America’s Public Safety Network Surpasses 2.81 Million Square Miles, Expands First Responder Access to 5G and Strengthens Commitment to Mission-Ready Infrastructure (Courtesy of FirstNet and AT&T)
In the nearly 5 years since AT&T was selected by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) to build and operate FirstNet®, the company moved quickly to bring more coverage, boost capacity and drive new capabilities for first responders and the communities they serve, whether they be rural, urban and tribal.
To date the public safety community on FirstNet has access to the nation’s largest coverage footprint, reaching more than 2.81 million square miles across the country. That means they cover more than 50,000 square miles above that of the largest commercial networks (about the size of Alabama), enabling more first responders access to an entire ecosystem of innovative solutions to keep them mission ready…
Across the United States, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) are understaffed. PSAPs are the crucial call centers where operators receive 911 calls and route them to the appropriate emergency service personnel—such as police departments, fire departments, or emergency medical services (EMS). Although staffing is a perennial problem for PSAPs, COVID-19 has further exacerbated the issue and put already overburdened staff under increasing amounts of stress.
At a time when more people are seeking work/life balance and positive mental health, it’s easy to surmise that many PSAP call-takers and dispatchers may be leaving the industry for jobs that are better paid, have nicer schedules, or that don’t require the stressful daily navigation of traumatic events… READ MORE
We will be in Washington, DC next week to participate in a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the bill that created FirstNet. Thus there will not be an Advocate next week but I will recap the anniversary activities the following week.
The survey we posted three weeks ago is still up and, again, if you have not had time to respond, I hope you will be able to take a few minutes to complete it this week. Thanks to all who have responded and those who will respond this week…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded AT&T four separate contracts for modernized communications capabilities to help FEMA improve its ability to deliver its mission to help people before, during, and after disasters.
The four Task Orders, awarded via the General Services Administration’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract, are valued at more than ~$167 million over five years if all options are exercised.
In awarding these agreements, FEMA selects AT&T as its single integrated communications provider for the vast majority of its telecommunications services. These awards allow FEMA to identify and acquire advanced communications capabilities quickly and efficiently…
Not many people can understand or empathize with the things first responders encounter during an emergency or even on a daily basis. Public safety service comes with great personal sacrifice, and many first responders silently carry the burden. Trauma can be difficult to discuss with others. First responders are dedicated to protecting others and too often, put themselves at the bottom of the priority list.
People don’t call 9-1-1 because they’re having a good day. And those experiences, those images that stay rooted in the mind, take a toll. Compared to the general population, first responders experience higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress, burnout, anxiety and other mental health issues. And in law enforcement, one study found a more than 20-year difference in life expectancy compared to the average American male…
By: David Buchanan, Director of Public Safety Engagement, First Responder Network Authority
As a part of the COVID-19 response, first responders are turning to FirstNet-enabled devices to make emergency communications efficient and effective during this critical time. From connecting socially distant 9-1-1 call takers to coordinating logistics for distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) across state lines, FirstNet-enabled devices have played a supporting role in mitigating health risks in communities across the nation. The network’s mission critical capabilities, like priority and preemption, are allowing first responders to send and receive information seamlessly.
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
