Law enforcement and other first responders remain the backbone of community safety, consistently stepping into unpredictable and often dangerous situations to protect lives and property. As communities expand and challenges become more complex, the need for well-equipped and highly trained first responders has never been more important, and this vital role is equally dependent on access to a reliable communications network. Their role, and the role of their network, is foundational to the stability, resilience, and safety of the communities they serve.
The 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit, taking place September 14–16 at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, will convene first responders, public safety executives, policymakers, and industry partners for three days of education, collaboration, and discussion focused on the future of public safety communications.
The Summit’s educational programs are built around the real-world challenges facing today’s law enforcement professionals and first responders. Sessions range from leadership and advocacy to disaster response and recovery, offering practical insights that attendees can take back to their agencies. Highlights include:
- Emerging Leaders Training: Understanding the Importance of Grassroots Advocacy for Public Safety, featuring Chief Chris Moore (Ret), San Jose Police Dept; retired NYPD Assistant Chief Chuck Dowd; and Sheriff Mark Lamb, Pinal County, AZ. This discussion will focus on how public safety professionals can effectively advocate for the resources and policies their communities need and better understand how to step into leadership roles for Public Safety at the regional and national levels.
- When Disaster Strikes… What Happens Next?, includes Kamala Kuhn, Director of Grants Assistance of Public Sector Grants, who will provide guidance on navigating funding opportunities and recovery efforts following major incidents.
- The full conference agenda is available at https://vision.thepsbta.org/2026-schedule/
One of the Summit’s noteworthy presentations comes from plenary speaker Dr. John Delony, whose work centers on leadership, resilience, and mental wellness. As first responders face mounting stress both on and off the job, his session will explore the importance of emotional health as a critical component of professional readiness. His message reflects a growing recognition throughout the public safety community that supporting the people behind the badge is essential to building stronger, more resilient agencies.
The plenary program also features leadership from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Jim Pasco, Executive Director of the FOP, and Patrick Yoes, National President of the FOP. Pasco will present with Chief Jeff Johnson, Chief Emeritus with the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Together, they will highlight recent grassroots advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels to advance federal legislation. Yoes will present with Dwayne Crawford, Executive Director of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and Mark Ryckman, member of International City/County Management Association (ICMA)/City of Corning, NY. Through compelling examples of collaboration and partnership, this session will illustrate how unified engagement across all public safety disciplines drives meaningful progress and strengthens the collective voice of Public Safety.
As FirstNet continues to evolve to meet the needs of public safety, the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit offers an important opportunity for the public safety community to come together, share perspectives, and stay informed on the path forward. First responders and public safety professionals are encouraged to attend and be part of these critical conversations. Registration is now open. For more information and to secure your spot, please visit https://vision.thepsbta.org/register/.