Jane Edwards
At least 1,000 public safety agencies in the U.S. and its territories have adopted a national public safety broadband network set up by AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority through a public-private partnership.
Federal agencies, tribal safety agencies, school districts, state patrol agencies, volunteer firefighters and other first responders have used FirstNet to facilitate emergency communications during flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, active shooter incidents and search-and-recovery missions since May, AT&T said Thursday.
The company said FirstNet works to provide first responders with data sharing capabilities for situational awareness; access to real-time data; separate core to ensure security of communications; pre-emption across data and voice; and location services.
Chris Sambar, AT&T’s senior vice president for FirstNet, said the company considers the network as a public safety asset designed to help first responders perform lifesaving missions.
AT&T announced the launch this month of FirstNet wireless communications service plans for first responders.
