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The Law Enforcement Take: Summer 2021
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The Law Enforcement Take with Harry Markley
Emergency communications from 9/11 to today
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Twenty years ago, the 9/11 terrorist attacks forever changed our nation – and set a new course for the way public safety communicates. Today, FirstNet gives first responders an interoperable network available nationwide for communicating every day and in every emergency.
My experience on September 11
Many of us know exactly where we were and what we were doing when the 9/11 attacks happened. I was commander of the SWAT team for the Phoenix Police Department, and the news came early morning in our local time zone. I jumped in my vehicle and drove straight to work, not knowing when, where, or if the next attacks would happen.
Beginning that day and for many weeks that followed, my fellow officers and I worked 12-hour shifts seven days a week to stay in front of the threat. We monitored Arizona’s critical infrastructure, nuclear station, and power supply.
The next month, Arizona hosted the World Series. It was the first national championship since the 9/11 attacks, and government warnings indicated terrorists could strike again. My job as tactical command was to make sure the World Series venue was secure and safe. This required coordination among a large swath of public safety and other government agencies, a complex task using all the different communication systems of the time.
From 9/11 to today
In the second game of the 2001 World Series, I listened to Ray Charles sing “God Bless America” and watched stealth fighter planes fly overhead. We staffed that game communicating with land-mobile radios.
Fast forward 20 years to a different stadium and a different game, and it’s a new world for public safety communications. Today the Green Bay Police Department staffs Green Bay Packers football games using FirstNet and benefits from an interoperable network available to all agencies, providing priority and preemption for first responders.
Even during big plays when network congestion is highest, FirstNet gives the Green Bay Police Department faster speeds, better data exchanges, and clearer calls. Because of FirstNet’s priority and preemption, officers can communicate amid a stadium full of fans livestreaming, texting, and posting on social media.
“The main reason we switched to FirstNet was the ability to communicate with our officers in the field during the game,” said Paul Ebel, Green Bay Police’s Investigative Commander who oversees special events, including Packers games. “The FirstNet devices totally outperform what we had.”
Out of tragedy, a public safety network is born
The tragedies of 9/11 revealed fundamental problems with communication systems used by our nation’s first responders. The radios relied on by police, fire, and paramedics did not easily operate across different agencies. Land and mobile phone lines were overwhelmed by a high volume of calls. First responders struggled to communicate with each other.
As a result of those challenges, the 9/11 Commission Report recommended establishing an interoperable nationwide network dedicated to public safety communications.
Building on the commission’s recommendation, the public safety community joined together to advocate before Congress for their own broadband network – one that would serve first responders’ unique communications needs. They advocated for a network that would provide interoperability and innovation to communicate with each other through disasters, large events, and everyday emergencies.
As a result, a law was passed allocating $7 billion and 20 megahertz of broadband spectrum to establish a network for the nation's public safety workers. It also established the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet Authority, to ensure the buildout, operation, and maintenance of that network.
Now, public safety’s nationwide broadband network – FirstNet – is a reality. FirstNet has supported law enforcement in almost every type of emergency or incident, from sporting events, natural disasters, and search and rescue, to coping with and confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. And public safety has been quick to adopt the network – reaching more than 2.2 million network connections this year.
Your experience
What are your communication experiences since 9/11? How can FirstNet help your law enforcement operations? Send me an email to let me know your thoughts. Or find me or one of my FirstNet Authority colleagues at these events:
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We delivered on our promise to public safety to expand coverage with new investments in the FirstNet deployable program. Now, when faced with damaged infrastructure, remote environments, or crowded events, first responders can call on 100+ deployables, including SatCOLTS (satellite cell on light trucks), the new Communications Vehicles, or a Compact Rapid Deployable.
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Using the FirstNet Uplift Request Tool, public safety can temporarily elevate extended primary users like utilities or public works to the same priority level as primary users. When utility workers are restoring services after disaster, their uplifted devices get priority access to network resources so they can coordinate with first responders.
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The FirstNet Authority conducted a wildfire working group to examine how firefighters use FirstNet in wildfire response, and their lessons learned. Our team spoke to several agencies and firefighters told us about real-life communication challenges and successes during wildfire response and came away with five things to know about FirstNet and wildfires.
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At the intersection of STEM and public safety, female innovators are working to make first responders’ jobs easier and more efficient. Our recent podcast showcases three women in STEM as they discuss their experiences and highlight current projects.
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Tech, Innovations, and Hot Topics in Law Enforcement
Read what we’ve been hearing from public safety in the field about trends and drivers for law enforcement and emergency communications.*
New technology in police cars is helping to keep K9s safe from overheating when left inside during high temperatures. The police vehicles are equipped with heat sensors. When the temperature rises to an unsafe level for the K9, an app will send a text message to the handler and other designees so they know to help the dog.
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FirstNet Authority Law Enforcement Subject Matter Expert Harry Markley reflects on his 30+ years in law enforcement and how FirstNet brings greater situational awareness to officers, ultimately making them safer. Learn more at FirstNet.gov/Police
Watch the video and read Harry's interview about how he sees a safer, more secure future with FirstNet. |
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Harry Markley is a Senior Public Safety Advisor and the First Responder Network Authority Law Enforcement Subject Matter Expert. Learn more about Harry or email him with your questions. |
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Top photo: Law enforcement agencies in Michigan are taking advantage of mission critical capabilities on FirstNet, such as priority and preemption. For the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, this means officers and deputies are able to communicate and have access to the tools they need in the field, ultimately helping them better serve their communities.
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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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