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The 9-1-1 Take: Spring 2022
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The 9-1-1 Take with John Hunt
Indiana includes FirstNet in 9-1-1 support
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I’ve often said that 9-1-1 telecommunicators are the first of the first responders. During an emergency, 9-1-1 is the public’s first point of contact—which presents unique challenges for telecommunicators. I recently talked with Andrea Baughn, Indiana’s deputy statewide interoperability coordinator and 9-1-1- liaison, on how her state is supporting emergency communication centers.
FirstNet in the ECC
Indiana takes a unique approach to public safety communications. A standalone commission called the Indiana Integrated Public Safety Commission oversees all public safety communications in the state. The commission is kicking off a new initiative called Project Gold Line to support the 100+ emergency communication centers in Indiana.
One goal of the project is to introduce new FirstNet technology into 9-1-1 operations. “In the near future, we will show some demonstrations of ways that 9-1-1 centers can start utilizing FirstNet inside the dispatch center,” Baughn said.
Baughn posits that push-to-talk is one FirstNet feature that could be especially helpful to 9-1-1 operations. FirstNet’s push-to-talk solutions allow telecommunicators to use a smartphone to instantaneously communicate with groups or individuals, with the option to connect with integrated land-mobile radio systems.
Tactical dispatch with FirstNet
Another goal of Project Gold Line is to prepare 9-1-1 staff to be more involved in the communications unit during disaster response. “Disasters start locally and end locally,” said Baughn. “We’re trying to bridge that gap between the emergency response COMU [communications unit] and the 9-1-1 center during incidents.”
Indiana is offering incident tactical dispatcher training to their telecommunicators. FirstNet can play an important role in tactical dispatching. Because the network offers interoperability, reliability, and priority and preemption to public safety, FirstNet allows tactical dispatch teams to function in the field with the same technical capabilities as if they were sitting in the dispatch center.
Unique public safety features like uplift
Beyond introducing Indiana’s telecommunicators to the basics of FirstNet, Baughn said they hope to also educate them about one of the network’s unique public safety features called FirstNet Uplift.
Primary FirstNet users like 9-1-1 telecommunicators, law enforcement, EMS, firefighters, and emergency managers always get the highest level of priority on the network. Utility workers, transportation employees, and public works staff can also subscribe to FirstNet because these agencies play an important role in responding to disasters. The FirstNet Uplift tool is used during an emergency to temporarily provide this extended community with the same priority level as primary users.
“If there's a disaster or even a large event in your area, it’s a huge piece to have the 9-1-1 centers—since they typically end up managing most of the communication in a disaster or planned event—know how to uplift their responders so that they're getting the top priority with FirstNet,” said Baughn.
Challenges ahead
In rolling out Project Gold Line, Indiana faces challenges that are representative of those faced by other emergency communication centers. One is that the 9-1-1 community has traditionally been reluctant to use mobile communications in their work. A vanguard of emergency communication centers across the country are changing that by bringing innovative approaches to 9-1-1 operations.
Many 9-1-1 centers have turned to FirstNet as a backup system to ensure they will always be connected and able to operate. Other emergency communication centers are using FirstNet for more advanced issues like remote operations during the pandemic. Indiana is hoping that their 9-1-1 centers will use FirstNet to support operations.
“We're always looking for them to be thinking of an alternative means of communication. If something happens, what backups do they have in place?” said Baughn. “Definitely utilizing FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, is a good backup solution for a lot of these centers.”
Your experience
What is your experience with using FirstNet in the emergency communication center? I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email or find me or my colleagues at one of these upcoming events:
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The FirstNet Authority Board approved an investment to enhance in-building technologies – because public safety told us indoor coverage is a top priority. First responders can deploy these small cell technologies where they need it most: in police headquarters, fire stations, emergency communication centers, or field locations.
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Emergencies know no boundaries, a reality that first responders live every day. That’s why coverage is king for public-safety communications. In a decade of FirstNet, the network is bringing increased coverage, more deployables, and 5G to the places where public safety’s mission takes them.
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Did you know? The FirstNet Authority hosts webinars on how to use FirstNet’s unique public safety features. Register for our next session on extended primary users about FirstNet for hospitals, utilities, clean-up crews, and other personnel critical to incident response. Bookmark FirstNet.gov/events for more.
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Every spring, the FirstNet Authority celebrates public safety during recognition weeks honoring those who serve in emergency communications, the fire service, law enforcement, and EMS, as well as public servants and volunteers. Thank you, first responders, for keeping our communities safe!
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Tech, Innovations, and Hot Topics in 9-1-1
Read what we’ve been hearing from public safety in the field about trends and drivers for 9-1-1 and emergency communications.*
The town of Chatham, New Jersey, is starting a pilot program for "reverse 9-1-1" calls. Using all its technology, such as license-plate readers and community alerts, public safety will notify residents when there’s an auto theft or an attempted theft with a reminder to lock and secure vehicles.
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In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Weeks, FirstNet Authority Board member and Acting Director of the Office of Unified Communications Karima Holmes shares her thoughts on the importance of public safety telecommunicators.
Watch the video |
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John Hunt is a Senior Public Safety Advisor and the First Responder Network Authority 9-1-1 Subject Matter Expert. Learn more about John or email him with your questions. |
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Top photo: At the Maryland Association of Counties' winter conference, 9-1-1 specialists set up call equipment in a large conference room and took live calls from their home counties or monitored calls happening at their counties' emergency communication centers.
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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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