Blog post by Edward Parkinson, CEO, FirstNet Authority Every day, first responders across the country put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe. An estimated 4.6 million people serve as career and volunteer firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics in the United States. Their daily jobs come with extraordinary challenges that they face with bravery and dedication...

Under the leadership of Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Department of Commerce is playing a key role in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Commerce bureaus are providing economic assistance through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to U.S. communities and businesses affected by the pandemic; trade and export assistance to U.S. businesses; real-time...

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is an independent agency within the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration that oversees a communications network dedicated to emergency responders and the public safety community. The FirstNet Authority was established after the events of September 11, 2001 to create a nationwide broadband...

As the summer months heat up, so too does hurricane season. With the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2020, first responders must be prepared. FirstNet, the only nationwide, purpose-built network for public safety, has been battle tested and designed to keep first responders connected...

From natural disasters to critical incidents and everyday emergencies, first responders have experienced time and time again why communication is so crucial to their operations. Since its creation, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) has worked with first responders to understand what they need in a network and what technologies can support and enhance those efforts. The...

Never is the nexus of public safety response and economic impact more prevalent than during a disaster. From flooding to hurricanes and wildfires, during a disaster, it is imperative that public safety and local officials have the best tools and technologies to save lives. Having this critical response infrastructure is also instrumental in helping local economies recover and remain resilient into...

The following is a cross-post from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) marked a significant milestone today with release of a new Roadmap for the future of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network. Unveiled at the APCO International Conference and...