Two Key Components of an Effective Health and Wellness Plan

Most agencies have made significant progress in recognizing health and wellness issues in public safety and implementing strategies and programs to address those challenges. Peer Support teams, Chaplaincy programs, and Critical Incident Stress Management briefings are now common in many areas.

However, two other programs should be part of any comprehensive wellness initiative in a first responder agency: Early Intervention and Reintegration. The first is proactive, getting responders the help they need when the signs are apparent rather than waiting until they become serious. The second ensures that those returning to work after a leave feel supported and welcomed back to the workplace.

Early Intervention Programs

As agencies become more aware of the lingering negative effects of unaddressed trauma, leaders are starting to recognize the importance of getting members the help they need as soon as possible. Sometimes, if a first responder has an issue, the warning signs will appear in their work performance or attitude toward co-workers and the general public. 

Early intervention programs are a way of monitoring behavior and highlighting concerning trends. Agencies already track data points like sick days and late days. By creating the appropriate database, an early intervention team can identify members exhibiting unusual behavior trends. For example, a police agency may track for an individual officer:

• Sick days.

• Late days.

• Public complaints. 

• Missed court dates.

• Traffic accidents. 

• Traffic infractions.

• Internal or disciplinary issues. 

• Use of force incidents. 

Because the early intervention team has an eye on all these aspects, they can quickly pinpoint things others can miss. When trends are brought to the attention of the member's direct supervisor, they can have a conversation with the member to see if further support is needed and if something is going on in the employee's life. This program is non-punitive and should not lead to discipline. That should be a separate process. It aims to identify early warning signs from an outside, objective perspective and provide support as needed and if the employee is willing to engage. 

Reintegration Programs

For post-traumatic growth to occur, first responders returning to the workplace after time off must have a good experience. Agencies must have a structured program to ensure returning employees have all the support and resources they need to transition back into their roles and stay healthy. This program should be for all employees returning from leave, regardless of the cause for their time off.

Inevitably, a first responder will again face trauma. Still, reintegration programs go a long way in assisting them in returning to the workplace at their own pace and in a way that makes them feel welcome. The reintegration program representative should meet with the employee to review any medical restrictions and any outstanding training or certifications that would need to be completed before a return to full duties. They can also assist the employee's supervisor in preparing for their return. The internal support network fostered in first responder culture is still the most important resource, so it is essential that they feel welcomed back into their workplace and supported by those who understand them and what they have been through. 

A reintegration program can provide support through:

• Reaching out to the employee several weeks before their return. 
• Provide the employee with the contact name and number of the person who can help them with anything related to their return. 
• Ensuring the employee has restored access to the necessary databases and computer systems. 
• Liaising with the training department to ensure the employee has a list of the training and re-qualifications needed before returning to full duties. 
• Mapping out with the employee and their supervisor what their first few days will look like—do they have accommodations that need to be considered? Are they on shortened shifts? Do they need administrative time to catch up on outstanding communication or training? 
• Ensure the employees' uniforms fit and their pass cards are reactivated. If the employee is a law enforcement officer, ensure their firearm and badge are waiting at the office on the first day back (if appropriate). 
• Arrange for someone to meet the employee on their first day back to welcome them and see if they have any questions. If there has been staff turnover, introduce them to the new people on the team. 

Conclusion

Adding these two programs to an existing health and wellness strategy helps agencies be more proactive in helping their members rather than relying on the first responders to self-identify that they need support. Issues can be addressed early before they have a detrimental effect on the individual or the agency and support can be provided in a timely manner. If members feel adequately supported when they return to work, they will be more likely to stay. Knowing these support programs are in place helps first responders have long, healthy careers from recruitment to retirement and boosts employee morale.

About the Author

Sarah Guenette, MA, spent over 16 years working in the public safety field. Sarah has a background in   9-1-1 and dispatch spending over 10 years working in these roles in the city of Calgary. She ended her career there overseeing the Learning and Development section for 9-1-1 and Bylaw Services. This included training, health and safety and quality improvement.  She implemented and oversaw the Peer Support team for these groups for over 8 years. Sarah is the co-founder of Pro-D Learning which provides online training programs for companies and agencies with a focus on leadership and first responder wellness.

Sarah is passionate about creating and maintaining a healthy workplace for public safety members. She is also the proud wife of a Calgary Police Service officer so is focused on what loved ones and family can do to support first responders.

What is Your Leadership style?

I want to travel back in time to the year 1977 when Robert K. Greenleaf, an AT&T executive, published a book entitled, "Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness". The book's premise was that as leaders, we must focus primarily on our employees. We were to focus on their needs rather than ourselves or the organization. As leaders, we need to stop being so self-centered and be more employee-centered.  

I read this book and saw how my supervisors did not lead but were more managers. This approach was the best way to motivate employees to perform at their best. In performing as a servant leader, you develop employee's personal growth, and the department would also grow as their employees grow.

As I was promoted to Sergeant and then Lieutenant, I followed this style and found that it did work. Employees appreciate that someone focuses on them first and a supervisor second. It provided me the opportunity to develop officer leaders through training and giving them opportunities to handle assignments in a leadership position even though they weren't in charge of anyone. This helped build confidence and a desire to become the next generation of servant leaders.

Many books were published about military and political leaders and their leadership styles in the ensuing years. These leaders mostly held the rank of General or were Presidents and Prime Ministers. Some of whom I had the opportunity to meet and talk with. They provided a lot of lessons on how to be a better leader. But now, fast forward to 2015. That year, Jocko Willink, a 20-year veteran who retired as a lieutenant commander with the United States Navy SEALS, published a new book on leadership. Jocko pulled no punches. The general premise was that as leaders, we were to handle "the hell up" and take responsibility for everything. If you want to know about the problem, look in the mirror. He spoke of how important building relationships and working with others was. As a leader, whether I was a Sergeant or a Lieutenant, it didn't matter where in the chain of command I was; I was still a leader because I could get officers going in the right direction. I served my officers, I put them first and foremost in what I did (Servant Leader), and I took responsibility for my actions; I took a hands-off approach but was always there if needed (Extreme Ownership).

His books have become a part of many training programs for business, military, and first responder organizations. A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a Richmond Police Department promotional ceremony. I gave each new Lieutenant several books on leadership, including Jocko's book. It had served me well, and I wanted others to do the same.

We model behavior for better or worse, and we follow people who model behavior that we see as being in our best interest. As Oscar Wilde wrote, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'.  So, let's move on to another aspect of being a leader. What characteristics do you espouse? Comfort, love, common sharing, being one in spirit, tenderness, compassion, being like-minded? Are you a leader who leads out of a selfish ambition or conceit?  Or are you a leader who shows humility and values others above yourself?  Do you avoid looking at your own interests but at the interests of others? Are you letting your "reasonableness" be known to others? When it came to being a leader, I didn't make a big deal about it. I did it daily without being asked, even if I never got noticed or thanked. Which happened often. 

How did I perform as a leader to be the one people wanted to imitate? Well, being humble was a big thing for me. If I messed up, I acknowledged my own shortcomings, strengths, and weaknesses/limitations. I was fine in recognizing the strength of others to support my mission. I also showed openness to learning from my fellow officers and supervisors.

What about your reputation as a leader? Do you show compassion and genuine concern for the welfare of others? Are you compassionate about the health of your organization? Do your words and actions see your leadership? Does your attitude show your character above all else? These are questions that you should be asking yourself each day. You should be the one people want to follow because you are the leader they want to follow.

As you prepare to be in a command position to take a more formal leadership position, you must look at what kind of leader you want to be. It's a simple question: what kind of leader do you want to be? What kind of leader will you be? Will you show compassion and concern for the welfare of your employees first, then the organization?

Because the organization rests on the employees. Will you develop your employees to be strong and provide a strong foundation for your organization? A strength that the organization can stand on and build on. Will you show a true interest in your employees? That you care for them, their welfare, their work environment, and their success. Do you have a proven character that serves the organization and others want to follow? Is your relationship with your employees as a family? Do you see them as family and not just parts of an organization? Do you have friends within the organization? Do you care for people that way, as friends and family?

How will you honor your employees? I will be there each day, with them in all situations, and support them through all the ups and downs they will face.

Are you called to be a leader or a manager? Will you serve each day with your employees? You know, working elbow to elbow, serving together, forming and fostering relationships. As a fellow soldier on the battlefield working together and serving together.

As a leader, remember you are also the Public Information Officer for the department. You are the primary messenger between your officers and the organization.

You don't need a title to serve within the organization. All employees are called to be leaders. Are you helping to develop them into leaders? If you do, you are failing not only your employees but yourself.

In closing, as a leader, how are you serving? Are you one who, as a leader, is always not to be served but to serve? As for me, I worked for my platoon; for my officers, I stood between them and the administration to protect them from stuff that always came down to do. I wanted to keep as much off them as I could. Why? Because they had enough to do and if I could help make their jobs easier than I did. I am not thinking of myself but of others, to be selfless in service and to look to others long before myself.

What about you? Are you truly a combination of Servant Leader and Extreme Ownership. Is this you? What if I came and watched you for a month? Would you show that you did what you espouse? Would walk the talk"? Ar?? you are the kind leader who puts the needs of others above your own. Where you show patience, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control. Do you take on that extreme ownership?

I hope so because we need that type of strong leader now and going into the future.

About the Author

Robert C. Marland joined the Richmond (Virginia) Police Department in September of 1976 and retired on March 1, 2022, as a Detective Lieutenant after serving 45 ½ years. He started his career in 1972 as a cadet with the Franklin Co. Sherriff’s Department and then worked with the Grove City Ohio PD and the University of Dayton Campus Security.

Marland served as an Internal to the City Manager’s Office. And has been assigned to the Administrative Services, Special Projects Officer to the Chief of Police as the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Communication Projects Unit, where he implement the Department’s 800MHz Radio System and Coordinator of the Geographical Information System. His assignments included, the Training and Development Unit, Planning and Research Division, Professional Standards/Audits and Inspections Unit. Marland served most of his career as a Precinct/Sector Commander and Commander of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, Motorcycle Unit, Crash Team Reconstruction Unit, Mobile Command Center, Crowd Management Team, Aviation, Mounted, and K-9 Units. When not in these units, he was an Acting/Captain in the Watch Commander Office

T-Mobile’s T-Priority: What It Means for the Fire Service

By Jonathan Boyd, Fire Chief at Allen Fire Department

T-Mobile recently announced T-Priority during their Capital Market Day, which introduces reserved network capacity for first responders using cutting-edge "network slicing" technology.

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/t-priority-network-slice-for-first-%20%20responders?cmpid=TFB_SLN_U_OWNDSOCIAL_ABF0F55DF7FF9EB4122971

Some of the key highlights from the announcement include:

• Dynamic network slicing for first responder traffic
• Prioritized access to data in high-demand situations
• Integration across T-Mobile's 5G infrastructure, covering a wide area

The potential here is promising because, as bandwidth demands for emergency response agencies continue to grow, the new tech could help us manage real-time video, high-volume data sharing, and complex communications more reliably.

What is Network Slicing?

Network slicing is a technology that allows the network to allocate dedicated resources (like a virtual lane on a highway) to specific types of traffic. A great analogy is emergency vehicles with lights on: data packets (vehicles) are all trying to travel across the network (the road), and when the system sees the "emergency vehicles," it slows down the regular traffic to ensure priority packets get through quickly. This virtual "lane" is potentially flexible. If only one emergency vehicle is on the road, other cars may not even notice. But, if many emergency vehicles (high- priority data) need access, regular traffic will slow down significantly or even stop.

For example, a 5G tower with a capacity of 1 Gbps could dynamically allocate 800 Mbps for first responder agencies during an emergency, leaving 200 Mbps for general public use. This ensures that first responders can send and receive critical information without delays, even in high-traffic situations.

What About Frequency Spectrum Interference?

This is an area where I still have questions. In extreme scenarios with heavy commercial traffic, spectrum interference could still be an issue. However, just like with our P25 radio systems, I imagine the cell tower will use control channels to guide devices on which frequencies are available. T-Mobile also noted that T-Priority operates across all 5G bands (low, mid, and high), reducing the likelihood of spectrum interference.

How Does It Compare to FirstNet?

FirstNet was designed to avoid spectrum interference by providing dedicated access through Band 14. During emergencies, commercial users can be removed from Band 14 to ensure that first responders have access. FirstNet also has extensive rural coverage, which is a big advantage.

However, FirstNet relies mainly on 4G LTE, which has limited data capacity. If your main focus is voice calls and simple text messages, FirstNet works great. But as emergency response agencies rely more on data-heavy technologies, 5G’s larger capacity could offer a significant advantage, especially for data-intense tasks.

What Uses So Much Data?

The biggest data hog? Video—especially live streaming. For instance, agencies using DroneSense Remote for drone operations require around 20 Mbps upload and download for smooth performance. One drone stream may not sound like much, but in a 4G LTE environment, which typically caps at 100 Mbps, just a few video streams could use up a significant chunk of bandwidth.

With more agencies using live video, multiple streams, and real-time situational awareness tools, data needs are growing exponentially.

Why 5G and T-Priority Matter

Even without T-Priority, 5G already offers a massive improvement over 4G in terms of data capacity. More bandwidth means that even during major emergencies, there’s still room for everyone—both first responders and the general public. And the public needs connectivity to evacuate, reunite with loved ones, and find emergency services. If they lose access, solving those problems will fall back on us, the emergency responders, making our job even harder.

Here is an article I wrote about that very subject: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/boyd1_the-day-our-cell-infrastructure-proved-its-activity-%20%207233883135782895617-2uNB?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

T-Priority potentially offers an additional layer of bandwidth security, ensuring we get the bandwidth we need in critical moments, while still allowing the general public to stay connected.

The Future

Overall, I’m optimistic about this new technology and will be closely watching their pilot programs, such as the one with the City of New York. New York will be a big test and success there pretty much will ensure legitimacy of the technology.

I'm also eager to learn more about hardware and software requirements and whether T-Priority will work at all 5G sites or if retrofitting is needed.

About the Author

Jonathan Boyd is the Fire Chief of the City of Allen Fire Department. Since joining the department in 1996, Boyd has held multiple key roles and became Fire Chief in 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas and completed the Executive Fire Officer Program in 2017.

By Robert Marland, Acting IPSA Executive Director

During my 45 ½ years with Richmond Police Department, 81% of my career was in a supervisory position, starting as an Acting/Sergeant, Sergeant, Acting Lieutenant, Lieutenant and an Acting/Captain. So today, I will be focusing on Leadership.

With each promotion, I saw how successful I could be. But these successes required a lot of hard work. Early in life, I realized I wanted to be a lifelong learner. This required that I recognize and acknowledge when I didn’t know something or, better yet, just hadn’t learned it yet. To learn what I didn’t know required that I take my own time and money and invest in expanding my knowledge. I just couldn’t sit idly by, waiting for opportunities to present themselves. I also saw how disastrous some supervisors were who thought they knew everything about our profession. I strongly encouraged my officers to be proactive and take the necessary steps to seek out the unknown and expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities. I didn’t just speak about it I showed them where they could obtain these opportunities.

I encouraged my officers to focus on achieving further success for themselves, their families, in our society, and within the Police Department.

There are several stages of human life and social development. The key is that most humans reach a point in their life where they deem themselves successful because they have what “they” want and, instead, pivot and focus on wanting to be significant. Many authors in leadership write about when you are successful, you have added value to yourself, but when you become significant, you have added value to others. This is so true. I have found it in my life.

It can be easy to confuse significance with success and vice versa. I know it happened to me for many years of my career. I had come from what I would describe as humble beginnings but had the focus and determination to succeed. One day, it dawned on me that success wasn’t all that life was about. As a father, husband, and the RPD Lieutenant “extraordinaire”, it was more about the legacy I was leaving for my family. What value was I adding to their lives?

Trust me, when you consider your role as a leader in those terms, it takes on a completely different meaning.

You see, each of us is leaving a legacy every day with every encounter we have. Realizing this at any age will give you a much more thoughtful approach to how to deal with others.

Both success and significance take time, effort, and commitment. When you begin by focusing on the value you are adding both to yourself and to others, you will be significant, which in turn will make it much easier to become successful. When you commit to pursuing significance, it will push you out of your comfort zone; you will have to do things differently. You will see the world differently and you will find yourself seeking to pursue objectives that are bigger than yourself. That’s a tough thing to do in a world of instant gratification. When you pursue significance, you plant seeds for the people with whom you encounter that may not grow until long past the time you are in their world.

To help you fully understand the difference between success and significance, I want to talk about some key areas where you will see your mindset shift when you focus on being significant:

First, Discipline: Significant people are disciplined people. They no longer need the “feeling” that motivation requires to accomplish their goals. They set routines and stick with them. They understand that putting in the time (and the pain) means they will achieve their goals.

Second, Intentionality: You may be familiar with author and lecturer John Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell said, “Success can last a lifetime; significance can last several.” That nails it. When you focus on being significant, you value your time because your time is the most precious commodity you have. Significant leaders invest their time wisely knowing that by valuing their time and being intentional with it, they can accomplish anything.

Third, Focus: Successful people ask, “How can I add value to myself and my team?” But significant people ask, “How can I add value to others?” You will need to focus on sharing your knowledge, talent, and time to help others become the best they can be.

Fourth, Serving Others: When you pursue significance, you commit to serving others. Your focus and responsibility is on growing future leaders, both at home and within your workplace. THAT IS WHAT MATTERS. It takes time, energy, and dedication to create a connection with your Sergeants and officers so that you learn about their values and motivations which will allow you to develop and enable future significant leaders to have a lasting and positive impact.

Fifth, Rewards: The rewards of being significant are many. When you commit to turning your talents to the benefit of others, you will find that the influence you have is tremendous. Your opinion matters to those who find you significant. It also grows you. Perhaps the greatest reward is the self-realization that you have created value for another person. Success can be short-lived, but its significance will last for decades.

I will close with a couple of final thoughts. First, in all my years studying leadership, I found the following 10 keys to leadership success:

1)   How you think is everything. Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of negative environments.

2)   Decide upon your true dreams and goals. Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.

3)  Take action. Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it.

4)   Never stop learning. Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.

5)   Be persistent and work hard. Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.

6)   Learn to analyze details. Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.

7)   Focus your time and money. Don't let other people or things distract you.

8)   Don't be afraid to innovate, be different. Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.

9)   Deal and communicate with people effectively. No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.

10)   Be honest and dependable; take responsibility. Otherwise, numbers 1-9 won't matter.

I now charge each of you with the following:

First and foremost, pursue being the most significant leader you can be. Make a commitment here and now to help others learn from your mistakes and successes. Share your hard-won knowledge by providing a foundation of knowledge to others, which will enable them to grow beyond your wildest expectations. Being significant isn’t easy; it requires a complete mindset

shift focused on what you possess that could help another.

Think about your past and current bosses. What are some things you wish you saw from them and what are some things you would like to see? One thing people really want is for their boss to be clear, concise, and consistent.

Leaders - you need to mentor your employees. Remember that they have the most direct influence and make up the largest percentage of any agency.

About the Author

Robert C. Marland joined the Richmond (Virginia) Police Department in September of 1976 and retired on March 1, 2022, as a Detective Lieutenant after serving 45 ½ years. He started his career in 1972 as a cadet with the Franklin Co. Sherriff’s Department and then worked with the Grove City Ohio PD and the University of Dayton Campus Security.

Marland served as an Internal to the City Manager’s Office. And has been assigned to the Administrative Services, Special Projects Officer to the Chief of Police as the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Communication Projects Unit, where he implement the Department’s 800MHz Radio System and Coordinator of the Geographical Information System. His assignments included, the Training and Development Unit, Planning and Research Division, Professional Standards/Audits and Inspections Unit. Marland served most of his career as a Precinct/Sector Commander and Commander of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, Motorcycle Unit, Crash Team Reconstruction Unit, Mobile Command Center, Crowd Management Team, Aviation, Mounted, and K-9 Units. When not in these units, he was an Acting/Captain in the Watch Commander Office.

Video interviews with T-Mobile leadership provide additional insight

Access to mission critical data is essential for first responders and T-Mobile just announced an important development regarding data prioritization at the FBI National Academy Associates (FBI NAA) Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Although this conference is comprised of command-level state and local law enforcement personnel, the prioritization of public safety data on mobile devices will be game-changing for all first responders, not just police. 

T-Mobile Sr. Vice President George Fischer spoke to conference attendees and announced that, effective immediately, first responder agencies who have voice priority and preemption as a result of their enrollment in the Wireless Priority Service (WPS), will also have priority for their data on smartphones, hotspots and tablets. And in a situation where a natural disaster or major incident may impact service, T-Mobile will provide network resources to them first. Similarly, if a first responder is using data in a low-coverage area, the network will automatically reallocate resources to help maintain that critical connection. A press release was issued the same day that Fischer made this announcement.

T-Mobile is the first and only wireless provider to add data priority in collaboration with the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which oversees the WPS process. T-Mobile has been working closely with CISA to streamline the enrollment process for all first responder agency customers. As a result, data priority will now be automatic, and there is no fee or requirement for additional registration.

While at the conference, Fischer did a short video interview during which he emphasized the importance of data prioritization for public safety. “When there’s a major incident, often towers or parts of other networks are down,” he said. “The ability to prioritize data for the first responder means they get the available bandwidth that’s out there and they can operate effectively when it counts the most.”

Also at the FBI NAA conference was T-Mobile Vice President Dave Bezzant, who has been a key part of the collaborative effort with DHS/CISA and has strongly supported providing WPS enrollment assistance to first responders. Bezzant also participated in a short video interview during which he stressed the importance of prioritizing data for public safety. “We teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security and T-Mobile launched data priority, which is part of our Wireless Priority Services,” Bezzant explained. “Tablets, mobile device terminals, whatever form of data that first responders want to use throughout the United States, will have priority data and it does not de-prioritize on the back end. That’s especially important because it works on 5G.”

Bezzant also provided some insight on T-Mobile Connecting Heroes and the reasoning behind the program’s ten-year commitment to provide free, subsidized, and low-cost smartphone connectivity and technology assistance to state and local first responder agencies. “We did research and we looked at where government institutions needed assistance,” he said. “Far too many times, we saw that there were first responders who did not have the proper equipment or the proper gear to be able to do their job. We want to make sure that every first responder does not have to compromise on budget and has access to the tools that they need to keep America safe.” 

Forward-thinking public safety leaders across the country are recognizing that empowering front-line personnel with mobile devices provides increased operational efficiency, improved safety, and more effective community engagement. The sheer utility of a smartphone is a game changer for first responders and the return on investment is quickly realized, especially when agencies are part of the Connecting Heroes program.

You can learn more about how T-Mobile for Government is helping public safety agencies improve operational effectiveness and the Connecting Heroes program designed just for first responders by visiting T-Mobile.com/PublicSafety.

Coverage not available everywhere & may be impacted by emergencies; check your response area. Video streams in SD. Capable device required for 5G. See T-Mobile.com for devices, coverage, and plan details.

   

By Dale Stockton

Natural disasters can devastate communities, causing life-threatening conditions and dramatically impacting the government agencies that are expected to respond. Whether conducting a rescue or coordinating a large-scale evacuation, communication services are essential. Accordingly, it is critical that first responders have the right partners by their sides, partners who have been tried and tested to deliver on the promise of reliable and trusted communications.

Man-made emergencies and natural disasters are occurring more often than ever before, anywhere and at any time. And as technology has evolved, so has public safety’s dependency on LTE and 5G networks for mission critical services. In line with its demonstrated commitment to public safety, T-Mobile for Government continues to invest heavily in the resources and personnel that support our nation’s heroes – the first responders who protect and serve our communities.

Emergency Response Team

The T-Mobile Emergency Response Team (ERT) is committed to delivering on the promise of trusted, reliable connectivity for our government and critical lifeline partners during all phases of business operations, continuity of government, and emergency response efforts. The ERT is comprised of a national cross-functional team of professionals experienced in multiple aspects of public safety, homeland security, emergency management operations, and mission-based support. The team is available 24/7/365. ERT engages in all phases of the planning, response, and recovery cycle by:

• Integrating into agency-specific planning, drills, and training exercises
• Helping customers identify and implement technology strategies
• Coordinating communication resources for disaster response
• Facilitating situational awareness and information sharing
• Fostering partnerships across government and industry

ERT personnel have helped first responders handle thousands of emergency and non-emergency situations during the last 20 years, providing support for man-made and natural disasters, as well as national special security, field training exercises, and other public-safety driven events. ERT members regularly partner with agencies and provide solutions that help first responders regain control of situations in the field.

Insight from ERT Members

T-Mobile Business Development Manager Rodney Cooper is a long-time member of the ERT. Hecredits his career in the telecommunications industry – with over twenty years’ experience deploying technology, crafting public safety programs, and developing policy - for preparing him for his role on the ERT. “I joined the telecom industry just three months prior to 9/11,” Cooper said. “I immediately found my passion working in the field, helping solve technical challenges for our public safety community. It’s the one area where I knew I could contribute.”

When a derecho (a tornado-like storm that moves in a straight line) struck central Iowa in August 2020, it caused massive devastation and loss of communications due to downed infrastructure. Three community resource centers designed to help recover after major disasters needed connectivity to further their mission of providing resources to residents who had been impacted by the storm. Cooper arranged for a SatCOLT (Cell on Light Truck with a satellite dish built into the vehicle) and several routers to be brought in that would provide LTE connectivity and access to the T-Mobile network.

“We supported those three disaster recovery centers for nearly three weeks and provided the community much-needed connectivity,” said Cooper. “Once people had access to communications, they were able to talk to loved ones, file insurance claims, request assistance from FEMA, request assistance from the state, and do their online banking.”

Casey Muilenburg is the ERT member responsible for FEMA Regions 9 (California, Nevada, and Arizona) and 10 (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho). He’s been an ERT member for more than ten years and holds multiple FEMA and ICS certifications. He’s also a veteran of both the US Marine Corps and the US Air Force.

“We’ve done hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, super bowls, even presidential events. Whether it’s a disaster or something planned, we want to be a company that provides the best communications solutions along with redundant and resilient services to customers nationwide,” Muilenburg said. “And we try to look beyond just the incident and consider other needs like those people at a shelter might have. We want them to be able to look at their phone and see they have T-Mobile service.”

The McKenzie Fire in Oregon burned more than 173,000 acres in September 2020. After an area government agency reached out to T-Mobile requesting internet and cellular service support, Muilenburg worked to deploy a SatCOLT — particularly critical for a nearby medical facility — and coordinated 30 pre-lit devices for a community elementary school. “We set up a cellular bubble, established Wi-Fi, and provided handsets, including many for the medical facility,” Muilenburg said. “Schools were already struggling because of COVID and a local hotel opened its lobby for kids to use the Wi-Fi. The coordination between federal, state, local, and industry was just incredible. It was a powerful example of how we could come together to support the community.”

Muilenburg was also involved in the ERT response to a wildfire that raged across the Lake Tahoe (California) area for more than two months during late 2021, destroying more than 220,000 acres, leveling more than a thousand structures, and decimating the small community of Grizzly Flats. “During a major evacuation, we were supporting the command post and there was an industry call where everyone was made aware of what different teams were doing,” Muilenburg explained. “We adjusted our cell sites to ensure evacuation routes were supported. Everything was moving very fast, so it was a challenge, and collaboration was critical. Again, an incredible example of different levels of government and industry effectively working together.”

Both Muilenburg and Cooper have strong feelings about their ERT responsibilities. “When people can’t communicate, they feel lost. For ERT to come in and provide that temporary solution until the network is back online, it’s a great opportunity to serve,” explained Muilenburg.

“When we talk about the mission of the T-Mobile ERT, that’s what it’s all about – we do what we do, because it’s the right thing to do. It’s simply a duty to our first responders, our communities, and the nation in whole,” Cooper said.

24/7 ERT Hotline: 888-639-0020 and ERTeam@T-Mobile.com

For more information on effective disaster planning strategies for public safety, check out the T-Mobile Emergency Response Team eBook.

You can also learn more about how T-Mobile is helping public safety agencies improve operational effectiveness and the T-Mobile Connecting Heroes program designed just for first responders by visiting T-Mobile.com/PublicSafety.

About the Author

Dale Stockton is a 32-year-veteran of law enforcement, having worked in all areas of police operations and retiring as a police captain from Carlsbad, California. He taught criminal justice classes for more than 20 years and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Law Officer Magazine and LawOfficer.com. Stockton is the founder of Below 100, an award-winning officer-safety initiative designed to reduce police line-of-duty deaths and has been involved in the presentation of the program across North America. Stockton is an accomplished technology practitioner and has managed major technology projects for public safety including personnel-locate devices, license plate recognition systems, and regional deployment of smartphones. 

By Dale Stockton

Every year in May, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Technology Conference brings together public safety tech practitioners from across the country. This year, IACP Tech was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from May 24 through May 26. Attendance was approximately one thousand and the show provided a great mix of vendors with the latest tech innovations and workshops that clearly demonstrated the value of tech as a force multiplier.

T-Mobile for Government was at the IACP Tech Conference and had a continual level of engagement with attendees. Many were interested in finding out more about the Connecting Heroes^® program, a private-public partnership that is a ten-year commitment by T-Mobile to supply free, subsidized, and low-cost smartphone connectivity and technology assistance to state and local first responder agencies. Connecting Heroes has allowed many organizations to cost-effectively achieve full smartphone deployment to their sworn personnel.

Joining T-Mobile at IACP Tech were two valued partners, Blueforce Development and Visual Labs. Mike Helfrich, the CEO for Blueforce, demonstrated the MOBILE Command Post in a Box that’s powered by T-Mobile. The unit is person-portable and is a turnkey solution that provides comms, sensor fusion, and a distributed common operating picture. It’s a powerful way to dramatically improve situational awareness during field operations. Mike was also a presenter in two workshops (see below).

Visual Labs is an innovative organization known as the “body camera company that doesn’t make body cameras.” Visual Labs is actually a software company that has developed an effective way of using a smartphone as a body-worn camera, most often carried in a chest mount so that officers can operate hands-free. The smartphone remains fully capable of performing its traditional functions, providing incredible value and utility for agencies. Officer safety is improved by providing geolocation at an officer level. Bill Burleson, law enforcement liaison for Visual Labs provided demos and also participated in one of the workshops (see below).

Workshops at IACP Technology Conference

One of the benefits of attending IACP Tech is that there are always practitioner-focused workshops that provide insight to the many ways that agencies are effectively harnessing mobile technology. T-Mobile had a role in three of the workshops this year:

Improving Efficiency and Community Engagement by Going Mobile

This workshop was presented by Major Eric Schmitz of the Lenexa, Kansas Police Department. He demonstrated the benefits of issuing smartphones to all personnel and the synergy realized through effective integration with existing systems. The result is a connected officer with ready access to mission-essential information regardless of assignment. Using complementary technologies and applications as force multipliers, the smartphones are CAD-enabled, CJIS-compliant, and used for gathering evidence, managing body-worn cameras, and accessing CCTV devices and live drone feeds. The focus was on lessons learned and best practices. (Lenexa PD was also highlighted in a recent IPSA Webinar, A mobility-first approach provides powerful capabilities. An in-depth look at one agency’s operation.)

A Look at What 5G Means for Public Safety

Wireless connectivity facilitates real-time, effective communication and 5G is already opening new opportunities. Officer safety and effectiveness depend on fast, uninterrupted access to critical applications and data no matter the assignment -whether drone operation, tactical response, or search and rescue. 5G provides significantly improved data transfer speed and lower latency, delivering high volumes of data in near real-time and significantly improving situational awareness. Operational concepts like cross-sensor cueing and integration will be explained, and real use cases will be shared. Presenters for this workshop were John Mittmann, IT Manager, Post Falls, Idaho Police Department; Michael Helfrich, CEO, Blueforce Development; and Chief (ret) David Brown, Public Safety Advisor for T-Mobile.

Going Mobile – Insight to Emerging Trends from Solution Providers

Smartphones can serve as an effective force-multiplier, especially when paired with powerful applications that improve field capabilities and situational awareness. This workshop featured four representatives of proven mobile solution providers who presented powerful use cases and insight to emerging trends. Topics included smartphones replacing in-car computers, smartphones as body-worn cameras, a compact mobile command post, and ways to cost-effectively implement a mobile program. Presenters included Keith Redlin, Public Sector Innovation Leader for Samsung Electronics America; Bill Burleson, Law Enforcement Liaison, Visual Labs, Inc.; Michael Helfrich, CEO, Blueforce Development; and Assistant Chief (ret) Eric Olsen, Public Safety Advisor for T-Mobile.

T-Mobile for Government at Fire Department Instructors Conference

A month before the IACP Tech Conference, T-Mobile was at the Fire Department Instructors Conference, one of the world’s largest public safety tradeshows. Members of the T-Mobile Emergency Response Team were there, along with their ruggedized Jeep SAT COLT that has responded to dozens of major disasters. Blueforce Development provided demonstrations and another partner, Longan Vision, showcased its incredible helmet-mounted smart visor that uses augmenting reality to provide enhanced vision and information sharing abilities, allowing firefighters to see through smoke, locate victims, and find fire sources.

T-Mobile for Government understands the importance of public safety operations and is absolutely committed to working with its partners to improve operational effectiveness and safety for first responders. Check them out at the following upcoming conferences: National Sheriff’s Association in Kansas City, FBI National Academy Associates in Cleveland, Association of Public Safety Communication Officials in Anaheim, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Dallas. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/PublicSafety.

By Dale Stockton

Law enforcement agencies are increasingly embracing the concept of connected officers, made possible by smartphone technology and powerful mobile applications. With full deployment of smartphones to field personnel, agencies can effectively expand capabilities and provide officers with ready access to mission-critical voice and data, regardless of their assignment or proximity to a patrol vehicle.  

Although the sheer utility of smartphones can provide immediate operational benefits, most agencies have limited budgets and for some, it may be difficult to allocate funding for a mobile program. Recognizing this challenge, Mike Sievert, the CEO of T-Mobile, announced in 2020 the launch of an ambitious and unparalleled public-private partnership known as Connecting Heroes. The program is a ten-year commitment by T-Mobile to supply free, subsidized, and low-cost smartphone connectivity and technology assistance to state and local first responder agencies. This has allowed many agencies to cost-effectively achieve full smartphone deployment to their sworn personnel. Following is an example of one department’s experience.

Livingston County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office

Livingston County is a rural county in northwestern Missouri with a population of approximately 15,000 and covering an area of about 540 square miles. Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox is a lifelong resident of the county and has served in law enforcement for 35 years. He oversees an agency with ten authorized deputy positions, three of which are currently vacant. With this level of staffing, Cox, who was elected sheriff in 2001, is frequently in the field serving papers or performing bailiff duties at the court.

Cox said his agency deployed smartphones as a result of starting a body-worn camera program. While at a conference, Cox heard about Visual Labs, a software company that turns a smartphone into an effective body-worn camera (BWC). Cox was intrigued and learned the company had partnered with T-Mobile to provide a cost-effective BWC solution using a smartphone that was part of the Connecting Heroes program.

“I couldn’t believe the price of it,” Cox said, “and I wanted to make sure it would fit our needs. Two deputies did some field testing with the Visual Labs unit and a body-worn camera from another vendor that had all the ‘bells and whistles.’

”The deputies preferred Visual Labs for the quality and the ease of use,” Cox said. “We talked to the county commission about funding the project and we got some help from some nice people, plus, Visual Labs worked with us to make it happen.”

Cox said the reps from T-Mobile and Visual Labs helped bring everything together, and the smartphones – Samsung A52’s with Visual Labs software - were rolled out in August of 2021. “I think it’s awesome that they can partner together,” he said. “I can’t say enough good things about them. Our whole department is happy.”

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) now has several months’ experience with using a smartphone as a chest-mounted BWC and the system has been well received by the deputies and the courts. Deputies can quickly categorize incidents and easily locate relevant video evidence.

“I’ve been in court when officers from another agency have had difficulty locating video that’s needed in a case. It doesn’t sit well with the jury,” Cox said. “With our system [Visual Labs], I’ve actually had defense attorneys compliment our deputies and their presentation of evidence. It’s so easy to use and sharing with the prosecutors is very straightforward.”

LCSO has realized so much operational benefit from the rollout of smartphones equipped as BWCs, the agency is planning to add in-car video cameras using Visual Labs. “They have a great system that provides two-camera capability [front-facing and rear-seat coverage]. It will feed to the same cloud system that the body-worn cameras utilize and that the deputies use to send videos to the prosecutor’s office,” Cox said. “And it’s really cost effective. Honestly, I don’t know why everyone in the state doesn’t have this.”

Equipping deputies with smartphones has significantly improved his agency’s engagement with the citizens of Livingston County, according to Cox. “Deputies regularly reach out to witnesses or victims using their smartphones for follow-up, and it saves a lot of time,” he said. “And we’ve found that people are much more likely to answer because the number isn’t blocked [i.e., deputies are not calling from the law enforcement center].”

Reasons for going mobile

Smartphones provide a high level of utility to field officers, saving time and facilitating quick communications. Tasks like contacting the parents of a runaway juvenile or checking space availability at a homeless shelter can be accomplished quickly, rather than tying up radio time and going through a dispatcher. A picture of a wanted subject or missing child can be distributed immediately among officers and a photo is significantly more effective than a description broadcast over the radio. Smartphones can also be used to gather photo or video evidence, enable report dictation, support e-citations, manage body-worn cameras, and remotely access agency-controlled CCTV devices. In short, the smartphone can effectively replace many single-purpose devices and provide officers with capabilities and information access they would not otherwise have.

Agency-owned over BYOD

Some agencies have allowed or encouraged their officers to use their personal smartphones for work purposes, but this approach is not ideal in law enforcement. Questions quickly arise regarding evidence and privacy. And if an agency plans to let officers use their own smartphones to search criminal justice databases, additional measures must be taken to achieve compliance with the security policy of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division, as well as the rules set by the relevant state’s CJIS Systems Agency. In fact, CJIS policy discourages agencies from relying on a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) approach, citing the costly compensating controls and the imposition of security restrictions on private devices (CJIS Policy Appendix G4).

Deploying smartphones to field personnel offers clear operational benefits, but many agency leaders assume that agency-wide deployment would be cost-prohibitive, partly due to the ongoing wireless service fees (often cited as the reason for choosing BYOD). Now, agency leaders have reason to reevaluate their position and run the numbers. With a free wireless service option and substantial savings on a wide range of devices, the Connecting Heroes program, which applies only to department-owned devices, helps to overcome budget challenges and presents a new opportunity for agencies to gain connected-officer capability.

If you would like to learn more about how other departments are using the smartphone as an effective force-multiplier, check out Connecting Law Enforcement, a case study of five agencies using the T-Mobile Connecting Heroes program. To find out more about emerging technologies that will leverage 5G wireless service to improve future public safety effectiveness, take a look at Transforming Public Safety with Wireless Technology. For more information on Visual Labs and how they’re working with T-Mobile to deliver body-worn camera functionality, check out the recent IPSA webinar, How Mobile Technology is Transforming Law Enforcement Operations.

About the Author

Dale Stockton is a 32-year-veteran of law enforcement, having worked in all areas of police operations and retiring as a police captain from Carlsbad, California. He taught criminal justice classes for more than 20 years and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Law Officer Magazine and LawOfficer.com. Stockton is the founder of Below 100, an award-winning officer-safety initiative designed to reduce police line-of-duty deaths and has been involved in the presentation of the program across North America. Stockton is an accomplished technology practitioner and has managed major technology projects for public safety including personnel-locate devices, license plate recognition systems, and regional deployment of smartphones.

By Dale Stockton

Ask any law enforcement leader to prioritize his or her responsibilities and it's virtually certain that officer safety and wellness will be at or near the top of the list. When an officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, there is tremendous impact on the agency. And when an officer is lost to suicide, it’s devastating to the organization and lives are forever changed. Regardless of the cause, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences are incalculable. There is growing realization that leaders have an affirmative responsibility to equip and train their personnel to emotionally cope with the challenges of a job that society continues to redefine. Accordingly, command staff personnel around the country are taking steps to address this issue and, for many, smartphones are emerging as a powerful tool to improve both officer safety and officer wellness.

Officer safety benefits of smartphones

Smartphones provide incredible utility to field personnel, empowering them with real-time access to mission-critical and mission-essential information. Officers sometimes live or die based on the quality and timeliness of information, and smartphones ensure that all field personnel can be more situationally aware, regardless of their assignment or proximity to a patrol vehicle. Smartphones can provide geo-location at a person level, which can prove critical in foot pursuits or situations where an officer may be unable to communicate, and they can serve as a backup communication device to conventional radio systems. 

Officer wellness and the role of smartphones

Although officer safety has long been recognized as a basic tenet of the profession, the concept of officer wellness is relatively new, and is an effort to address the cumulative stress borne by those who stand in the gap for society. Unlike many professions, people coming into law enforcement commonly go through extensive screening, including physical exams, psychological testing, and in-depth background investigations. As a result, those entering police work generally exhibit a high level of resiliency. Nonetheless, the toll of ongoing exposure to physical and emotional trauma can prove overwhelming to many, resulting in career burnout, chemical dependency, and even suicide.  

As agency leaders seek solutions, smartphones are proving to be a valuable tool by providing 24/7 access to helpful resources. The traditional approach for many agencies has long been to have some form of peer support, a system that relies on officers seeking help from other officers. Although this can be effective, it often falls short. There are several reasons for this, including limited resources, insufficient training, and an understandable reticence to seek help from a coworker. Smartphones are providing a powerful option.

Dr. David Black is a psychologist who has worked with law enforcement for twenty years and is a widely recognized expert on officer wellness. He is the founder of Cordico, which developed a mobile app now being used by hundreds of police, fire, and EMS agencies across the country. Cordico allows first responders to use a smartphone to access resources that support mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Black readily acknowledges that the ubiquity and utility of smartphones have played a key role in providing this powerful wellness tool to first responders.

“Mobile is great because you have it with you all the time and it’s allowed us to take all things needed for wellness, put it in their hands, and they can get to it 24/7,” said Black. “All these resources that were so difficult to access – a vetted therapist or a dedicated chaplain, or how to save your marriage - we’ve taken all of that and put it directly into the hands of first responders.”

Black says that first responder wellness is an issue that every agency faces. “These people come in tough and ready to serve, they’re physically fit. Then we see them subjected to the stressors of the job and it just compounds. This [officer wellness] is important – it’s about the preservation of life.”

Officer health: Smartphones can help  

In addition to specialized applications like Cordico, smartphones provide officers with access to apps that can facilitate a healthier approach to life – both on the job and off. Many officers now use their smartphones to keep track of their daily steps, sometimes even comparing them with co-workers and working towards an activity goal that will ensure a baseline level of activity. Other apps can assist with getting sufficient rest, providing nutritional guidance (even tracking food intake), or suggesting the best alternative when choosing a fast-food menu item on the graveyard shift. Speaking of the graveyard shift, smartphones can be used to alert the user to a prolonged period of inactivity – such as sitting in a car for extended periods – and encourage a stretch or activity break.  

T-Mobile’s commitment to public safety

In May 2020, Mike Sievert, the CEO of T-Mobile, announced the launch of Connecting Heroes, an ambitious and unparalleled ten-year commitment to a public-private partnership that supplies free, subsidized, and low-cost smartphone connectivity and technology assistance to state and local first responders. Continuing that commitment to public safety, T-Mobile for Government proudly sponsored the IPSA webinar, Why Command Staff Needs to Prioritize Officer Safety and Wellness, presented by Nicholas Grego, the author of many wellness articles and the president and founder of C3 Education and Research, Inc. Everyone can view the recording here.

About the Author

Dale Stockton is a 32-year-veteran of law enforcement, having worked in all areas of police operations and retiring as a police captain from Carlsbad, California. He taught criminal justice classes for more than 20 years and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Law Officer Magazine and LawOfficer.com. Stockton is the founder of Below 100, an award-winning officer-safety initiative designed to reduce police line-of-duty deaths and has been involved in the presentation of the program across North America. Stockton is an accomplished technology practitioner and has managed major technology projects for public safety including personnel-locate devices, license plate recognition systems, and regional deployment of smartphones. 

Related Content

Why Command Staff Needs to Prioritize Officer Safety and Wellness

By Dale Stockton

Wireless connectivity facilitates fast, effective communication and 5G is where mobile networks are headed next. Few technologies have received as much attention as 5G, but we are just beginning to realize the ways that public safety is likely to benefit. Officer safety and effectiveness depend on fast, uninterrupted access to critical applications and data no matter the assignment, whether it’s a rapidly evolving tactical situation or a search and rescue operation during a natural disaster. With 5G, data transfer rates will significantly increase, and latency will be substantially reduced. This means high volumes of data can be delivered in near real-time and overall situational awareness will be expanded and improved significantly.

Some examples of areas that are likely to utilize 5G include real-time video feeds for evolving critical incidents, facilitated emergency response based on timely assessment of vehicle location and routing (green wave), and live-streamed, on-demand, body-worn camera feeds during an emergency. Expansive single-pane-of-glass command centers will be able to display levels and quality of information that dramatically improve decision making.

Making a difference with sensors

Another area where 5G has great potential is in sensor utilization, and there is a unique aspect that merits consideration for public safety tech planners, especially within the context of smart cities. Orthogonal sensor cueing refers to a situation where one sensor tells a second sensor to execute an action or initiate a process. Conventional 4G transmissions can introduce a degree of latency during which a situation could change and make the action of the second sensor inconsequential. Imagine a ground sensor that detects vibration and notifies a pan/tilt/zoom camera to move to the affected area. With low-latency 5G, the subject is captured on video in near real-time and the image can be immediately reviewed (by a human or AI-assisted video analysis) for criteria such as carrying an object or being armed with a long gun. In this example, any significant degree of latency could result in missing potentially critical information. Suffice it to say that 5G will allow for a much wider deployment of integrated and intelligent sensor networks that will help public safety professionals operate proactively and mitigate risk.

Important considerations regarding 5G  

As public safety agencies consider the wide array of potential use cases, it’s instructive to understand the different frequency bands that comprise 5G. There are three general bands of 5G frequency - low, mid, and high. Unless you’re a communications engineer, this is an area that can be confusing and it’s important to not focus solely on the incredible data transfer rates made possible by the high-band frequencies of millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmissions. Although mmWave can deliver incredible speeds, it has limitations. It does not effectively penetrate structures or other physical objects such as glass or even trees, and it has very limited range. This means that the use of mmWave technology is most appropriate for situations like a large stadium where the density of mobile devices is extremely high or on an open street corner with very heavy pedestrian traffic.  

At the other end of the 5G spectrum is low-band, also commonly known as the “coverage layer” because it is used to deploy substantial 5G coverage effectively across large areas. This is the approach used by T-Mobile to leverage the 600MHz spectrum nationwide and has resulted in the nation’s largest 5G network. A low-band cell site can cover hundreds of square miles. It’s also very effective at passing through buildings and is a practical and effective way to provide solid coverage to rural areas that previously lacked effective broadband coverage. Critical incidents can happen anywhere, including small rural communities. T-Mobile’s rollout of 5G to these underserved areas is commendable and will allow many agencies to effectively leverage cellular technology to improve operational capabilities.

In between the high and low-band layers is, not surprisingly, the mid-band spectrum and it delivers long range for broad coverage. Mid-band offers a balance of speed, capacity, coverage, and penetration that’s especially suited for densely populated urban areas where connectivity demand is high. This is why mid-band has often been called the “sweet spot” spectrum and it is especially well suited for many public safety operations.

T-Mobile’s high-capacity wireless network utilizes both mid-band 2.5 GHz and low-band 600 MHz frequencies to deliver broad reach with signals that can penetrate structures and provide data transfer rates that are substantially faster than 4G networks. The vast amount of spectrum and wider set of spectrum bands available to be stacked together are unique to 5G, allowing network flexibility and effective functionality in a variety of operational environments.

The largest network advantage

After the recent merger with Sprint, T-Mobile has a great variety of spectrum across all three bands, with significant holdings in the low- and mid-bands needed to deliver 5G far and wide. These are the same 5G bands that will be most beneficial to public safety. The potential is clear: first responder agencies will have the opportunity to expand operational capabilities and improve overall information access and exchange. Although it won’t occur overnight, many areas of public safety will be impacted in a positive way and it’s likely that 5G will be transformational, with new capabilities emerging as agencies begin to leverage opportunities made possible by this new generation of wireless networks.

You can learn more about how public safety agencies are improving operational effectiveness and the T-Mobile Connecting Heroes program designed just for first responders by visiting the T-Mobile for Government web site.

About the Author

Dale Stockton is a 32-year-veteran of law enforcement, having worked in all areas of police operations and retiring as a police captain from Carlsbad, California. He taught criminal justice classes for more than 20 years and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Law Officer Magazine and LawOfficer.com. Stockton is the founder of Below 100, an award-winning officer-safety initiative designed to reduce police line-of-duty deaths and has been involved in the presentation of the program across North America. Stockton is an accomplished technology practitioner and has managed major technology projects for public safety including personnel-locate devices, license plate recognition systems, and regional deployment of smartphones.