It’s not every day that someone can take an up-close look at police, fire, and emergency vehicles that serve our communities or be in the company of first responders who answer the call to help their neighbors in times of crisis.
Well, I had that opportunity recently at Platte City Hall, where my colleagues and I joined Platte City Mayor Steve Hoger and a group of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders to cut the ribbon on a new cell site that AT&T recently turned on in the city. The event also showcased how FirstNet® Built with AT&T – the only network built with and for America’s first responders – is delivering unparalleled coverage, security, and reliable connectivity to the nation’s public safety community.
The new cell site in Platte City improves coverage and capacity around Branch Street and I-29 east of Platte County High School. The site includes public safety’s Band 14 – also known as public safety’s VIP lane – which is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. Thanks to this site, more first responders have access to the dedicated connectivity when and where they need it to protect and serve their community.
Mayor Hoeger, who is also a first responder in the Kansas City metro area, hosted the event and told us that “reliable communication is essential to both our daily lives and our community’s safety. The addition of this new AT&T and FirstNet tower will significantly strengthen Platte City’s cellular coverage — improving service for residents, businesses, and, most importantly, ensuring dependable emergency communications when it matters most.” He also read a proclamation, which you can read here.
FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. FirstNet enables public safety subscribers to communicate with one another easily and quickly during everyday emergencies, disasters, and planned events.
FirstNet is a unique network, purposefully developed with and for the public safety community. It provides first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits such as always-on priority and preemption, and nationwide, high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety entities save lives and protect their communities.
FirstNet was shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. FirstNet is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the FirstNet Authority – an independent authority within the federal government. As public safety’s partner helping deliver FirstNet, AT&T has a federal mandate, and commitment unlike any other carrier, to expand and evolve the network, so public safety stays at the forefront of innovative, lifesaving technologies.
My colleagues from the FirstNet Response Operations Group™ (ROG) , a dedicated team led by former first responders, brought along deployable assets and other critical solutions from public safety’s nationwide FirstNet fleet of more than 190 portable assets. These assets are exclusively available to support public safety on FirstNet at no additional cost. Across Missouri, and nationally, agencies can also purchase, own, and operate their own FirstNet deployables.
With nearly 870 localities in Missouri where first responders and public safety agencies rely on FirstNet, the service is critical to public safety across our state. Significant investments have also recently been made in Missouri to improve and enhance connectivity for first responders subscribed to FirstNet. Today, more than 1,450 wireless sites across Missouri have Band 14 spectrum. When not in use by FirstNet subscribers, AT&T wireless customers can enjoy Band 14’s added coverage and capacity.
Public safety organizations – and the individuals who work in these organizations – play a crucial role in protecting our communities before, during, and after any disaster. And that makes one thing essential: seamless connectivity. This new site, along with our other resources and network investments in the Kansas City metro area and around the state, will help ensure first responders have the connectivity they need, when they need it most.
My colleague, Melissa Forrest, who leads the FirstNet team in Missouri and other nearby states, said it best as she closed the program: “We’re proud to see Platte City continue to grow not only in size but in strength and readiness. This progress wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration between local officials, public safety agencies, and FirstNet. We’re especially grateful to all the first responders who serve our community with courage and commitment every day – you are the reason this effort matters. Let this tower stand as a symbol of our ongoing promise: to put safety first, to embrace innovation, and to support those who protect and serve.”
I couldn’t agree more. It was a great day for public safety in Platte City.
Learn more about how AT&T is investing in Missouri. For more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out FirstNet.com.
FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
