The Palisades and Eaton wildfires are some of the most destructive fires in California’s history and AT&T’s FirstNet has deployed communications assets in the region to keep first responders connected.

As a public safety partner, the FirstNet team – in collaboration with local AT&T teams and AT&T Network Disaster Recovery – have been on the ground since day one to support first responders and bring reliable connectivity to the area.

“It is in the face of disaster that we come together as a community. I was awed by the first responders on the ground and the people who support their critical missions,” said Scott Agnew, president, AT&T-FirstNet. “It was truly inspiring to see the immense work underway to contain the wildfires, stabilize the area, begin debris removal and start the rebuild process.”

Deployable Assets Support California Responders

Agnew said public safety has made more than 20 requests for emergency support, and the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) has deployable cell sites on the ground, such as Satellite Cell on Light Trucks (SatCOLTs), dedicated solely for first responder communications.

Learn More: 10 Things to Know About FirstNet

The team has also tapped into deployable assets from the AT&T fleet, such as AT&T Super Cell on Wheels (COWs), which provide 10 tiems the capacity of a normal antenna. These assets are supporting public safety’s beachfront incident command posts.

“Agency-owned mobile FirstNet cell sites continue to be a true game changer for emergency response,” Agnew said.

CalFire has deployed its own FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployables (CRDs) in the Los Angeles area to provide added, reliable coverage on the go. These assets can be set up in minutes by just one person, giving first responders greater command and control of their own network.

FirstNet Emergency Response Kits, which equip agencies with a cache of 20 plus FirstNet Ready devices in a protective case to simultaneously recharge and immediately disperse, have been invaluable to mutual-aid first responders on the front lines.

5G Priority & Preemption

In addition, FirstNet continues to provide first responders with always-on 5G priority and preemption across the L.A. area. The macro network reliably connects first responders at a major incident command post in the heart of Pasadena.

Nationwide FirstNet Support

Agnew said the dedication exemplified by the public safety community in Southern California is also seen across our nation.

“FirstNet, Built with AT&T has a commitment like no other – serving all 50 states, five territories, and D.C. with unprecedented accountability to the federal government. While our teams have been on the ground in Southern California, we’ve also had assets deployed for public safety during the presidential inauguration and in the northernmost reaches of Alaska due to undersea fiber cuts,” said Askew. “We go where public safety goes, supporting their unique mission needs. Our partnership with public safety makes this possible – the work we can achieve together is greater than alone.”