Public Safety Networks and Natural Disasters

Pete CodellaBroadband

Systems like FirstNet are imperative in man-made and natural disasters.  In the wake of Hurricane Harvey here is some information on FirstNet and ways to be prepared for emergencies.

As Hurricane Harvey runs rampant through Houston, Texas and other areas off the South Eastern coast, it is important to understand how crucial public safety is to the entire nation.  Hurricane Harvey has brought extreme devastation to people in Houston and the surrounding areas and is slowly making it’s way south along the coast to Louisiana and Mississippi up and further up north.  Although Hurricane Harvey can bring devastation to major cities it will hit rural areas and can cause major damage as well.

Hurricane Harvey has knocked out cable, internet and telephone services throughout the region, making it difficult for many to connect with authorities and loved ones.  Once built, systems like FirstNet, are helpful in situations such as Hurricane Harvey not only for emergency respondents to stay updated as a state, but as a nation for emergency preparedness.  FirstNet will be an emergency wireless network to keep first responders connected.  It will give highly upgraded applications and devices that will give those in emergency the help they need.  FirstNet will be important to sharing networks and communications, connecting to rural responders, giving priority, innovation toward public events, for events with large crowds, and of course for when disasters strike, man-made or natural.  Below are links to previous FirstNet articles on our blog for references:

AT&T on Friday, the beginning of the worst of the hurricane in Texas, released an article about it’s emergency preparedness and listed a series of tips for customers to stay prepared.