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First responder network

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) was created to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendation to give public safety providers 21st-century communication tools to help save lives, solve crimes, and keep our communities and emergency responders safe.

We will build a public safety broadband network designed to be reliable, functional, and secure. More than 60,000 public safety agencies will be able to take advantage of expanded coverage and capacity. For the first time, public safety communications will be based on commercial standards. This will bring the benefits of lower costs, consumer-driven economies of scale, and rapid evolution of advanced communication capabilities.

Related Content

5x5 Summit: Commerce Agencies Work Together to Advance Public Safety Communications

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This June, two agencies within the U.S. Department of Commerce are coming together to advance communications technology for public safety. The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Public Safety Communications Research Division (NIST PSCR) have complemented each other’s work for more than a decade on projects ranging from...

National First Responders Day: A Frontline Perspective on Sacrifice

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By Renee Gordon, FirstNet Authority Board Vice Chair Being a first responder is not for the faint of heart. Every day, you are put to the test – in mind, body, and spirit. You must be willing to sacrifice everything in service of others. First responders are true heroes. On October 28, we celebrate National First Responders Day and the bravery and dedication of our nation’s heroes. The law of...

Secretary Raimondo Appoints Sean McDevitt to FirstNet Authority Board

Press releases
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Sean McDevitt, a partner with international management consulting firm Arthur D. Little (ADL) to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Mr. McDevitt has been a member of ADL’s telecommunications, internet, technology and private equity practice areas since 2017. He brings 30...

Commerce Department Plays Central Role in Preparing and Responding to Disasters and Emergencies

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The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to building a stronger and more resilient nation and equipping Americans with the resources they need to remain safe and secure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act have provided more than $50 billion in climate resilience so that communities can better withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. Our nation...

United in Memory: The Effects of September 11 Still Reverberate Today

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By Joe Wassel, Executive Director and CEO, First Responder Network Authority September 11 irrevocably altered the lives of Americans. Today, on the anniversary, we solemnly reflect on that fateful day and its impact on our nation. Twenty-two years ago, at 9:37 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon — a landmark moment for me. I was in the building as director of communications for the...

100 Days at the FirstNet Authority: governance, engagement, and a look ahead

Blog
This is the second of a 2-part series by Joe Wassel, First Responder Network Authority Executive Director and CEO, on his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications. Before the FirstNet Authority, I spent my career in the Department of Defense as an advocate for public safety communications and network security. Stepping into the Executive Director and CEO role...

100 Days at the FirstNet Authority: reflections, observations and discoveries

Blog
This is the first in a 2-part series by Joe Wassel , First Responder Network Authority Executive Director and CEO, on his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications. During my first 100 days leading the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), I went coast-to-coast to hear directly from first responders. I wanted to better understand their...

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces Appointment of Chief Richard Carrizzo as Chair of FirstNet Authority Board

Press releases
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Chief Richard Carrizzo to serve as Board Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Carrizzo is the Fire Chief for the Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Missouri who was first appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board in 2018 and reappointed in 2021, serving as the Board Vice Chair and...

When Wildfires Rage, Firefighters Need Voice, Situational Awareness and Alerting Tech in the Wildland Urban Interface

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Between January and September 2022, nearly 7 million acres burned across the United States. In recent years, the country has experienced unparalleled challenges regarding wildfires. The season is no longer contained within a portion of the year but has become a year-round battle. Wildfire suppression consistently exceeds $1 billion per year, and these incidents are becoming lengthier, more...

Year in Review: Commerce’s Top Stories and Accomplishments of 2022

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As we welcome 2023, we reflect on some of the most popular stories, issues, and accomplishment from 2022. This past year, the Commerce Department remained at the forefront of many critical issues like no other time in history. Commerce played a central role in enacting President Biden's economic, trade, and innovation agenda to build a better America. One of the most important accomplishments of...