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The Fire Services Take: Fall 2020
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The Fire Service Take by Mike Worrell
FirstNet is different than commercial networks
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When I think of FirstNet, the first things that come to mind are the network services, devices, and apps. These important features are transforming the way public safety communicates and shares information during emergencies and daily operations. But did you know more is at work behind the scenes? FirstNet is different than commercial networks because of its history, government oversight, and collaboration with public safety.
FirstNet was established by Congress
Like many changes in the fire service, FirstNet was a solution to a problem. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, phone lines were jammed and first responders struggled to communicate across agencies. Too many line-of-duty deaths have been attributed to communication failures, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation. That’s why the public safety community proposed that Congress create an agency to oversee the planning, buildout and operation of the first nationwide public safety broadband network.
FirstNet is unique because of oversight
The law passed in 2012 created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) to serve in that role. Because of this approach, the FirstNet network provides more oversight and assurances than most commercial carriers. This is because the FirstNet Authority oversees the network’s availability, performance, and enhancements, making sure it delivers what public safety asked for and needs from a network.
- Congress established the FirstNet Authority to oversee the nationwide public safety broadband network. Through a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, the FirstNet Authority awarded and oversees a 25-year contract with AT&T for the buildout, operation, and maintenance of FirstNet. FirstNet Authority staff are dedicated to monitoring deliverables of the contract and performance of the network, and the contract provides for recourse if deliverables are missed or performance lags.
FirstNet is different than commercial networks
FirstNet is built for public safety by public safety. Before the shovel hit dirt for the first cell site, the FirstNet Authority was consulting with public safety in all 56 states and territories to understand where coverage and capacity were needed.
My colleagues and I at the FirstNet Authority have deep backgrounds in the fire service and other public safety disciplines. We understand that first responders may operate in remote and sparsely populated environments, not just in areas with a profitable customer base. First responders require specialized devices for demanding conditions, not just devices that provide the best market position.
We continue to turn to public safety for input on how best to advance the network. From October 2019 to September 2020 (FY2020), the FirstNet Authority held 1,250 engagements with public safety, reaching more than 30,000 stakeholders. These engagements helped us develop an updated Roadmap for the network and make investments in key areas of the network, such as upgrades for 5G and more deployables, based on public safety’s feedback.
Your experience
The FirstNet Authority’s fire service team is focused on supporting you. We’d love to hear your feedback. Send me an email to share your experiences and ideas.
The FirstNet Authority is participating in the International Associations of Fire Chiefs’ Wildland Urban Interface Conference on November 4-5. I hope you'll check it out.
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Tech, Innovations, and Hot Topics in Fire Service
Read what we’ve been hearing from public safety in the field about trends and drivers for fire services and emergency communications.*
One fire chief in California is working with the tech industry to test wireless sensors in the tree canopy to detect wildfires. The sensors use software to communicate with low-Earth-orbit satellites to find fires when they first begin. The sensors’ data train the software working with the satellites. Eventually artificial intelligence would allow the satellites to detect fires on their own by recognizing the specific features of a nascent fire.
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The FirstNet network core provides first responders with a foundation for advancing their use of mobile broadband with mission critical features they never had before. The FirstNet core network is based on 4G LTE technology. The next generation of cellular technology, 5G, is on the horizon and in the process of being implemented around the world by more than 200 cellular operators. In addition to greater device capacity, the 5G architecture breaks the core into many smaller pieces and locates them all over the network. This creates increased resiliency, more redundancy, improved security and puts users physically closer to where the networks higher order computing takes place.
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Mike Worrell is an Area Director and the First Responder Network Authority Fire Services Subject Matter Expert. Learn more about Mike or email him with your questions. |
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*FirstNet Authority may provide hyperlinks for third-party, non-governmental websites in order to offer additional context and added value for our users. FirstNet Authority does not endorse any product or service and is not responsible, nor can it guarantee the validity or timeliness of the content on hyperlinks outside of the federal government. In addition, users may wish to review privacy notices on non-government sites since their information collection practices may differ from ours.
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