Public Safety First, a FirstNet Authority Podcast

Hosted by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook

Episodes

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

About the show

The “Public Safety First” podcast gives first responders and other public safety professionals a front-row seat and invites them to join the discussion about FirstNet, America’s first nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety. Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 19, 202625 min

Episode 99: From Classroom to Command Post: Training the Next Generation of EMS Leaders at IU

Senior Public Safety Advisor Charles Hardnett is joined by Dr. David Rodgers and Adhitya Balaji to discuss how Indiana University’s Intra-Collegiate Emergency Medical Service prepared for historic attendance levels during the 2025-2026 football season. Learn more about how Indiana University partnered with FirstNet Authority to improve coverage during events and optimize existing technology.

July 8, 202625 min

Episode 98 - Live at 5x5: Using broadband LTE to augment LMR

Episode 98 - Live at 5x5: Using broadband LTE to augment LMR by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

April 16, 202615 min

Episode 97: At Its Core: ECC

Episode 97: At Its Core: ECC by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

April 2, 202624 min

Episode 96 Live at 5x5: Tribal Nations, Public Safety Operations, and FirstNet

Episode 96 Live at 5x5: Tribal Nations, Public Safety Operations, and FirstNet by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

March 12, 202613 min

Episode 95: Live at 5x5: The Space Race Continues

Episode 95: Live at 5x5: The Space Race Continues by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

February 11, 202613 min

Emergency Management Teamwork

Emergency Management Teamwork by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority’s Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

September 18, 202523 min

Episode 93: Live at 5x5: Navigating a Hurricane

In October of 2024, the North Carolina 911 Board deployed the FirstNet Wireless Redundant Solution to a public safety answering point (PSAP) whose infrastructure was obliterated by Hurricane Helene. The PSAP received and processed 911 calls for one month using FirstNet connectivity. Renee Gordon, Pokey Harris, Tom Rogers, and Josh Briggs share best practices and lessons learned from rolling out this solution across North Carolina, live at 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit. Renee Gordon, FirstNet Authority Acting Board Chair Pokey Harris, Executive Director, North Carolina 911 Board Tom Rogers, Network Engineer and Program Manager, North Carolina 911 Board Josh Briggs, North Carolina Next Generation 911 Program Manager, AT&T Consulting

September 4, 202512 min

Episode 92: At Its Core: Network Experience Engagement Program

Public Affairs Specialist Molly Hahn joins FirstNet Authority Public Safety Advisor Doug Harder to delve into the Network Experience Engagement Program (NEEP). Explore how the FirstNet Authority’s NEEP helps agencies operationalize FirstNet with pre-incident and event planning, post-incident and event reviews, and exercise planning. Molly Hahn, FirstNet Authority Public Affairs Specialist Doug Harder, FirstNet Authority Senior Public Safety Advisor

August 12, 202515 min

Episode 91: At Its Core: Mission Critical Push-to-Talk

Public Affairs Specialist Molly Hahn joins FirstNet Authority Senior Device Engineer Barry Leitch to understand the basics of Mission Critical Push-to-Talk and its capabilities. Learn how this technology enables instant, reliable communication for public safety— helping teams coordinate in real time, stay connected during emergencies, and enhance operational safety.

July 17, 202513 min

Episode 90: At Its Core: Standards

Public Affairs Specialist Molly Hahn sits down with Acting Director of Ecosystems and Standards Engagement Division Mark Lipford to discuss standards and the FirstNet Authority’s role in standards work worldwide. Learn about how standards are developed and how they impact public safety’s use of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. Molly Hahn, FirstNet Authority Public Affairs Specialist Mark Lipford, FirstNet Authority Senior Standards Engineer