FirstNet Showcases Public Safety Tech in Albany
Supporting public safety
FirstNet Showcases Public Safety Tech in Albany
February 2, 2026
February 2, 2026
Key insights
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On January 13th, as the New York state capital prepared for the first days of legislative session, FirstNet hosted a public safety technology showcase for lawmakers, government officials, industry associations, public safety officials, advocates, and everyday New Yorkers.
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The Albany showcase event included interactions with some of the latest devices and deployable technology available to first responders in New York, including drones, connected vehicles, and AT&T’s robotic dog. Briefings were also held by AT&T and FirstNet technicians who operate these devices in the field alongside first responders.
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In New York, FirstNet connects public safety agencies and organizations in more than 1,650 localities across the state. Nearly 1,375 public safety agencies and organizations are on FirstNet across New York.
Albany was buzzing on the morning of January 13th, as the New York state capital prepared for the first days of legislative session and Governor Kathy Hochul’s annual state of the state address later that day. Lawmakers, government officials, industry associations, public safety officials, advocates, and everyday New Yorkers hustled about the capitol complex on their way to meetings and hearings. And each one of them was stunned by the large mechanical dog strolling through the marble hallways.
The robotic quadruped was unofficially patrolling the capitol as part of a public safety technology showcase hosted by FirstNet®, Built with AT&T. FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose built for America’s first responders in a public-private partnership with the federal government. Now with more than 3M square miles of coverage nationwide, FirstNet has the largest network footprint in the country.
The Albany showcase event included interactions with some of the latest devices and deployable technology available to first responders in New York, including drones, connected vehicles, and AT&T’s robotic dog. Briefings were also held by AT&T and FirstNet technicians who operate these devices in the field alongside first responders.
Hundreds of people visited the display and demos situated in the capitol’s concourse, including members of the legislature, law enforcement leaders and members of the media.
While the robotic dog took center stage, many attendees loved the real thing more. FirstNet also brought along Benny, a real-life labradoodle comfort dog who is part of the FirstNet therapy dog program, “ROG the Dog.” Dogs in this program can be deployed to support significant events facing public safety, such as hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and other critical incidents. Benny was on-hand in Albany to demonstrate FirstNet’s holistic array of first responder resources, and to get an eye on his mechanical doppelganger.
In New York, FirstNet connects public safety agencies and organizations in more than 1,650 localities across the state. Nearly 1,375 public safety agencies and organizations are on FirstNet across New York. And we’ve rolled out Band 14 – dedicated public safety spectrum – on more than 3,000 sites. During emergencies, commercial wireless networks can get congested. However, Band 14 can be cleared and locked down just for FirstNet users.
FirstNet was born from the urgent communications needs revealed on September 11, 2001, and will forever be rooted in New York. Those challenges revealed the need for a dedicated, reliable communications platform. Today, FirstNet provides critical connectivity to New York’s first responders when it matters most.
FirstNet is the only nationwide platform that offers public safety always-on priority and, for first responders, preemption capabilities, on Band 14 and all AT&T commercial spectrum bands. Around the clock.
As part of FirstNet’s 10-year, $8B+ investment initiative with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) to transform public safety’s communications, we’ve completed the buildout of 1,000 new FirstNet sites across the country – well ahead of schedule and almost twice as fast as we pledged – providing first responders with dedicated connectivity on public safety’s Band 14 spectrum. And we’re continuing to expand FirstNet with purpose-built FirstNet sites — based on public safety’s direct feedback and network considerations.
Learn more about FirstNet at www.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.
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