Network Ensures First Responders Have Always-Reliable Communications and Access to the Most Innovative Technologies
Las Vegas, NV (March 26, 2025) – Working toward reauthorization, the FirstNet Authority received a strong response from public safety and government groups supporting its reauthorization. Established by Congress in 2021, the FirstNet Authority is up for reauthorization in 2027. In a proactive response, nineteen key public-safety and government-oriented groups expressed support through letters calling for Congress to reauthorize the FirstNet Authority before it sunsets in two years.
The associations that signed the letter of support submitted to Congress include: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF), National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), and International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
Support was provided through a second letter submitted to Congress, signed by representatives of a coalition of bipartisan membership organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National Association of Chief Information Officers, NACo, and NLC.
In the past, during times of emergency, communications networks were overburdened with calls from citizens and first responders. Commercial wireless networks were overwhelmed and, in turn, shut down voice and data communications for the public, as well as emergency responders. It became clear that, with the increased need and reliance on cellular systems, we needed a network dedicated to first responders so that they could act quickly in times of need. In response, Congress appropriated funds and an additional spectrum to the network and solicited companies to compete for the privilege of serving public safety in a unique public-private partnership. AT&T won the competition and was awarded a contract to build and operate the public-private partnership now known as FirstNet, which all 56 U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths chose to opt into.
“Law enforcement and emergency responders, like myself, have become strong advocates for FirstNet, as it provides communications priority and preemption to members of public safety so they can react and respond with real-time information,” stated Michael Barnbeck, Deputy Executive Director of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA).
Over 30,000 agencies have embraced the FirstNet technology and rely on it to serve their communities every day and in times of emergency. A reliable network helps local and national first responder departments stay ahead of emergencies through real-time situational awareness, which incident commanders recognize as essential to good outcomes.
Concluded Barnbeck, “The PSBTA advocates for Public Safety to ensure that our first responders will always have public-safety grade communications capabilities, no matter the circumstances. We ask Congress to reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now to ensure stability for the evolution of the most reliable communications system in the United States.”
About FirstNet
The FirstNet Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) was launched in 2018 by AT&T, who was awarded the contract through a competitive, objectives-based RFP. Through an all-band solution for Priority & PreEmption, the NPSBN became immediately available for use. As of today, there are nearly 7 million FirstNet connections in use by over 30K Public Safety agencies and organizations. www.firstnet.gov
About PSBTA
The Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) is an organization focused exclusively on ensuring the success of the entire FirstNet ecosystem that includes the legal entity created by Congress, the network infrastructure, hardware and software, and the single most important component—the end users. www.thepsbta.org