How First Responders Communicate

By Rohan Naval

As Congress resumes session, lawmakers are approaching a crossroads that will have immense impacts on telecommunications. Congress will soon scrutinize a program that first responders nationwide use to communicate.

The First Responder Network Authority, commonly referred to as FirstNet, was created after the 9/11 Commission identified communications failures among emergency personnel. The Commission recommended a stronger and more secure network to facilitate communications between different first responder agencies. This led to the creation of FirstNet, which currently serves upwards of 30,000 public safety agencies and organizations with 7 million network connections. Its board consists of both government and private sector representatives, including national security experts, telecommunications professionals, a Florida sheriff, a Maryland fire chief, Mississippi’s Department of Public Safety Medical Director, and three cabinet officials (representing DOJ, DHS, and OMB).

While its authorization does not run out until 2027, hearings may begin as soon as this fall to measure the program’s performance and consider reforms in conjunction with reauthorization.

The FirstNet program is an integral part of ensuring that police, firefighters, EMTs, and emergency management personnel have secure connections when responding to emergencies. FirstNet was integral in securing first responder communication during security threats such as the New Orleans terrorist attack on New Years’ Eve, or the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania last year. Such events necessitate responses from nearly 30 different public security agencies, for which they relied on FirstNet.

FirstNet operates on Band 14 spectrum, which is earmarked in its entirety for the network. Exclusivity ensures that the communications of first responders do not compete with the spectrum used by the general public, and also makes their networks secure from potential cyberattacks. This band reaches close to three million square miles across the country, ensuring that public safety operators can access remote communities in the event of an emergency. Whether to maintain exclusivity for the entire band is one of the many decisions Congress will make in considering the program’s renewal.

Digital Liberty has consistently supported auctioning as much spectrum as possible for private-sector use, as competitive bidding has made spectrum allocation more economically rational and raised non-tax revenue. While FirstNet does not follow these principles, it is nonetheless a government program that exemplifies fiscal responsibility by requiring no annual appropriations from Congress. Indeed, the program is entirely funded through the very spectrum auction proceeds we support, in combination with private investments; hence, the taxpayer need not make a contribution if it is reauthorized.

As FirstNet’s authority sunsets in February 2027, organizations from across the nation are calling on Congress to reauthorize the program. First responders have pointed out the use of the program in responding to emergency situations in recent years. As the program matures, kinks have been ironed out and performance improved. This, in addition to the fiscally responsible funding mechanism, recommends the program for reauthorization.