The Kansas Highway Patrol has become the first public safety agency in the state to subscribe to FirstNet. This move lets us take advantage of the early benefits of FirstNet, and it sets us up for continued success as the solution evolves. We want to lead in technology, so we can better serve the people of Kansas.
FirstNet is the country’s first and only nationwide public safety broadband network dedicated to first responders – available when and where we need it. Built with AT&T, in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, it gives our communications capabilities a major boost, providing a reliable, highly secure and “always on” connection.
Equipping our officers with FirstNet will help us stay connected to the critical information we need. And it will help ensure we can easily and quickly communicate with one another during everyday situations, big events or emergencies.
“We’re proud to be the state’s anchor tenant for this cutting-edge public safety broadband network,” said Kansas Highway Patrol Colonel Mark Bruce. “FirstNet is truly transformational. We’re just beginning to unleash its potential, but we believe it’s a promising solution that will help us do our jobs better and faster – while staying safer.”
Our decision to join FirstNet was based on 3 critical factors:
· Groundbreaking Technology – FirstNet is the only platform that gives first responders priority and preemption. That means we’ll never have to compete for a connection on a congested network. Instead, our communications are prioritized, helping us stay connected to the information we need, so we can keep ourselves and those we serve safe and secure. We look forward to taking advantage of additional mission-critical capabilities as the technology advances.
· Immediate Innovation – FirstNet will enable us to use data in new ways. FirstNet comes complete with a public safety-focused applications ecosystem, putting innovative tools at our fingertips. The more information and capabilities we have access to, the smarter and faster we can operate.
· Coverage, Capacity and Control – As the build-out of the nationwide public safety broadband network gets underway in Kansas, we will have access to increased coverage and capacity. This will help us support emergencies in all areas of the state – from rural to urban. Plus, as local control becomes available on the FirstNet platform, we’ll be able to allocate communications resources in near real-time to support our first responders who need them most. With FirstNet, the ball is in our court.
“As the first agency in Kansas to adopt this critical new solution, the Kansas Highway Patrol will help lead the way for first responders across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer. “And by sharing their lessons learned, they can help fellow first responders modernize and enhance their life-saving capabilities. With FirstNet, Kansas residents can expect a level of service that is second to none.”
When a major event occurs, it’s important to share data with other responders. As more agencies subscribe to FirstNet services, it will drive a greater level of interoperability. This will help us communicate with ease across agencies, jurisdictions and even state lines.
“FirstNet is the exclusive platform built for public safety, by public safety - there is no substitution for this experience that they fought for,” said First Responder Network Authority CEO Mike Poth. “We look forward to supporting the Kansas public safety community’s use of FirstNet, making sure it delivers what they need, when they need it.”
“FirstNet will help first responders in Kansas and across the country perform at the highest levels,” said Mike Scott, president, AT&T Kansas. “We’re honored to play a part in that transformation.”
To learn more about the Kansas Highway Patrol, go to http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/.
