As America’s public safety network, FirstNet®, Built with AT&T is dedicated to keeping first responders connected across all 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia. And as Super Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall with sustained winds surpassing 150 mph (equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic), public safety in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) experienced the strongest typhoon so far this year.
To best support public safety’s operations, the FirstNet Response Operations Group™ (ROG) – in collaboration with local telecom providers – was on the ground in Guam and Saipan to support their emergency communications on the front lines. Made up entirely of former first responders, this team works around the clock, coordinating closely with local and federal agencies and collaborating with officials.
FirstNet portable cell site deployed to support recovery in Saipan after Typhoon Sinlaku.
A portable cell site deployed to support public safety on FirstNet in Saipan.
To enable rapid deployments in the Pacific, each territory has a deployable asset on-hand as part of the dedicated FirstNet fleet. Following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, public safety officials have made 6 FirstNet emergency support requests so far, and the FirstNet ROG team is engaged to ensure they have the reliable communications they require. The team has deployed 4 SatCOWs (Satellite Cell on Wheels) and 2 MiniCRDs (Mini Compact Rapid Deployables), providing critical connectivity across Guam and Saipan. In addition, the team sent additional deployable assets, as well as satellite and in-building solutions to be available to further support public safety's response and recovery operations. These assets help boost network capacity for public safety, deliver reliable connectivity, and support ongoing response and recovery efforts across impacted communities.
“FirstNet is dedicated to public safety across the Pacific territories,” said Sebastian Donaruma – FirstNet ROG Division chief, AT&T. “We are on the ground in Guam and Saipan to give first responders the coverage and capabilities they need to keep people safe and help with recovery efforts in the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.”
Furthering Public Safety’s Command and Control
FirstNet is held to a higher standard because it is not a commercial offering to first responders – it is a unique network purposefully developed with and for the public safety community. We work closely with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and federal, state, tribal, territorial and local public safety officials to understand their unique connectivity needs.
The Pacific territories face distinct challenges during natural disasters because of their remote location and geographic isolation. When disasters like Super Typhoon Sinlaku damage infrastructure and disrupt transportation, moving personnel and resources quickly becomes difficult. In these moments, access to the on-island FirstNet deployable assets is essential to helping sustain emergency response operations. Based on direct feedback from local public safety agencies, we maintain dedicated FirstNet deployable assets in each Pacific territory year-round. This long-term investment helps support the reliable connectivity public safety agencies depend on during emergencies. Where public safety goes, we go. It is our honor and our commitment as public safety’s partner. And we’ll continue to be there for all of America’s first responders – today and for decades to come.
