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Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congressional Action Required to Ensure Network Continuity
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is responsible for establishing a nationwide public-safety broadband network. GAO identified four key statutory requirements and contract responsibilities currently performed by FirstNet that the Congress should address...
9-1-1 Shared Services Pact Between Caldwell and West Caldwell is Terminated (NJ)
CALDWELL, NJ -- The Caldwell Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution on Feb. 15 that terminates a shared services agreement with West Caldwell for 911 emergency and non-emergency dispatch services. The agreement initially began in 2017 and will terminate...
A look inside Lucas County 911 dispatch (OH)
Fire crews were sent to the wrong location a few weeks ago. Here's how officials are addressing it More than 1,000 calls come into Lucas County 911 dispatch everyday. And since a countywide 911 consolidation last fall of those calls now go to a central dispatching...
Skagit 911 dispatch center to accept texts requesting help starting March 1 (WA)
Skagit County will begin accepting text messages to 911 starting March 1. Helen Rasmussen, director of Skagit 911, said the upgrade will ensure that those who are hard of hearing or have a speech disorder can contact emergency services without specialized equipment....
AT&T marks $130B invested into FirstNet over 5 years
NEW YORK — On Tuesday, AT&T announced it hit a major milestone with $130 billion invested into FirstNet, its communication platform designed for first responders. The platform was created in 2017, and since then has amassed more than three million users...
FirstNet at 10: A Decade of Dedication to Public Safety
By Edward Parkinson, CEO, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority)Broadband has become the lifeblood of our economy. It is also essential to our national security and public safety, a fact that first responders recognized many years ago. The tragedies of...
Sunrise Beach Police Awarded Grant To Enhance Communications (MO)
The Sunrise Beach Police Department received a nearly $10-thousand grant to enhance communication for officers patrolling the city. The grant is being awarded through the Missouri Department of Public Safety and will allow the police department to upgrade in-car...
Program enables emergency responders to enter your home without damaging the front door (CT)
MONROE, CT — A town program helps emergency responders get to participants quickly in times of need — without breaking down the door down to enter their home. The town’s contact and access program is endorsed by the Monroe TRIAD, police department and the Commission...
Emergency alerts were a problem long before the Marshall fire (CO)
More than 10,000 calls warning residents to flee failed when the Waldo Canyon fire exploded near Colorado Springs in 2012. Thousands of people were left without warnings as flames destroyed 347 homes and killed two people. Emergency alert failures dogged Colorado 10...
Skype 911 Call Update: How to Use New Feature, Enable Emergency Location Sharing
After 18 years in the market, the latest Skype update finally allows users to utilize the said video conferencing app for emergency calls. In addition to this, the said Skype 911 call update now lets users to share location. "The three-digit telephone number...
FirstNet success means no hypothetical ‘shots’ need to be fired, Swenson says
As public-safety officials today commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the FirstNet Authority being created, the deployment of the FirstNet nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) has proceeded well enough that no one needs to face a firing squad,...
FirstNet Exceeds 2M First Responder Connections
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...
A new bill would allow compensation benefits for first responders with PTSD (KS)
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -Several spoke Monday in favor of Senate Bill 491, which would allow first responders to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they develop PTSD on the job. Senate Bill 491 would allow workers compensation benefits for treatment, time off, or...
Bill to designate dispatchers as first responders (IL)
(WAND) - Emergency dispatchers are the first to answer the call for help. But in Illinois, they are categorized as clerical staff - not first responders. Now, a bill moving through the Illinois Senate could change that. "Dispatchers are the lifeline, the vital...
Maine is 1st New England state with alerts for disabled kids
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine has become the first state in New England to create an alert system for missing children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Maine Department of Public Safety and supporters of the new system said it addresses a gap in...
Coos Bay voters to decide on new library, communications center (OR)
COOS BAY, Ore. – Coos Bay voters will be asked to approve a $20 million bond measure for a new combined library and 911 communications center. The City Council unanimously approved placing the bond measure on the upcoming May ballot during a meeting this week. The...
Iredell commissioners approve purchase of $8 million VIPER communications system (NC)
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners reviewed several funding requests for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during their winter retreat on Friday. So far, Iredell County has received $17,656,842 in ARPA funds, which are provided by the federal government to...
New 911 system allows for better interconnection with agencies, texting to 911 (ND)
Stutsman County’s new 911 system will allow for better interconnection with state agencies, better workflow and texting to 911 to local dispatchers, according to Emergency Manager Andrew Kirking. The new 911 system was installed the week of Jan. 17. Stutsman County is...
Enhanced 9-1-1 expands across state (VA)
A new fast, more efficient iteration of Virginia’s 9-1-1 system is now active in about 20% of the state, including Henrico County. In total, the new system is serving about 43% of the state’s population. During the past four years, the Virginia Department of Emergency...
County unveils new 911/EOC center (KY)
It’s almost moving day for Pulaski County 911. The 911 center and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) held a ribbon cutting and open house for its new facility Friday, welcoming the public to view its new space in the basement of the Hal Rogers Fire Training Center....
UPCOMING WEBINARREGISTER>
FirstNet Independence: A governance case study
Thursday, February 19, 2026
1:30 PM PT | 2:30 PM MT | 3:30 PM CT | 4:30 PM ET
As we are near the time Congress must reauthorize FirstNet, there needs to be a discussion on the review of FirstNet Governance. Join former FirstNet Board Chairs Sue Swenson, Chief Richard Carrizzo, and former Vice-Chair Chief Jeff Johnson, as they discuss the value of an independent FirstNet Authority, program oversight, and the need to protect and advance the nation’s public safety network.
The creation of the FirstNet Authority marked a deliberate and historic policy decision by Congress to establish an independent, nationwide public-safety broadband authority insulated from traditional departmental control. Born out of the lessons of 9/11 and codified in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, FirstNet was designed to operate with a singular mission: to ensure reliable, interoperable communications for the nation’s first responders. The discussion will examine the governance structure, rationale for its statutory independence, and oversight model.
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.
LISTEN TO PODCAST
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.
REGISTER
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