By Tracey Murdock, FirstNet Outreach and Consultation Lead - Region 8

“Does a nationwide network include us, too?” asked an emergency medical service responder from rural Montana.  The question came during a meeting earlier this month in Glasgow, MT, which is a small, rural town located in the Northeastern part of Montana.  Our consultation with the Big Sky State also brought us to the largest city in Montana – Billings, with a population near 115,000.

Both meetings offered perspectives on how first responders currently use mobile data in communities and towns in rural states, as well as examples of how a public safety broadband network could enhance their day-to-day and emergency operations. 

In addition to discussions about coverage, Montana public safety leaders also expressed interest in the potential cost of subscribing to the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, the use of their own devices on the Network, the security of data, and meeting Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) privacy rules.

We also received feedback on the types of mobile applications they wished they had, such as layered mapping to know what is under the road and real-time satellite imaging for wild fires.  An EMS provider discussed how the network could improve access to emergency information that is now only available to law enforcement.

A special “Thank You” to the Montana SPOC team and representatives from local police, county sheriffs, area fire agencies, hospitals, K9 comfort, EMS, 911, emergency managers, airport responders, and city officials who shared their ideas for an effective broadband network for public safety in Montana. 

And a “yes” to the EMS provider who inquired about whether first responders operating in rural communities would be covered by the FirstNet network.