Across the country, millions of law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and other public safety personnel bravely serve their communities every day. They answer the call when emergencies strike and risk their lives to secure and protect others. FirstNet is developing the first nationwide public safety broadband network to provide first responders the advanced communication and collaboration technologies they need to help them do their jobs safely and effectively. Below are ten ways FirstNet will help public safety save lives and secure communities.
Download the 10 Ways FirstNet will Help Public Safety Infographic
![Because Emergencies Cross Jurisdictions: Sharing One Network Improves Communication](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/Why%20FirstNet%201.png)
Because Emergencies Cross Jurisdictions: Sharing One Network Improves Communication
Today, first responders rely on more than 10,000 separate, incompatible, and often proprietary radio networks to communicate with each other during emergencies. Because they’re not connected on one network, it’s hard, and at times impossible, for emergency responders from different jurisdictions or agencies to communicate and work together to save lives. To help address this challenge, the FirstNet network will be a single, nationwide, interoperable LTE network dedicated to public safety communications. Read more.
![FirstNet: Connecting Responders in Rural America](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/rural-road.jpg)
FirstNet: Connecting Responders in Rural America
Emergencies don’t just happen where people live – that is why reaching rural America is one of FirstNet’s top priorities with the nationwide public safety broadband network. When life-threatening emergencies happen in remote or wilderness areas, public safety could benefit from having a network connection that enables expert medical support during transport to the hospital. Read more.
Flying Blind is Dangerous: Enhancing Situational Awareness During Emergencies
FirstNet will carry high-speed data, location information, images, and video that can mean all the difference when seconds count. Just as smartphones have created a new era of real-time information and connectedness for individuals, the FirstNet network, devices and applications will enable the collaboration the public safety community needs to save lives.Read more.
![Public Safety Needs True Priority](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/EMS-Rushing_14259498196_fea8268515_o.jpg)
Public Safety Needs True Priority
During emergencies, public safety needs to be able to communicate without interruption - lives depend on it. It is critical that our nation’s law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and other responders have True Priority for their daily and emergency communications needs. This is why FirstNet is deploying a wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety.Read more.
![Capacity is Key for Planned Events with Large Crowds](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/19303041882_252cb32bf4_m.jpg)
Capacity is Key for Planned Events with Large Crowds
Emergencies aren’t the only times when public safety needs capacity to communicate and send data. Planned events take place across the country that draw more people to a single location than usual – such as concerts, festivals, and sporting venues. In these situations, networks can become congested, making it difficult for users to get a signal.Read more.
![Delivering Actionable Data Via Innovative Apps, Devices](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/DataRichDevices3c.jpg)
Delivering Actionable Data Via Innovative Apps, Devices
For our nation’s first responders, FirstNet intends to drive the type of innovation they need to protect and secure their communities over a nationwide network that can take advantage of economies of scale to maximize the value of every public safety dollar. Read more.
![FirstNet to provide reliability and security when disaster strikes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/blog_clip_image002.jpg)
FirstNet to provide reliability and security when disaster strikes
Across America, first responders in every state face the challenge of preparing for and responding to natural disasters. Having reliable communications is an integral component of any plan or response effort. FirstNet can help public safety save lives and secure communities by ensuring a reliable communication system is in place to assist public safety and rescue crews before, during, and after a natural disaster. Read more.
![Ensuring Coordinated Responses to Man Made and Natural Disasters](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/coordination-thumbnail.jpg)
Ensuring Coordinated Responses to Man Made and Natural Disasters
In the face of man-made attacks or natural disasters, the ability to communicate is one of the most important objectives for first responders. Incident commanders need the ability to quickly convey vital data to every first responder. They need to know what resources from neighboring jurisdictions can be available if required. FirstNet is working to deliver a broadband network with interoperability built-in from day one to enhance public safety’s ability to protect and serve. Read more.
![FirstNet: Driving Innovation & Maximizing Value for Public Safety](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnail_Network%20Graphic-resized.jpg)
FirstNet: Driving Innovation & Maximizing Value for Public Safety
FirstNet’s mission is to ensure the delivery of a single nationwide interoperable network for public safety agencies across the country. Once built, the network will modernize the communications used by law enforcement, fire, and emergency medicine personnel, providing them with access to new technologies and increased capacity for their mobile communications and data needs.Read more.
![Delivering a nationwide broadband network for public safety, by public safety](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218070602im_/https://firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/blog-network.jpg)
Delivering a nationwide broadband network for public safety, by public safety
FirstNet is working to establish a public-private partnership to deploy the first nationwide, high-speed wireless broadband network for public safety. This mission grew out of the public safety community’s commitment to and advocacy for a dedicated network to address the communications challenges they faced on 9/11, during Hurricane Katrina, and with other incidents and events in their communities.Read more.