During my years working for AT&T and in state government, I’ve traveled thousands of miles across our state. I’m always reminded of how large and diverse Pennsylvania really is. One thing is constant, however: Every community has Pennsylvanians who answer the call to keep their communities safe. Some are paid for their work, others volunteer, but they all share a strong desire to help and protect their neighbors in times of need.
I recently joined U.S. Rep. Robert Bresnahan, Jr., Dave Buchanan from the FirstNet Authority, representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police and other public safety officials for an event at Valley Regional Fire & Rescue in Drums, Luzerne County, to announce a new cell site that will provide more coverage for first responders and residents of the county.
The station was very active that day, with EMS vehicles coming and going, responding to different calls in a territory that covers roughly 250 square miles in Luzerne County, from the Columbia County line in the west and Carbon County line in the east.
As we were about to start the program, Chief Brice Dalyrimple’s radio crackled with a call to respond to an incident. He immediately left the station, as other firefighters donned their gear and headed out, with full lights and sirens. Minutes later, other volunteers arrived in their personal vehicles, hopped on another firetruck and roared out of the building.
I share this story to help illustrate what takes place in communities across Pennsylvania and around the country almost every minute of every day: First responders rushing to the scene of an incident, often unsure what to fully expect when they arrive. It also reinforced for me the importance of wireless connectivity to help them help our communities.
Earlier in the day, a group of us visited a hilltop cell site that sits at the end of a bumpy, one-lane access road in Drums. This new site improves wireless coverage and capacity around Butler Drive and Old Turnpike Road. We also recently turned on a new site in Hazleton, which improves coverage and capacity around Jeansville Road and State Route 424. And, in December 2024, we turned on a new site in Larksville, which improves coverage and capacity around East State Street and Railroad Street.
These new sites include 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®, Built with AT&T. Now, more Luzerne County first responders, including Chief Dalrymple and his team, have access to the dedicated connectivity when and where they need it to protect and serve their communities.
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, enabling public safety subscribers to communicate with one another easily and quickly during everyday situations, big events and emergencies. 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. AT&T has a federal mandate to expand and evolve the network, so public safety stays at the forefront of innovative, lifesaving technologies.
The chief told us that “FirstNet is set to become a crucial ally in ensuring public safety in our region, thanks to AT&T’s dedication and investment in communication for all emergency responders who safeguard vital infrastructure and communities. This technology will be indispensable, enhancing our capabilities when the situation demands it.”
Rep. Bresnahan said that “public safety communications are all about keeping our neighbors and communities safe. These new sites in Luzerne County will expand the vital connections our first responders need to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. He also noted that the “access to 5G is great news for the residents and businesses who rely on cellular service to connect with family, friends, customers, and the entire world around them every day.”
Click here to see what Rep. Bresnahan posted on X.
Dave Buchanan from the FirstNet Authority said that his federal agency “is expanding the network based on public safety’s evolving needs and operations. Now, we are delivering on that promise for first responders in Luzerne County and across Pennsylvania. These sites enhance coverage and help public safety serve the community.”
With more than 1,800 localities in Pennsylvania where first responders and public safety agencies rely on FirstNet, the service is critical to public safety across the Commonwealth. We’ve made significant investments in Pennsylvania to improve and enhance connectivity for first responders subscribed to FirstNet. Today, nearly 2,300 wireless sites across the state have Band 14 spectrum. We are proud to partner with public safety and are committed to continuing to deliver a second-to-none experience for the first responder community.
Our event ended and we left the station, but Chief Dalrymple and his team had yet to return from what turned out to be a traffic accident not far from the station. I left knowing that our work with local first responders and the FirstNet Authority better assured that the chief and his team that day – and other first responders across our state – had better access to a wireless network that can help save lives.
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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.
