FirstNet’s First Responder Network Authority recently established a working group to study public safety wireless broadband mission requirements when operating in the air and on the water. The group sought to understand how public safety uses broadband for aviation and maritime operations and how it could be used in these environments in the future. As a result of this study, the FirstNet Authority published the Public Safety Aviation and Maritime Case Study outlining public safety’s broadband-related needs for aerial and maritime operations.
The Public Safety Aviation and Maritime Case Study is a result of efforts that began in January 2022. The FirstNet Authority convened public safety and technical experts from across the organization to research broadband use in the air and on the water.
“This study reflects the FirstNet Authority’s commitment to understanding public safety’s operational needs and using them to drive network requirements and enhancements,” said Charles Murph, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority.
“The case study is based on targeted feedback from aviation and maritime units in public safety agencies across the nation. Over the course of six months, the working group conducted a series of engagements, including virtual engagements with 20 aviation and 12 maritime units.”
Of the aviation units, 14 included unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, programs. To gain a hands-on perspective of the units, the working group also conducted on-site engagements with two public safety aviation units and two public safety maritime units.
Through these engagements, according to Murph, the working group captured critical information about how public safety agencies are communicating in aviation and maritime environments today and what mission requirements they have for the future.
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