FirstNet-Why it is important to America

As a new AT&T team member, I was reviewing the FirstNet program and what it really means to America’s First Responders and the Americans they serve and protect.  In the wake of the 911attacks, the 911 Commission recommend critical changes to our Nation’s First Responder Networks, to facilitate future Emergency Responses, based on lessons learned. Those recommendations were inculcated in the FirstNet Program. 

 As a survivor of the Pentagon attack, in an Army leadership role, my mind immediately returned to that day. I have included a photo (above) of where my office was, the gaping hole was where I would have normally conducted business. Fortunately, there was a renovation project ongoing and we had moved two corridors away - from the point of entry. On that day, 11 September 2001, unimaginable horror came to our country as terrorists turned airliners filled with innocent people into lethal weapons. As one terrible blow after another hit in New York City, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, ordinary Americans tasked with First Responder roles responded heroically to these extraordinary events. We in the military were particularly proud of our own who displayed the highest qualities of courage and selflessness on that day, whether that meant rushing into the World Trade Center, regardless of personal safety concerns, helping injured comrades out of the burning Pentagon or organizing rescue and recovery activities. I especially remember those we lost during the attack. What is extremely exciting, on a personal level, is our AT&T team we will have a significant role to play in shaping and deploying the FirstNet First Responder Network.

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) as an independent authority within National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to provide emergency responders with the first nationwide, high-speed, broadband network dedicated to public safety. Today, first responders use commercial networks – the same ones used by consumers and businesses – for mobile data and applications. That can be an issue when a significant public safety crisis happens and commercial networks quickly become congested. It makes it difficult for first responders to communicate, coordinate and do their jobs.  

First responders currently use more than 10,000 networks for voice communications. These networks often do not interoperate, which severely limits their ability to communicate with each other when responding to a situation. FirstNet’s mission is to remedy that situation. Through this new public-private partnership with FirstNet, AT&T will build and manage the first broadband network dedicated to America’s police, firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS). The FirstNet network will cover all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, including rural communities and tribal lands in those states and territories. This is a much-needed investment in America’s communications infrastructure to support millions of first responders and public safety personnel nationwide who protect and serve more than 320 million people across the United States. The network buildout will begin later this year.  

AT&T is honored to work with FirstNet to build, deploy and maintain the first-ever nationwide public safety broadband network for America’s first responders. This opportunity aligns with our nearly 140-year history of serving the U.S. federal government and the public safety community. We’re committed to helping deliver the next generation of highly secure, reliable, and innovative mobile broadband communications to first responders through the FirstNet network. This reliable, highly secure, interoperable, and innovative public safety communications platform will bring 21st century tools to public safety agencies and first responders, allowing them to get more information quickly and helping them to make faster and better decisions.  

For more information on FirstNet, please visit https://www.corp.att.com/public-safety/