First Responders: Behind the Numbers, Beyond the Call

Written by: Craig Martinez

Firefighters are dispatched to a fire every 21 seconds. Law Enforcement handles 14 million calls and Emergency Medical Technicians respond to 28.5 million emergencies a year. Behind each of these numbers are the dedicated first responders who answer the call.

It took me nearly 23 years in law enforcement, including time as Chief of Police in Utah, to fully grasp the weight of what first responders do every day. Now, as a civilian, I see it even more clearly—not just from my experience in law enforcement, but through the eyes of all our first responders.

I remember the graveyard shifts from 9 PM to 7 AM, responding alongside paramedics to accidents where seconds mattered, coordinating with fire departments during critical incidents. Each service—police, fire, EMS—playing their crucial role in keeping our communities safe. I'd come home with stories I couldn't fully share, trying to protect my family from the harsh realities of the job. My wife was stunned when I told her about a 2 AM foot chase, saying, "I'm sleeping while you're out chasing people with guns?"

Just ask any paramedic about split-second decisions during trauma calls, or a firefighter about battling one of the 37,000 wildfires fought this year—they'll tell you the same thing: communication isn't just a tool, it's a lifeline that can mean the difference between life and death.

The evolution of technology has transformed this lifeline dramatically. When I started with the Utah Highway Patrol in 1998, I was one of the first in the state to have a laptop mounted in my patrol car. Today, emergency response has been revolutionized. Fire crews use thermal imaging to navigate smoke-filled buildings. Paramedics transmit vital signs to hospitals in real-time. Police cruisers have become full-on mobile offices.

In this line of work, every second counts. Picture pulling over a driver wanted for homicide in another state, or firefighters needing immediate building blueprints, or paramedics requiring instant access to a patient's medical history. Getting that information in seconds rather than minutes saves lives—both the responders' and the public.

That's why my current role as National Public Safety Advisor at T-Mobile focuses on advancing technology at a rapid pace. With 5G, AI, and AR, we're transforming emergency response. Take search-and-rescue missions in Utah's rugged mountains—missions I've been part of myself. Drones now provide real-time, high-definition video, doing the work of 50-70 people in just minutes, instead of hours.

But technology is only as good as its ability to work when needed most. During major emergencies, both first responders and the public need reliable connectivity. People need to evacuate, find loved ones, and access emergency services. If they lose connection, the burden falls back on first responders, making their jobs even tougher.

That’s why we built T-Priority, the world’s first network slice for first responders that creates an “emergency lane” during network congestion. Combined with solutions from best-in-class partners like GETAC and Motorola, and supported by our 24/7 Emergency Response team, we ensure first responders have what they need in critical moments, while keeping the public connected.

This commitment takes on special meaning on First Responders Day. Because it's about more than just saying thank you—it's about taking action to support law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. With a team that brings together over 1,200 years of combined field experience, we're not just building technology; we're creating solutions that help first responders stay safe while they do the same for us.

We understand that behind every statistic is a story, behind every call is a person seeking assistance, and behind every response is a dedicated first responder. That's why we're committed to supporting them not just today, but every day.