The Department of Public Safety recently recognized Beltrami County in its recent blog post touting FirstNet, a non-commercial network that allows emergency communication in even the most remote areas.
Nearly all of the state is covered by the FirstNet network through 800 sites, and it proved itself useful during the spring flooding.
Last spring, Beltrami County borrowed a MegaGo kit from DPS, which is described as a “network booster on steroids,” which resulted in connectivity about 6 to 10 times more powerful than a commercial network through the use of high-powered antennas, providing connection where no “bars” are available.
“FirstNet is the National Public Safety Broadband Network recognized by Governor Dayton in Oct. 2017. The network is there to be used, and provides benefits like priority, pre-emption, and high-powered equipment,” said Melinda Miller, DPS-ECN wireless broadband program manager.
“The damage assessments happening in Beltrami County are a demonstration of the usefulness of the network.”
The FCC estimates nearly 10,000 lives could be saved nationwide if public safety workers could reach callers one minute faster.
