Now that all 50 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories have opted in to FirstNet as a communication provider for emergency responders, they are already looking to access FirstNet related services through AT&T. The FireRescue GPO cooperative contract allows early access to FirstNet services and is a quick and efficient way to reap the benefits of states that opted in.  Being able to access these services through a publicly awarded contract with FirstNet saves time and money for everyone involved.

FirstNet is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce authorized by Congress in 2012. Its mission is to develop, build and operate the first nationwide high-speed broadband network dedicated to public safety assisting first responders in their mission to save lives and protect U.S. communities. FirstNet is a service provider tailored specifically for fire chiefs and the fire service because it was designed and curated by those involved in the firefighting world. Having a communication system that is efficient, tough and useful for firefighting allows for a higher level of public safety and improves response time to emergencies. 

Procurement policy often dictates that these services be procured through a public solicitation process. A common option exercised by public procurement officials to expedite this process is the use of cooperative contracts that have already been established through a process similar to their own. Fortunately, the fire service already has such a contract in place through their very own co-op – the FireRescue GPO, a program of NPPGov (a national cooperative procurement organization).

To learn more about FirstNet, visit www.firstnet.gov. 

For more information about NPPGov and the AT&T / FirstNet cooperative contract, visit www.nppgov.com or https://nppgov.com/contract/att-cru. 


Doug Schrage, President
Western Fire Chiefs Association
Board of Directors