At just over 3,000 square miles, Elmore County is one of the largest in Idaho, but also one of the most remote, meaning radio and wireless communication can sometimes be a struggle.
To improve public safety communications, the county has partnered with a first responder-specific network, called FirstNet. "In rural communities it's hard," Sheriff Mike Hollinshead said. "In rural communities you have mountains and terrains, you have to put up antennas and all that for your portable radios."
According to Hollinshead, the partnership with FirstNet and AT&T will alleviate those communication issues.
"Everyone has one of these devices, we live and breath by them - a regular phone," he said. "And that's what FirstNet is all about."
FirstNet - short for First Responder Network Authority - is a nationwide wireless network developed for first responders. It was born out of the failures in communications during the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.