02/26/17
FirstNet Basics
Among first responders, FirstNet is widely known. However, describing FirstNet to others who do not work in emergency services can be a challenge, depending on how familiar the other person is with the role of communications in first response efforts. To help, FirstNet has produced great introductory videos. Here is a video you can share with those who are not already tracking FirstNet’s work.
02/17/17
Smart Cities and FirstNet
Much is being written about IoT or the “internet of things” and its impact on cities—particularly smart cities. Smart cities are those with sufficient digital infrastructure to collect, monitor, and analyze data in real time in order to impact the management of important community services.
FirstNet will help cities better manage unplanned events/emergencies. This video provides an excellent overview of how FirstNet will equip smart cities.
02/11/17
EMS Teams Need Consistently Fast Network
FirstNet officials attended the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) conference in New Orleans recently. NAEMSP members highlighted the need for dependable and real-time data while providing emergency care aware from medical facilities.
Often times, EMS services’ data is carried over commercial networks that can be slower in times of heavy use. Time and information is critical to patient care. FirstNet offers the potential to provide consistent and fast data access for EMS professionals providing healthcare in emergency situations.
02/02/17
Video: FirstNet Lab Tests Coverage
FirstNet’s Innovation and Test Lab is conducting an analysis of coverage reliability. Dropping a call or having data interrupted may be inconvenient, but it isn’t life threatening typically. For first responders using FirstNet, the seamless reliability of access to the network will be critical.
The FirstNet Lab in Boulder, Colorado is conducting tests to measure mobile reliability. Use the following link to read more.
01/26/17
NASCIO Priorities for 2017 Include FirstNet
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) includes FirstNet as a 2017 advocacy priority. State CIOs are often the single point of contact for FirstNet. Coordination with states and governors will be critical in 2017 as governors must decide to “opt-in or opt-out” of the FirstNet network.
Read the full NASCIO release here.
01/19/17
Video: Rural and Urban Communities Need Dedicated First Responder Network
The ability to share information in real-time is critical to successful safety and first response. This brief video demonstrates the importance of fluid and secure network connections for high impact coordination of first response resources. The subject matter expert in the video correctly states that citizens for the most part assume the capability for first responders to seamlessly share information across multiple platforms is already in place. FirstNet is key to making it happen.
01/12/17
Discussing Public Safety Technology at CES 2017
The CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is where the world’s consumer technologies are showcased for 50 years. The 2017 event was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 5-8. Amidst the many new and exciting technological innovations was a discussion on public safety technology and what’s next. FirstNet President T.J. Kennedy and other public safety professionals joined the panel discussion and explained how broadband can power a public safety transformation.
01/09/17
$30M Grant Funds Available for Broadband Apps and Innovations
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR) recently announced a $30 million grant opportunity toward innovative digital tools for first responders and FirstNet’s national public safety communications network. 
01/07/17
$30M Grant Funds Available for Broadband Apps and Innovations
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR) recently announced a $30 million grant opportunity toward innovative digital tools for first responders and FirstNet’s national public safety communications network.
12/22/16
FirstNet Will Move Quickly Once Vendor is Awarded
Though the announcement by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as to the private telecommunications company chosen to deploy the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network has been delayed, FirstNet leaders say they are ready to move aggressively once the announcement is made.
“We have the rigor in place. We are an up-and-running organization just as Congress intended,” FirstNet CEO Mike Poth said at the organization’s quarterly meeting held Dec. 14. “We are here and it’s done, and we are ready.”
