This June, two agencies within the U.S. Department of Commerce are coming together to advance communications technology for public safety. The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Public Safety Communications Research Division (NIST PSCR) have complemented each other’s work for more than a decade on projects ranging from...

By Renee Gordon, FirstNet Authority Board Vice Chair Being a first responder is not for the faint of heart. Every day, you are put to the test – in mind, body, and spirit. You must be willing to sacrifice everything in service of others. First responders are true heroes. On October 28, we celebrate National First Responders Day and the bravery and dedication of our nation’s heroes. The law of...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Sean McDevitt, a partner with international management consulting firm Arthur D. Little (ADL) to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Mr. McDevitt has been a member of ADL’s telecommunications, internet, technology and private equity practice areas since 2017. He brings 30...

The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to building a stronger and more resilient nation and equipping Americans with the resources they need to remain safe and secure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act have provided more than $50 billion in climate resilience so that communities can better withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. Our nation...

By Joe Wassel, Executive Director and CEO, First Responder Network Authority September 11 irrevocably altered the lives of Americans. Today, on the anniversary, we solemnly reflect on that fateful day and its impact on our nation. Twenty-two years ago, at 9:37 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon — a landmark moment for me. I was in the building as director of communications for the...

This is the second of a 2-part series by Joe Wassel, First Responder Network Authority Executive Director and CEO, on his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications. Before the FirstNet Authority, I spent my career in the Department of Defense as an advocate for public safety communications and network security. Stepping into the Executive Director and CEO role...

This is the first in a 2-part series by Joe Wassel , First Responder Network Authority Executive Director and CEO, on his thoughts, insights, and vision for the future of public safety communications. During my first 100 days leading the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), I went coast-to-coast to hear directly from first responders. I wanted to better understand their...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Chief Richard Carrizzo to serve as Board Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Carrizzo is the Fire Chief for the Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Missouri who was first appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board in 2018 and reappointed in 2021, serving as the Board Vice Chair and...

Between January and September 2022, nearly 7 million acres burned across the United States. In recent years, the country has experienced unparalleled challenges regarding wildfires. The season is no longer contained within a portion of the year but has become a year-round battle. Wildfire suppression consistently exceeds $1 billion per year, and these incidents are becoming lengthier, more...

NOAA satellites, which are crucial in weather and climate forecasts, helped rescue 397 people from potentially life-threatening situations throughout the U.S. and its surrounding waters in 2022. NOAA’s polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites are part of the global Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking system, or COSPAS-SARSAT, which uses a network of U.S. and international spacecraft to...