In the early days of his career, FirstNet Senior Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisor Brent Williams was a paramedic working private EMS. He was then accepted to work with the Ingham County Sheriff Department in Michigan as a police officer / paramedic. For 11 years, Brent responded to emergencies as an officer with a stethoscope.
After more than three decades as a first responder in the field, Brent wanted to share his firsthand knowledge as a consultant. Most recently, before joining FirstNet, Brent was an EMS Radio Communications Consultant to the EMS and Trauma Systems Section of Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services. He has also served as a longstanding member of the Department of Homeland Security SAFECOM Emergency Response Council.
Brent enjoys speaking at different EMS meetings around the country about FirstNet, and draws from his wealth of experience to explain the endless advantages the network is anticipated to bring, like advanced diagnostic capabilities, a better picture of what patients need in real-time, and more medical data resources to pull from than ever before.
He says the best part of these meetings, is watching the faces of EMS workers light up the minute they get it…when they understand the promise of FirstNet. “That moment,” Brent says, “is what makes every word of those talks worthwhile.”
What brought you to FirstNet?
The opportunity to be part of the development of what will be the major communications system used by public safety nationwide for the foreseeable future.
What do you wish public safety understood about FirstNet?
How it will change the way we serve our patients. It represents, and makes possible, so much more than just voice communications and will allow for far more advanced services to our patients.
How has first responder/public safety technology evolved since you held your first public safety role?
When I visit EMS conferences, many have an "EMS History" display. I have used most of the gear in those displays. Technology improvements have made the equipment we use lighter, more functional, easier to use, and better for the patient. FirstNet will enable even more of those types of changes in the very near future.
If you could have a dream public safety app, what would it be?
My dream EMS app would combine all of the information being gathered at a scene and present it to both the EMS crew and the receiving hospital(s) in a usable format.
Who do you admire most in public safety today -- and why?
There are many leaders who have advanced public safety communications. Too many to recognize. In EMS, I'm always amazed with the dedication of so many of our volunteer caregivers. They are becoming a vanishing breed, and when they are gone, too many rural areas won't have a local EMS presence but will be served by larger EMS agencies from a more populated area. Some rural EMS volunteers have been "in the business" for decades. Often, they are part of only a small handful of responders in a small community, and they keep themselves in town and available for long stretches of time. That dedication to community and the people they serve is unmatched.
When the FirstNet Network is up and running all throughout the country, what do you hope first responders will say?
I hope they say that they love it, and that they can’t imagine doing their jobs without it.
