Baltimore Fire Chief Niles Ford says the nationwide broadband public safety network will give first responders “opportunities we’ve never had” to communicate during emergencies.

“I think FirstNet is going to open a whole lot of doors that we’ve not had the opportunity to walk through from a technological standpoint,” Ford says in a recent interview with FirstNet, which is building the network in a public-private partnership with AT&T.

Ford says the high-speed wireless network, which gives priority and preemption to public safety, will allow firefighters to communicate and know the whereabouts of each, and know the conditions inside a fire scene, like never before.

“This is a watershed moment for the fire service,” he says. “I don’t think I can exaggerate the possibilities. I think it will be stratospheric in nature.”

Ultimately, the FirstNet network will create an environment of improved technology for first responders and keep them and the public safer, Ford says.

“We exist to serve the community, and if we can do it better, then count us in,” he says.

More from Chief Niles Ford in the video below: