FirstNet Users Summit, Year 2

The Vision 2023 FirstNet Users Summit hosted by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association brought together end users, the FirstNet Private Partner (FPP) team from AT&T, leadership from the FirstNet Authority, and vendors supplying solutions that enhance or operate on FirstNet. In its second year of operation, the Vision FirstNet Users Summit provided a valuable forum for updates on the network deployment, FPP programs, and the FirstNet Authority's vision.

A Well Executed Event

A rich set of breakout sessions tackled wide-ranging topics, including Mission Critical Services (MCS), disaster deployments, 5G, situational awareness tools, and more. The excellent speakers and opportunities for intimate conversations with the leadership team at AT&T and the FirstNet Authority make this event valuable.

Although representation from tip-of-the-spear agencies in law enforcement, fire, rescue, and EMS in sessions was light, the Vision 2023 team smartly collaborated with the Western Fire Chiefs Association to host co-located training sessions for Communications Unit Leader (COML), Information Technology Service Unit Leader (ITSL), and All-Hazards Incident Communication Awareness (TRG-COMUAWR) overview. These training opportunities pull in the next generation of leadership across the fire service. State and local government employees may face challenges gaining authorization for travel to Las Vegas. The PSBTA should consider Salt Lake City or Kansas City as potential alternatives to Las Vegas.

FirstNet Leadership Touts Gains as MC-PTT Lingers

Opening remarks from FPP head Jim Bugel and FirstNet Authority CEO Joe Wassel focused on progress in coverage expansion, QPP deployment, disaster response, and Z-Axis capabilities. Steady agency and subscriber uptake means FirstNet has grown to serve more than 26,000 agencies and 5 million users. Jim Bugel pointed to a proof point highlighting the importance of the FirstNet QPP offering: More than a petabyte of data flowed over the AT&T network in Seattle during an evening of Taylor Swift, three cruise ships, and a stadium baseball game. Without QPP, public safety's ability to operate digital tools effectively would be impossible.

Looking to the future, Joe Wassel called for additional efforts to expand coverage with satellite capabilities and improve maritime and air-to-ground support. A high priority, as well, is securing the Band 14 renewal from the FCC.

Notably lacking in the leadership commentary was the topic of standardized mission-critical push-to-talk that should be foundational to the FirstNet interoperability vision. While the Mission Critical Services (MCS) are in place with the Samsung server, the FPP has yet to approve devices in the queue. Indeed, the FPP's FirstNet web pages on Mission Critical Push-to-Talk lead with the alternative proprietary solution as its "premier mission critical PTT offering." This stance and the silence from the FirstNet Authority is a troubling situation that limits the network's value as a group voice interoperability solution.

But there may be hope for MCS progress at FirstNet. In a best-practices session focused on early MCS deployment plans, Dallas (Georgia) Police Chief Joe Duval laid out his ambitious program to move beyond the non-standard FirstNet Rapid Response offering. To succeed, Chief Duval will need the FPP to release approvals for operating Siyata SD7 LTE and L3Harris XL-200 hybrid LTE/LMR devices on the standards-based MC-PTT platform. Given that the IACP conference is fast approaching in October, perhaps that calendar date will motivate the FPP to step up its sluggish pace. An outstanding IACP week would include device approvals for a diverse set of user equipment along with the release of the FirstNet P25/MC-PTT Interworking service.

Inspirational Fire Chiefs

(L to R) Fire Chiefs Brian Fennessey, Don Lombardi, and John Butler

A highlight of Vision 2023 was the keynote discussion between Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler, Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessey, and West Metro Fire Protection District Chief Don Lombardi. The inspirational fire service leaders reflected on the benefits gained from an embrace of high-quality wireless broadband. They noted, however, concerns about leadership attrition in the service that drains technology expertise from the service. The battle for securing the FirstNet spectrum was hard fought, and the incoming leaders may need to be more attuned to the need to maintain a vigilant stance that protects the spectrum.

Also noted was the reluctance of many agencies that are stalwart Verizon customers. AT&T has made enormous gains in addressing regional coverage gaps that cemented Verizon's loyalty. Now, however, Chief Fennessy believes it is time for agencies to come on board. In particular, he urges Federal agencies that have resisted FirstNet adoption to make the move.

Innovators Propel Benefits of High-Performance Wireless Data

FirstNet partner organizations showed up in force to share portfolio advances. We took time with several partners to hear about recent developments.

Intrepid Networks and ESChat Meld Incident Command Tool and Voice Comms

Vision 2023 placed a spotlight on yet another integration for ESChat. The California push-to-talk over cellular company showcased its Intrepid Networks client integration, incorporating push-to-talk client functionality into the hand-held situational awareness platform.

The Intrepid Networks' platform offers powerful tools for activating, communicating, locating, and connecting team members operating in the field. Beyond the boost in situational information available to command and field teams, the capabilities reduce tactical radio traffic. While most deployments are in the law enforcement community, Intrepid Networks' functionality can be applied to mega-event management and emergency management operations. Although the company positions its offer for fire and rescue operations, the software's capabilities are poorly aligned with requirements for team coordination on the fireground.

ESChat stands out for its wide range of interoperability options for its proprietary push-to-talk over cellular (PTToC) platform, and the company regularly shows off handsets from all the major device vendors communicating with its service. Recent moves to integrate recording and console access with ESChat demonstrate the wide range of options now available to agencies looking to complement existing LMR systems or shift to push-to-talk over cellular. By supplying client functionality for ATAK and Intrepid Networks, ESChat gives end users a complete set of deployment options.

RapidDeploy Moving Data into Responders' Hands

RapidDeploy has transformed into a compelling cloud-based mapping and analytic platform for 9-1-1/112 call handling. The company's premier Radius Mapping offer helps PSAP telecommunicators peel apart the geo-centric details that can make or break an accurate dispatch. Mobile location data from iOS and Android devices, as well as traditional ANI/ALI E911 location identifiers, gets visualized along with base map integrations from various partners.

At Vision 2023, RapidDeploy's CEO Steven Raucher described the company's vision for extending PSAP data capabilities into the hands of responders. The company's new Lightning application is a mobile client that supplies mission-critical information such as mapping layers, location pin drops, video feeds, and navigation aids. The software is designed to support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) deployments by incorporating rules-based data access based on geofencing and other policy requirements.

Partner integrations extend the value proposition. With its On-Star integration, RapidDeploy's Lightning supplies rich vehicle telematics payloads that aid in crash response and vehicle extrication. A Critical Response Group (CFG) school map integration delivers school building information using overlay floor plans that complement ESRI and GeoComm building diagrams. RapidDeploy plans integration with NextNav capabilities to render the Z-Axis location of responders and calling parties.

For the 1,500 PSAPs supported by RapidDeploy today, Lightning offers a rapid path for delivering valuable and timely situational information to responders. The company's approach aims at a standardized solution that can be easily customized to the needs of each agency. By doing so, RapidDeploy highlights the value FirstNet delivers with its high-speed mobile wireless access.

RapidSOS Integrations Boost Situational Awareness

RapidSOS' pioneering efforts to bring mobile device location intelligence into the PSAP changed the processing of in-bound 9-1-1/112 calls forever. However, the company has moved on with an aggressive partnership and acquisition strategy that expands the company's reach beyond basic call location services.

At Vision 2023, RapidSOS executives described some of the company's advances:

Connected Vehicle Experience: Crash information relayed by the SiriusXM Connected Vehicle and other provider programs supply valuable information about airbag deployment and passenger load.
Lost Hikers: APIs offered to the partners provide mechanisms to flow breadcrumb trails of lost hikers or other emergency callers to application developers for integration into TAK and other client software.
Active Assailant Situational Status: A partnership with ZeroeEyes AI helps schools detect weapons. The human-verified approach supplies early warnings that supplement 9-1-1 call handling with an enhanced data card. A collaboration with GeoComm delivers up-to-date building layout information, and the company's work with Critical Response Group (CFG) provides an enriched overlay with detailed location context for school structures.
Building Monitoring: RapidSOS's partnership with Honeywell forwards system alert information for fire detection systems directly to RapidSOS Portal users and RapidSOS Premium installations. Intrusion, medical, and fire alarm payloads flow directly into the PSAP.

The company's acquisition of IamResponding sets the stage for promising future extension of the PSAP data capabilities into the hands of responders. RapidSOS had little to say about its integration progress. Still, the potential for call location, Honeywell building information, and calling party data cards appearing on the field user's devices promises a significant advance.

Siyata Expands the Body-Worn Camera Landscape While Awaiting MC-PTT Certification

The Siyata SD7 stands out as a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) device centered on the group voice experience. With no screen and a rotating channel switch, the slim device is one of the best expressions of the PTToC form factor available for enterprises and government agencies. While Siyata supports a broad set of PTToC options, including ESChat, the company is awaiting certification for FirstNet MC-PTT operation.

At Vision 2023, Siyata showed its new SD7+ featuring a wide-angle camera that enables a connected Body Worn Camera (BWC) experience. A partnership with Visual Labs delivers a tool suite for cost-effective law enforcement BWC deployments using a fit-for-purpose device. In addition to the 20-megapixel camera, the SD+ features large BWC control buttons on its front face. A clever move by Siyata provides landscape video while the handset is in its typical portrait position. The side-by-side support of push-to-talk communications and connected body-worn camera technology in an elegant form factor is an important boost for law enforcement agencies, school security teams, mall security, and others.

Tactical Headsets Addresses Accessory Gap for High-Stakes Missions

Accessories tend not to get much attention at mission-critical technology exhibitions. At Vision 2023, however, Swedish supplier Tactical Headsets showed off its unique neck microphone headsets that enable clear voice operations in noisy environments. The ear pieces provide passive noise reduction hearing protection with 26 dB attenuation.

Though the Tactical Headsets offering has grown with roots in military special forces applications, the accessory can improve hands-free law enforcement, HAZMAT, and industrial operations conducted in noisy environments.