The City of Chula Vista is connecting firefighters, police and public works departments to FirstNet®, Built with AT&T – the only network built with and for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. This advancement equips Chula Vista first responders with new technological capabilities and reliable access to critical information in the field. And it allows them to better serve their community.

The power of interoperable communications

FirstNet is delivering interoperable communications across public safety entities nationwide, allowing first responders to communicate with one another easily and quickly during everyday situations, big events and emergencies. This is integral to solving the communications challenges public safety has experienced in the past.

The Chula Vista police, fire and public works departments are using FirstNet on department issued phones, tablets, MiFi devices, routers and in-vehicle equipment to stay better connected throughout emergency response efforts. The city also enhanced coverage in key buildings across the city with Cell Booster Pros — provided by FirstNet at no additional cost for better in-building connectivity.

“Our main job will always be to serve our community,” said Roxana Kennedy, Chief of Police, Chula Vista Police Department. “With FirstNet, we are taking the next step forward for emergency response, allowing us to better help our community and create a safer environment. Whether we are deployed to events or responding to daily calls, FirstNet allows us to have the priority and preemption that keeps our officers better connected and our communities safer."

Advanced capabilities for first responders

The City of Chula Vista joined FirstNet to provide public safety access to an entire public safety ecosystem of mission-ready tools and capabilities, including:

• Always-on priority and preemption for first responders – to give them reliable access to the connectivity they need and protect them from network congestion.

• A separate, dedicated and highly secure network core, purpose-built for public safety’s sensitive communications.

• Innovative tools – public safety-centric innovative applications, mission-critical solutions and connected devices – to give first responders more actionable information and heightened situational awareness.

• A dedicated fleet of 180+ deployable network assets public safety agencies can call upon for additional connectivity at no extra charge during remote situations, planned events or urgent crises — a unique benefit to the industry. 

• Access to holistic public safety health and wellness tools and resources, like ROG the Dog, that go beyond network connectivity— all powered by the FirstNet Health & Wellness Coalition, which represents more than 5.1 million first responders.

A partnership dedicated to public safety excellence

“We’re honored that the Chula Vista chose FirstNet to improve its communications technology and connectivity,” said Christine Moore, Director of External Affairs, AT&T. “As public safety’s partner, we believe it is our mission to give public safety the cutting-edge tools they need to keep our communities safe. FirstNet will help the public safety community in California and across the country perform at the highest levels to keep themselves and those they serve out of harm’s way.”

FirstNet is the only broadband network built for public safety, by public safety

“FirstNet is the only broadband network built for public safety, by public safety,” said Jeff Bratcher, Deputy Executive Director, First Responder Network Authority. “We look forward to working with the City of Chula Vista to make sure FirstNet continues to deliver the coverage and innovation they need to serve their community and help save lives.”

Investing in the future of public safety

As America’s public safety communication partner, AT&T is expanding and enhancing FirstNet to give the public safety community better access to their network. Setting the stage for first responder innovation over the next 10 years, the FirstNet Authority announced a series of strategic investments totaling more than $8 billion into FirstNet. The latest network investment of $6.3 billion will enable AT&T to deliver a standalone FirstNet 5G core, provide always-on priority and, for first responders, preemption capabilities, across all AT&T 5G commercial spectrum bands and build 1,000 new FirstNet sites across the country over the next two years.  

• In California, FirstNet is connecting public safety agencies and organizations in nearly 580 cities across the state, including Chula Vista, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and San Diego.  

• AT&T has rolled out Band 14 on nearly 6,000 sites across California to provide public safety with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it.