Senate subcommittee hearing held this week. A House subcommittee hearing is slated to follow next week to discuss a just-introduced discussion draft of reauthorization legislation.

NTIA, FirstNet Governance, and the Risk to Public Safety Independence

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency within the Department of Commerce, appears to be pursuing a coup to take control over the FirstNet Authority. I have been informed that draft legislative language has been circulating that would materially alter FirstNet’s governance structure. Notably, credible reporters have contacted individuals for comment on legislation that those individuals had not seen—suggesting that information has been selectively shared outside stakeholder channels.

911 communications center expansion begins (NC)

A nearly $5 million project to expand the Perquimans-Gates 911 Communications Center has begun. “The 911 Center floor space will be moving from approximately 500 square feet to approximately 2,000 square feet,” said Jonathan Nixon, director of Perquimans County...

Transforming Public Safety with Mission-Critical Broadband

Reliable mission critical communications (MCC) is the gold standard for any public safety agency. In plain language, reliable MCC translates into voice, video, and data communications that must get through no matter how chaotic the incident scene is. In fact, the more...

Reauthorization SurveyMORE>

PSBTA Releases Survey on First Responder Support for FirstNet Reauthorization

New Survey: First Responders Overwhelmingly Support Reauthorization of FirstNet

A new bipartisan national survey commissioned by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association finds near- unanimous support among first responders for reauthorizing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority)– the agency overseeing America’s dedicated public safety broadband network.

PETITIONSMORE>

Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.

Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network

PSBTA UpdatesMORE>

Podcast

FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz Spectrum

This episode dives into the critical evolution of public safety communications, focusing on the recent FCC decision to establish a nationwide Band Manager framework for the 4.9 GHz spectrum, and discuss the evolution and deployment of the FirstNet System. Host Chris Tubbs interviews Chief Jeff Johnson, a leader in public safety technology and the development of FirstNet. Together, they explore the history, governance, and transformative potential of FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz spectrum in enhancing public safety operations with emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and augmented reality. The discussion emphasizes the importance of protecting and optimizing public safety spectrum, the lessons learned from past advocacy efforts, and a call to action for public safety leaders to remain engaged in ensuring the spectrum’s effective use and governance.


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Public Sector GrantsMORE>

Webinar

Accessing Federal Resources When an Emergency or Major Disaster Strikes

In light of the major disasters that our nation has recently experienced, PS Grants is offering this FREE webinar to review Disaster Assistance Programs and how to access them. Learn what federal funds and resources are available through Disaster Assistance, understand the process of requesting assistance, know what to expect before, during, and after, and find out who to contact for help.


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