AT&T and FirstNet Expo in Atlanta at Georgia Capitol

Kudos to AT&T and the FirstNet® Expo at the Georgia Capitol on March, 1 as Atlantans were able to get a firsthand look at the many benefits of FirstNet, including some of the deployable network assets in its dedicated fleet. The FirstNet fleet is available to boost connectivity every day and during emergent times– at no cost to the public safety agency.

FirstNet, Built with AT&T 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. In Georgia, FirstNet has supported first responders across a variety of everyday incidents and emergencies, including Hurricane Michael, the Big Game in 2019, COVID-19 vaccination sites, and most recently, the January 12 tornado impacting Griffin.

The location was Mitchell Street located between the Capitol Building and the Coverdell Legislative Office Building.

FirstNet deployable assets that were onsite:

ROG the Dog is a fleet of trained Labradoodles who specialize in assisted therapy for first responders through the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition. Bailey the dog and handler Chase will be at the event to meet first responders.

Communications Vehicles (CVs) are command and communications vehicles for emergency deployments, planned events, and training exercises with a space for two communications personnel with multiple monitors, televisions and charging stations, as well as a large exterior screen and speakers for briefings. It provides connectivity via LTE (Band 14) and/or Wi-Fi and can leverage a variety of backhaul options.

Flying COWs® is a tethered drone with larger propellers, increased payload capacity, and specialized LTE, Band 14, 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Flying COWs (Cell on Wings) can withstand light rain and wind speeds up to 25 miles per hour and reach heights of up to 400 feet, making them ideal for hurricane flooded areas, mountain rescues, and other missions where terrain previously made it difficult to maintain connectivity.

Compact Rapid Deployables (CRDs) are small portable cell sites that link to FirstNet via satellite and do not rely on commercial power availability, making them ideal for use during emergencies in rural and remote areas, as well as areas where communications may be temporarily unavailable. Think search and rescue missions