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Wireless network solely for first responders rolls out

Just this past weekend for the March for Our Lives rally, a portable cell tower on the National Mall gave first responders their own network with reliable, secure internet.

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — A major effort to improve public safety across the country launched Thursday. FirstNet, a wireless network for first responders, has been a massive effort in the making for years.

The recommendation came in the wake of 9/11. First responders had problems communicating with other agencies after the attacks. They’ve been fighting for a way to work together better ever since, both in every day work and big emergencies.

In 2012, Congress raised $7 billion by auctioning off bandwidth space. In a public-private partnership, AT&T put up $40 billion to build out the FirstNet network over 25 years.

Department of Commerce Secretary Willbur Ross last year said it’ll help improve public safety across the country.

“It will change an untenable status quo by providing first responders with the tools they need to keep people safe. Today is a landmark day for public safety,” Ross said.

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FirstNet President TJ Kennedy said it will help agencies coordinate their efforts.

“They’ll be able to get information that will help them in responding to crime. It will help them in responding to fire in your home because they’ll have access to the data that will allow them to respond quicker,” he explained.

Firstnet will cover all 50 states, D.C. and six territories.

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Just this past weekend for the March for Our Lives rally, a portable cell tower on the National Mall gave first responders their own network with reliable, secure internet.

The U.S. Department of Commerce gave the District $800,000 to help get the city on board. Fairfax County in Virginia and Washington County in Maryland are already using the network.

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