Public-private partnership project FirstNet has officially crossed the 3,600 subscriber mark for United States public safety agencies at the federal, state, local and tribal levels.
“FirstNet is being purpose-built to favor the important work first responders do. This is challenging and time-consuming. It’s also necessary,” Chris Sambar, senior vice president of FirstNet at AT&T, said. “Much work still needs to be done to make sure FirstNet is a solution that meets the needs of all first responders. But we’re proud of how FirstNet has been delivering for first responders and the communities they serve when help is most needed. And we’re honored to see public safety embrace their network.”
FirstNet is a public safety communications platform stretching the length of the country. It’s dedicated to first responders and built in partnership between the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T. It is meant to upgrade communications capabilities for responders, especially during large-scale emergencies.
“Recent events continue to underscore the need for FirstNet,” Edward Parkinson, FirstNet Authority Acting CEO, said. “We’re still early in the build process, and we’ll continue to work side-by-side with the public safety community to ensure FirstNet lives up to its promises. But to see FirstNet in action and hear how first responders across the country have already benefitted from the service is a remarkable start and a solid testament to why FirstNet was created.”
FirstNet has already seen use in incidents like Hurricanes Florence and Michael, in rural search and rescues, and in monitoring restricted airspace, among cases throughout the country.