BOONSBORO, Md., Oct. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- One year after
Gov. Larry Hogan approved the build
out of FirstNet network platform in Maryland by AT&T, first responders in
Maryland are already benefitting
from enhanced emergency communications. Today, Maryland Lt. Gov.
Boyd Rutherford led a forum on the
positive impacts FirstNet has had on public safety communications
in the state in the year since Maryland joined the nationwide public safety
communications platform. Rutherford was joined by leadership from
the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), state
and county officials, and AT&T* for the event at the Washington
County Agricultural Center.
FirstNet is the nationwide public safety communications
platform. It's dedicated to America's first responders and those
that support them. And it's being built with AT&T, in
public-private partnership with the FirstNet Authority, to bring
public safety in Maryland – and
across the country – a much-needed technology upgrade to help them
connect to the critical information they need.
"During times of crisis, communication is key. Our
administration is committed to working with our first responders at
all levels – local, state and federal – to ensure we are able to
stay connected," said Lt. Governor Rutherford. "We appreciate the
opportunity to participate in this public-private partnership to
innovate our public safety operations and keep our communities
safe. The success FirstNet has seen in its first year is a shining
example of what can be accomplished when we work together."
Enhancing emergency communications
Last spring, parts of Washington
County experienced extreme flooding. The emergency responses
required quick and efficient coordination among first responders.
FirstNet was central to the effort, according to Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore, whose agency was one of the
first in the nation – and the first in Maryland – to subscribe to FirstNet
services.
"When disaster hit, we relied on FirstNet to keep us connected.
We even called in a Satellite Cell on Light Truck (SatCOLT),
boosting our ability to communicate and coordinate our emergency
response beyond the low bandwidth Wi-Fi some of our personnel were
using," said Mullendore. "We are pleased that Gov. Hogan approved
the FirstNet state plan, opening the door for us to take advantage
of this dedicated network platform to better serve Washington County, especially when our
community needed it most."
Public safety agencies subscribing to FirstNet have access to a
nationwide fleet of 72 dedicated deployable network assets like the
one used in Washington County.
This equipment can be deployed for planned events, such as large
concerts, or requested in emergencies. Thus far in 2018, the
FirstNet team at AT&T has supported nearly 100 emergency and
event response efforts, including the flooding responses in
Washington County and Ellicott City, Md.
That's just one way FirstNet is working for first responders in
Maryland – and across the nation –
according to David Buchanan,
executive director of Public Safety Advocacy for the FirstNet
Authority.
"Emergencies and disasters can happen in any community, and
FirstNet is built with all first responders in mind – especially
those serving in rural or underserved areas," said Buchanan. "As we
planned for this network platform, we worked hand-in-hand with
public safety and state officials here in Maryland to design FirstNet to meet their
needs. Now, one year after Maryland approved of the FirstNet plan, we are
honored to be supporting the state's public safety community,
including Sheriff Mullendore and his deputies, as they serve and
protect their communities."
Reaching first responders across the state
Thousands of Maryland's first
responders now rely on FirstNet for their wireless communications.
This gives them enhanced security on a dedicated, physically
separate network core that prioritizes their communications. And it
brings FirstNet subscribers in Maryland the technology, features and
functionality designed to properly handle their rigorous, specific
and niche demands.
Denis Dunn, president, AT&T
in Maryland, said the company has
made much progress in implementing this unique public-private
partnership in Maryland and
nationwide.
"Thanks to great collaboration with many of the leaders across
the state and locally – like here in Washington County – we're moving quickly to
build out the network and sign on new public safety agencies.
FirstNet was designed by and for our first responders, and we're
working hard every day to meet our mission – which is helping
public safety achieve theirs," said Dunn.
Dunn also said that the wireless spectrum allocated to public
safety for the operation of the FirstNet network platform has
already been deployed to existing and new sites across the state,
and it will continue to be rapidly deployed to additional sites. In
addition to supporting first responders, these and other network
upgrades will provide mobile broadband coverage and capacity to
many underserved areas of the state, creating more access to mobile
broadband for more Marylanders.
Paul Frey, president of the
Washington County Chamber, said enhanced rural coverage is good
news for business and community leaders.
"We're working with Gov. Hogan and Lt. Gov. Rutherford every day
to help our members – and our community – grow and prosper. When
our first responders, businesses and residents have more access to
mobile broadband, we all win," said Frey.
Go to FirstNet.com/news for more information. For more about the
value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out
FirstNet.com.
About the First Responder Network Authority
The First
Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is an independent
authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Chartered in
2012, its mission is to ensure the building, deployment, and
operation of the nationwide, broadband network that equips first
responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities. Learn more
at FirstNet.gov/mediakit and follow FirstNet (@FirstNetGov) on
Facebook and Twitter for updates.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends
and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first
phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we innovate to
improve lives. We have the best network according to America's
biggest test.** We're building FirstNet just for first responders
and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With DIRECTV and DIRECTV
NOW, we deliver entertainment people love to talk about. Our smart,
highly secure solutions serve over 3 million global businesses –
nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And worldwide, our spirit of
service drives employees to give back to their communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
AT&T products and services are provided or offered by
subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T
brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at facebook.com/att
and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
© 2018 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
**Based on GWS OneScore Sept.
2018. Excludes crowd sourced studies.
FirstNet® and the FirstNet service logo are the intellectual
property of the First Responder Network Authority.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/state-of-maryland-washington-county-officials-mark-one-year-of-firstnet-in-the-state-300733665.html
SOURCE AT&T Inc.