IAFF & FIrstNet

FirstNet is the only nationwide wireless broadband communications platform dedicated to America’s first responders and public safety community. This reliable, highly-secure communications platform brings reliability to public safety agencies and first responders—helping them make faster and better decisions to keep themselves and the public safe. FirstNet is different from other carriers in that it has a dedicated public safety core that routes FirstNet traffic. It also encrypts network traffic within the core, creating the highly secure environment public safety requires.

Public safety officials have worked closely with – and been a part of – the First Responder Network Authority since its inception in 2012.  In 2017 AT&T was awarded the 25 year contract to build and maintain the FirstNet network and ecosystem.  FirstNet also coordinates with and receives input from the public safety community through the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), which provides guidance and public safety subject matter expertise.

The First Responder Network Authority is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce that was authorized by Congress in 2012 with a mission to develop, maintain and operate the nationwide, broadband network that equips first responders to save lives and protect U.S. communities.

FirstNet is the only nationwide network and platform that gives first responders entire communication ecosystem of unique benefits including mission-centric devices, certified applications and always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data

Band 14 is very desirable spectrum set aside by the federal government specifically for public safety. It represents 20MHz of 700MHz spectrum and provides good coverage in urban and rural areas.  In addition to use of Band 14, FirstNet access AT&T LTE bands of spectrum.

In the face of natural disasters, the ability to communicate is essential to first responders. Incident commanders need to convey vital data to every first responder – fast. They need to know if resources from neighboring jurisdictions can be available. FirstNet has delivered a network with interoperability built in from day one to enhance public safety’s ability to protect and serve.

State and local agencies on FirstNet have 24/7 access to a nationwide fleet of 76 land-based and airborne deployable network assets. These portable cell sites can either be deployed for planned events or in emergencies at no additional charge. The FirstNet Response Operations Group – led by former first responders – guides the deployment of the FirstNet deployable assets based on the needs of public safety.

The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) is available to provide critical communications in the event of a natural disaster. The group, led by former first responders, manage the program in alignment with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and FEMA National Response Framework (NRF). No other network provider has deployable network assets dedicated solely and exclusively to public safety.

The ROG allocates deployable assets for events such as natural disasters, coordinates with federal, state and local agencies on incident stabilization and response, and identifies solutions that can better serve public safety, expedites network restoration and more.

FirstNet is exclusively for first responders and those that support their vital efforts. This includes law enforcement, fire protection services, emergency (911) call dispatching and government Public Safety Answering Points, emergency planning and management offices, and emergency medical services. Other essential personnel who support first responders before, during and after an emergency can also subscribe to FirstNet. These organizations provide medical care, mitigation, remediation, overhaul, clean-up, restoration, or other such services during or after an incident.

When you subscribe to FirstNet, you’ll be part of the nations’ only network for first responders.  You’ll always be at the front of the line and always on.  You won’t compete with commercial users for a connection.  Preemption capabilities will allow first responders to have the bandwidth in an emergency by detouring others off the network.  A physically separate core; dedicated security operations center to monitor and mitigate threats; and single sign-on/federated identity capabilities make it clear that security is a priority for FirstNet. This focus will remain a priority as we build end-to-end encryption.

Primary Users can have two types of authorized users: Agency (department) Paid Users and Subscriber (personal) Paid Users.  Agency Paid Users are employees and contractors of a qualified Public Safety Entity.  The Public Safety Entity pays for the FirstNet service for Agency Paid Users.  Subscriber Paid Users are verified and approved (a) employees of a Primary User Public Safety Entity or (b) qualified volunteer personnel affiliated with a Primary User Public Safety Entity.  Subscriber Paid Users pay for their own FirstNet service.

Priority and preemption – called First Priority™ – is always on. One of the primary benefits of FirstNet is providing America’s first responders with secure and reliable connectivity while on the job, whether it be a crisis or a routine task in a congested area. If networks are congested when duty calls, first responders remain first in line. First responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS, PSAPs and EMAs) have priority and preemption across the network at no additional charge.

When an event causes a larger than normal concentration of users in a small area to access the network at the same time, cell towers can become congested. In addition to priority access, First Priority removes or reassigns lower priority users to other bands to ensure first responders maintain access to their applications. First responders don’t have to do anything to enable network preemption, it is built into the FirstNet network design, enabling first responders to focus on the critical job they do.

If your family members are first responders, yes.  However, if they are not, they’re still eligible for exclusive savings when you sign up for FirstNet at  Latest Cell Phone Plan Discount for the Families of First Responders (firstnet.com)

You can visit your local AT&T Store or visit https://www.att.com/offers/firstresponders.html to sign up.  There, your AT&T Service Rep can ensure you have the most discounts and the best family plan.

Rate plans are available for organizations or individuals. Eligible customers can choose from a variety of plans that fit any situation—choosing talk, text, data, mobile hotspot and/or tethering services. And they can be used with a compatible smartphone, tablet or wearable device. Learn more about FirstNet Rate plans at https://www.firstnet.com/plans.html.

You can visit your local AT&T Store or visit https://www.firstnet.com/offers/firstnet-and-family.html  to sign up and find the best plans for you and your family.

Call 1-800-574-7000 or log into FirstNet Central to Chat with a Customer Support Representative.

Absolutely!  Send an email to Amy Huston at [email protected] to request support.

Absolutely!  Send an email to Amy Huston at [email protected] to coordinate.