San José has recently completed its deployment of the FirstNet public safety communications platform, making it the first city in America to integrate the platform with all public safety personnel. Designed to provide first responders with stable and high-speed communications capable of supporting the necessary transfer of information during large scale emergencies, the FirstNet platform represents a partnership between AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority.
Initial development of the FirstNet platform started in response to the communications challenges observed by first responders during 9/11, with additional influences from later disasters and emergencies like the California wildfires.
Says Sam Liccardo, mayor of San José, “Implementing FirstNet at full scale across the city is key to helping us create a new standard for public safety. We believe this is a model for cities across the country to ensure those charged with maintaining the safety of our residents and communities have the tools they need to stay connected during disasters and emergencies.”
For San José, the rollout of the platform has resulted in integration with local agencies including, but not limited to:
- San José Police Department
- San José Fire Department
- Office of Emergency Management
- Office of the City Manager
