Disaster response requires coordination across agencies. The U.S. now experiences an average of $1 billion in every three weeks. To mitigate these costs to our communities, agencies are investing in the right tools and infrastructure to respond quickly and effectively across government functions.  

Fire, police, EMS, utilities, transportation, and even K-12 safety and operations professionals need open and reliable voice and data communication channels to coordinate among their staff and across agencies. In the aftermath of a disaster, commercial networks can be damaged and/or overrun with high traffic. This could mean delays in coordinating response efforts, getting updates from the field, or managing logistics.  

FirstNet for first responders 

To ensure first responders and public safety personnel maintain critical connectivity, agencies rely on FirstNet^®, Built with AT&T — the only nationwide wireless network built with and for America’s first responders and those who support them. FirstNet provides always-on priority, helping ensure that public safety’s sensitive communications never compete with commercial traffic. 

FirstNet serves first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS, as well as other essential support organizations that assist during emergencies. This includes agencies and entities that provide mitigation, remediation, overhaul, cleanup, restoration, and other critical services before, during and after an incident. With access to a dedicated network when they need it, agencies can better coordinate recovery efforts across agencies to restore essential services more efficiently. 

Extending the reach of FirstNet 

FirstNet can be used beyond traditional radios and phones, integrating with telematics and other critical fleet management tools to further enhance visibility and coordination of recovery efforts. Samsara is proud that our is now FirstNet Trusted™ and available for use on FirstNet, having undergone extensive cybersecurity testing. This allows public safety customers to use near real-time routing and dispatch insights from Samsara to further inform response decisions during critical times, when every second counts.  

The certification of the Vehicle Gateway enables seamless integration of Samsara’s solutions across telematics, AI Dash Cams, sensors, and more. This eliminates the need to acquire multiple FirstNet SIM cards and data plans. Both pricing and network access are streamlined.  

In addition to maintaining critical communication connectivity across damaged or remote areas, response teams using FirstNet can access data to monitor fleet operations and efficiently dispatch vehicles, ensuring the safety of the local community. Samsara’s FirstNet connection ensures response teams have access to GPS tracking, remote diagnostics, and more. This allows them to optimize routes, fuel and energy use, vehicle maintenance, compliance, and driver management.  

For more information, visit our FirstNet page.

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.