Agenda

Need the big picture? See our three-day overview.

  • Tuesday, Jun 25
  • Wednesday, Jun 26
  • Thursday, Jun 27

Tuesday, Jun 25

9:00 am - 10:30 am Day 1: Welcome and Morning Keynotes

City Welcome

International Ballroom

Tue 9:00 am - 10:30 am

Color Guard

International Ballroom

Tue 9:00 am - 10:30 am

Keynote from Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell

International Ballroom

Tue 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Keynote

Keynote from Joe Wassel

International Ballroom

Tue 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Keynote

10:45 am - 12:00 pm Day 1: Morning Plenary

Taking Flight: PSCR’s PULSE Accelerator Pitch Session

International Ballroom

In this Shark Tank style session, innovator teams from the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Pulse Accelerator program will present their investor pitches on the use of drones for public safety applications to a diverse panel of judges for feedback. This intensive business accelerator program was designed to provide business assistance to eight small businesses focused on Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) technologies for first responders. It highlights the importance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) PSCR’s efforts to push innovation forward through commercialization. Learn more about PULSE Accelerator.

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Tue 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Open Innovation and Commercialization, Plenary, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

1:30 pm - 2:20 pm Day 1: Breakout Sessions A

Blueprints for Tomorrow’s Network: Strategies to Plan for the Future of MCV

Ambassador Room

This deep-dive discussion will focus on network planning for the next phase of Mission Critical Voice (MCV), a high-priority outcome from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division MCV Virtual Roundtable. Facilitators from NIST PSCR’s MCV Team will moderate a discussion to gather additional information to understand both how and what public safety identifies as the next steps in their network planning and implementation.

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Tue 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

LBS at PSCR: A look at PSCR’s Internal Efforts to Advance LBS for Public Safety

Gold Room

Come listen to brief summaries and updates on three different areas of research being conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR)within the Location-Based Services (LBS) Portfolio. Topic areas include cooperative localization, indoor localization ground truth systems, and indoor mapping. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with our experts during the Q&A — it’s your chance to spark a conversation and uncover insights into the future of localization and mapping!

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Tue 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Breakout Session, Location Services and Situational Awareness

Livestreaming Body Worn Cameras Improve Officer and Community Safety

Millenium Room

The use of livestreaming body worn cameras has already shown success for public safety. Supervisors can see what is happening before they arrive on the scene and more effectively deploy their teams based on accurate real-time insights. Some agencies are using livestreaming on every call and have found their teams are more productive with dispatch serving as another set of eyes in trying scenarios. Join this session for a walk-through of real scenarios where the live-streaming video has made the difference for agencies. We will learn how active use has earned the support for this technology from officers in the field and built trust with communities. Come discuss with other leaders how they have implemented this tool; how this has helped them to improve officer and community safety; and other ideas for how agencies can take advantage of this valuable capability.

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Tue 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Breakout Session, Location Services and Situational Awareness

Measuring the User Experience for Public Safety Technology

State Room

In this session, leaders from NIST PSCR’s UI/UX portfolio will discuss current approaches to measuring user experience, the science behind these methods, and the role of the designer in a user’s behavior. Public safety technologies — whether for immediate risks or for training — demand higher reliability and accuracy in user experience. The measurement methods and design features implemented by researchers, engineers, and interface designers predictably affect users. We will discuss when measurement matters and the responsibility with which technology designers are entrusted. This session includes examples of research approaches and suggested references for those incorporating measurement science into their user experience design.

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Tue 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Breakout Session, User Interface / User Experience

The Cellular Space Race: What does it mean for Public Safety?

International Ballroom

The space race may have ended in 1975, but it is just starting in the cellular world in the form of a new and promising technology — satellite-to-device services. Come join us to discuss what this could mean for public safety, what is happening in this space, what the various players are saying, and where FirstNet fits in all of this.

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Tue 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Breakout Session, Network Services and Coverage

2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Day 1: Breakout Sessions B

Finding a Way: NEVERLOST Wearable Tech, a Prototype for Uncharted Emergency Response

Millenium Room

NEVERLOST stands for Navigation Environment merging Virtuality, Ecotone, and Reality enabled by microtechnology for Localization of Subjects and Things. This session discusses a University of California Irvine (UC Irvine) project that investigates a technological framework for location-based services. The aim of the project is to develop a prototype of wearable technology to localize emergency responders, assets and equipment, and other people (e.g., patients and trapped persons) indoors and in covered outdoor environments, where the environment is not known and where Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are not available. In addition to localization technology, UC Irvine is developing a location-based service providing path planning and guidance for emergency responders to make immediate local decisions which would guarantee arrival to a desirable destination (e.g., exit from a building) in a completely unknown and unstructured environment. UC Irvine will discuss how localization, path planning, and guidance capabilities will form a unique navigation environment for first responders.

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Tue 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm
Breakout Session, Location Services and Situational Awareness

FirstNet in Kansas

State Room

Kansas, an early adopter of Next Generation 9-1-1 and FirstNet, has upgraded its emergency communication infrastructure by transitioning to a digital framework and leveraging public safety broadband. This session explores the Kansas 9-1-1 Coordinating Council’s innovative initiatives, using FirstNet as a failover for statewide redundancy, a mobile command vehicle used statewide for training and dispatching, and the statewide deployment of the new Lightning app. Lightning provides all responders with a common operating picture of location accuracy, situational awareness, and call/incident details. Come learn how these innovative approaches put Kansas’ first responders at the forefront of technological advancements for enhanced public safety response.

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Tue 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

Harmonizing Heroes: Clarifying Quality of Experience for First Responder Communications

Gold Room

Join us for a panel discussion about the importance of high-quality mission critical voice solutions in improving public safety's accuracy and efficiency. We will hear input from NIST PSCR's Mission Critical Voice team, as well as collaborators from industry and academia.

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Tue 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

HERstory: The women architecting global public safety communications

International Ballroom

5x5 brings together female leaders from around the world to share their stories from the front lines of public safety communication advancements. The panelists will share challenges, successes, and learnings from pursuing their respective nation’s visions for first responder networks. Learn the value that comes from expanding the diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, and perspectives in the global mission critical arena.

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Tue 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm
Breakout Session, Network Services and Coverage

Modernization of Public Safety ICAM

Ambassador Room

This campfire session aims to foster a discussion into the implementation of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security policy requirements version 5.9.2 and 5.9.3, focusing on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Attributes for authentication and access control. We will talk about real-world examples of how these requirements are being implemented around the country, including current challenges and potential solutions.

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Tue 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm
Breakout Session, Secure Information Exchange

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Day 1: Technology Demonstrations

No workshops in this session.

Wednesday, Jun 26

8:00 am - 8:45 am Day 2: Morning Technology Demonstrations

No workshops in this session.

9:00 am - 9:55 am Day 2: Welcome and Morning Keynotes

From Chaos to Coordination: Harnessing Innovation in Emergency Response: Keynote from Lt. Jermaine Harris

International Ballroom

Join Lieutenant Jermaine Harris of Chicago Police Department for his keynote address about innovating in crisis, drawing from his personal experiences during the civil unrest of the COVID-19 era. Through a compelling narrative, Lt. Harris will share an example of how technological advancements in communications were instrumental in managing emergency situations, including adapting to transportation disruptions and ensuring effective emergency medical response. By highlighting the role of innovation and resourcefulness in navigating these tumultuous times, Lt. Harris will emphasize the importance of leveraging technology to overcome challenges and drive resilience in the face of crisis.

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Wed 9:00 am - 9:55 am
Keynote

This is the Way: Keynote from Dereck Orr

International Ballroom

Join NIST PSCR Division Chief Dereck Orr for his compelling keynote on the critical intersection of public safety and innovation. From acknowledging the sacrifices of our first responders to showcasing groundbreaking projects from NIST PSCR, he'll explore how collaboration and cutting-edge technology can revolutionize communications for those who protect and serve. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and discover how you can play a vital role in shaping the future of public safety communications.

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Wed 9:00 am - 9:55 am
Keynote

9:55 am - 10:30 am Day 2: Awards Presentation

Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award

International Ballroom

The prestigious Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award honors an individual who has displayed remarkable leadership or made significant contributions in the field of public safety broadband communications. Established in 2017, the award recognizes the spirit of service, commitment, and dedication that is a proud tradition among public safety. Learn more.

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Wed 9:55 am - 10:30 am

Innovation in Technology Award

International Ballroom

For the first time in 2024, the Innovation in Technology Award recognizes public safety champions, academics, or innovators that have collaborated with NIST PSCR to achieve great advancements in public safety communications technology. The award recognizes the dedication of individuals or organizations to help first responders more effectively carry out their mission of saving lives and property.

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Wed 9:55 am - 10:30 am

Patriot Award

International Ballroom

Established in 2023, the Patriot Award recognizes individual first responders or public safety agencies that use FirstNet to make their communities safer. Recipients of the award are considered from across public safety disciplines — fire service, law enforcement, EMS, emergency management, and 911/emergency communications. The Patriot Award celebrates and recognizes trailblazers who save lives and protect communities using public safety broadband. Learn more.

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Wed 9:55 am - 10:30 am

10:45 am - 11:35 am Day 2: Morning Plenary

Public Safety Advancements Around the Globe

International Ballroom

Join esteemed representatives from around the world to understand recent public safety technology advancements and unique challenges for their countries.  

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Wed 10:45 am - 11:35 am
Plenary

11:45 am - 12:30 pm Day 2: Public Safety Demonstration

Chicago Fire Command Post Vehicle and Drone Kite

Outside Hotel

Attendees tour a state-of-the-art fire department command post vehicle, and learn about various situations in which the vehicle is deployed. A demonstration will be given of the command post's "kite" — a tethered drone that can provide immediate situational awareness of any emergency scene.

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Wed 11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Tech Demo

Oak Brook Police Mock Pursuit and Termination

Outside Hotel

A mock police pursuit will be demonstrated, involving the deployment of an innovative GPS dart device to track the location of the offender's vehicle. Officers will then demonstrate the deployment of a remotely-controlled tire deflation device to safely stop the offending vehicle.

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Wed 11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Tech Demo

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm Day 2: Breakout Sessions A

Augmented Reality for Public Safety: PSCR Awardee R&D Updates

State Room

Hear three User Interface/User Experience awardees from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program share the latest updates from their research and development activities. TRACLabs, University of Virginia, and University of North Carolina Greensboro will discuss advancements in augmented reality technology as it relates to search and rescue activities with drones, multimodal cognitive assistance for emergency medical services, and applications of efficient spatial user interfaces for emergency response.

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Wed 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, User Interface / User Experience

Digital Twins and Machine Learning for Safer Cities: Public Safety Training and Pre-plans

Gold Room

Come delve into a partnership between GeoCam, NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research Division, and the Western Fire Chiefs Association that will redefine safety in urban settings. We'll explore how GeoCam's innovative system utilizes machine learning and sophisticated camera technologies to create detailed fire pre-plan maps and virtual training modules. These tools are designed to simulate real-life emergency scenarios, enhancing training for fire departments. Highlights include the use of GeoCam 360 cameras for seamless data capture and integration, automation in generating floor plans of critical infrastructures, and a testing program aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of these digital tools in improving emergency response.

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Wed 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Location Services and Situational Awareness

FirstNet Planning for the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Millenium Room

Join us for a panel discussion about the last year's worth of planning for the 2024 Democratic National Convention right here in Chicago, Illinois. Panelists will discuss the overall planning process, the FirstNet Authority’s Network Experience Engagement Program, how AT&T FirstNet uses the information gained from pre-planning, and the expected solutions that will be provided to support the event.

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Wed 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

Network Status: What Do You Want to Know and When Do You Want to Know It?

Ambassador Room

Detailed insights on wireless broadband network status enables public safety teams to make informed operational decisions. Did you know FirstNet subscribers can sign up for notifications regarding FirstNet status to inform activation of alternate communication plans? This session will dive into the deployment of outage notifications. We will also discuss what information public safety users at all levels would like to have and the timing of that information.

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Wed 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Network Services and Coverage

Understanding Cellular and LMR Networks: A Primer for FirstNet Literacy

International Ballroom

Join us for an overview of cellular and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks, focusing on fundamental concepts, radio signals, and signal strength, within the context of FirstNet. Participants will gain an understanding of the functionality of cellular networks and how they compare with LMR systems. They will also explore similarities and differences between the technologies, delving into architectural, technical, and operational aspects. By enhancing their literacy regarding user experiences of the two networks, attendees will be empowered to make informed decisions and effectively use FirstNet. The session will explore the implementation of Quality of Service, Priority, and Preemption (QPP) and Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) on FirstNet.

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Wed 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Network Services and Coverage

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm Day 2: Breakout Sessions B

Clearing the Air: The Digital Evolution of Search and Rescue

Millenium Room

Historically, Search and Rescue (SAR) missions have been managed with basic tools: paper maps, compass, and ground searchers communicating over radios to report status. Today, mission managers and ground teams use a number of advanced tools for planning and deployment. This helps them take advantage of broadband technologies — like location information, mapping, and drone video — and clear radio airwaves for essential traffic and mission critical information. Learn how broadband solutions are being deployed for SAR planning and operations, as well as how technology has greatly increased operation efficiencies and changed the landscape of SAR missions.

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Wed 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

FirstNet in the Pacific: Communities Solving Unique Challenges Collectively

State Room

The isolation of Hawaii and the Pacific territories requires original communications solutions. Come listen as panelists from Hawaii, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and American Samoa discuss the challenges facing their island communities. Normal systems, whether they are based on LMR or LTE technologies, can go down. Come learn how public safety agencies in Honolulu, Hawaii have set up their failover systems using FirstNet deployable assets like Compact Rapid Deployables, LMR devices, push-to-talk applications, and portable command and control repeaters. Using these technologies, they are able to supply emergency communications whenever needed. Can Honolulu’s solution be applied elsewhere? Panelists will also discuss how they can work together to implement solutions that will help them solve LMR and LTE communications challenges today and in their darkest days. Is your community ready?

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Wed 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

Future-Proofing Push-to-Talk: Key Features and Functionality for Tomorrow's MCV Applications

Ambassador Room

Join us for a deep dive on Push-to-Talk (PTT) features and functionality — what’s missing and what can evolve. This is a high-priority outcome from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division Mission Critical Voice (MCV) Virtual Roundtable. Facilitators from NIST PSCR’s MCV Team will moderate a discussion to gather additional information on the key PTT features needed by public safety, and what functionality is needed to enable successful critical communications.

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Wed 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

Structuring Public Safety Research Problems with Natural Language Processing

Gold Room

How can we design research problems to address the real needs of people working in public safety? In this session, NIST PSCR discusses the results of new work examining persistent public safety communications challenges. To better understand when technical solutions apply — and when other analytical approaches are needed — NIST conducted interviews with people working in public safety about the technologies, training, and decisions on which they rely and seek support. NIST presents the results of this work and shares how natural language processing methods allow for greater comprehension of interviewee responses. The session ends with Q&A welcoming further input from the public safety community about structuring problems in public safety so that they may be addressed effectively by researchers.

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Wed 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, User Interface / User Experience

Yaw Ready for This? UAS 3D Mapping Innovation through Research and Prize Challenges

International Ballroom

Come see firsthand the winning solutions from the latest prize challenge from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) portfolio. Our current First Responder UAS 3D Mapping Challenge (UAS 5.0). Teams were tasked with developing a high-quality 3D digital map in real-time while flying their drone through a live scenario. Last year, you saw the winning solutions in our First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge (UAS 4.0), but a lot has happened since then. You’ll hear from the UAS 5.0 winners and see their UAS designs and flight videos. The NIST PSCR UAS team will also describe some of the research and commercialization efforts and tell you about the recently launched UAS 6.0 challenge.

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Wed 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Open Innovation and Commercialization, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Day 2: Breakout Sessions and Technology Demonstrations

Bridging Communications Technology: A Discussion on Integrating LMR and LTE

State Room

Embark on a journey of discovery with our panel of public safety stakeholders who have spearheaded the implementation of local, regional, and/or statewide systems integrating Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks with cellular Push-to-Talk (PTT) solutions. They will explore the challenges and considerations inherent in implementing LMR-LTE integration solutions at the local and state levels.

Our panelists will help you understand the diverse landscape of LMR-LTE integration solutions available in today’s market and explore the operational advantages and limitations of these existing solutions. Their candid assessments are based on real-world deployments, so seize this opportunity to learn from those who have walked the path of LMR-LTE integration for public safety.

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Wed 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

Public Safety's Mission Requirements for Deployable FirstNet Coverage

Ambassador Room

Members of the FirstNet Authority’s team will host a facilitated discussion into public safety's mission requirements for deployable FirstNet coverage. We hope to solicit answers to the following questions: What are some examples of public safety's mission requirements for on-demand FirstNet coverage where macro coverage does not exist? Based on your experience and previous incidents/events, what are the top three uses of the FirstNet network? What deployable form factors are ideal? Based on your own experience, what are the limiting factors of FirstNet deployables today, and how could that change for future operational requirements?

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Wed 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Breakout Session, Network Services and Coverage

Thursday, Jun 27

8:00 am - 8:45 am Day 3: Morning Technology Demonstrations

No workshops in this session.

9:00 am - 10:30 am Day 3: Morning Keynote and Plenary

Keynote from Chief Richard Carrizzo

International Ballroom

Thu 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Keynote

Results from the First Responder Smart Tracking (FRST) Challenge

International Ballroom

The First Responder Smart Tracking (FRST) Challenge aims to provide better situational awareness technologies for first responders. Come hear about the results and see the action from the advanced field testing phase of six cutting-edge tracking technologies. View exclusive video footage from the event and hear from FRST responders who tested the gear. This plenary session will provide a brief overview of the challenge, show the performance results of these devices in first responder exercises, and share how attendees can get involved in the next steps of the challenge. Learn about the FRST Challenge.

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Thu 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Location Services and Situational Awareness, Open Innovation and Commercialization, Plenary

10:45 am - 11:30 am Day 3: Breakout Sessions and Technology Demonstrations

Using FirstNet COAMs and Agency-Driven Solutions to Improve Communications

Ambassador Room

Join us for a conversation with two Virginia jurisdictions who enhanced their FirstNet communications with Customer-Owned and Maintained (COAM) deployables and agency-driven solutions. Engage with the City of Chesapeake, Virginia’s Department of Information Technology who developed a comprehensive checklist for its FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployables (CRD), helping the agency stay ready to provide optimal functionality in critical situations. For agencies looking for an in-house solution for specific operational needs, discover how the Isle of Wight County Virginia Fire Rescue retrofitted a command unit with cutting-edge FirstNet technology, bolstering communication capabilities and response effectiveness. This session offers invaluable knowledge and practical strategies to enhance your organization's readiness and resilience.

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Thu 10:45 am - 11:30 am
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

11:40 am - 12:30 pm Day 3: Breakout Sessions A

Bridging the Distance Divide: Using FirstNet to Bring Care to Rural Communities

State Room

The Emergency Medical Services community has much to offer rural America where healthcare options are dwindling. Staffing shortages, travel distances, and budget constraints are closing doors of much-needed rural health services.

The remote area of Jackman, Maine, was experiencing such constraints, especially on nights and weekends when the local health clinic was closed. Through an innovative telehealth project, the region now has 24/7 urgent care. Paramedics can now treat patients after hours using technology to consult — in real time — with emergency physicians at a hospital 120 miles away. Come learn about the keys to the program’s success, including public safety broadband, widely available technology, and advanced medical training for local paramedics.

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Thu 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

Federal Event and Incident Response

International Ballroom

Come explore how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources and uses FirstNet during all-hazards responses. FEMA’s mission is to enable interoperable communications to ensure coordination and collaboration among federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations. Attendees will learn from FEMA’s experiences with communications resiliency and discover helpful federal government resources for all-hazards planning, mitigation, and recovery.

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Thu 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

FirstNet in Indian Country: Innovation, Collaboration and Practical Application

Millenium Room

Join us for a panel discussion that explores the benefits and opportunities of integrating the FirstNet network into Indian Country public safety operations. This session will bring together tribal public safety and emergency management leaders and federal partners to discuss how they implemented FirstNet. They will also explore FirstNet’s role in enhancing communication within tribal specific areas, as well as the exchange of situational awareness and outreach with other tribal, state, and federal agencies. Learn about the FirstNet infrastructure buildout supporting tribal communities and the technology solutions that can further boost connectivity to help first responders operate faster, safer, and more efficiently.

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Thu 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

Next-Gen Services for the First Responder: How Can Public Safety Utilize New Technologies?

Ambassador Room

Ready to dive deep into next-generation (Next-Gen) mission critical services? This is a high-priority outcome from the Mission Critical Voice (MCV) Virtual Roundtable. Facilitators from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Mission Critical Voice team will moderate a discussion to identify relevant Next-Gen services such as video, sensors, and artificial intelligence to determine how public safety sees using these technologies operationally, and identify gaps that these technologies can fill.

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Thu 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

Top 10 Risks: Cybersecurity and AI Risk Management for UAS in Public Safety

Gold Room

Panel experts will discuss the management of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) risks associated with the use of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, in public safety. The panel will focus on the list of Top 10 questions that resulted from a survey conducted by the "Cybersecurity and AI Risk Management for UAS in Public Safety Working Group," during its kickoff workshop in February 2024. The goal of these questions is to help public safety management personnel — such as fire and police chiefs — to start the discussion with their Information Technology (IT) staff, vendors, and other people in the UAS ecosystem, around improving Cybersecurity and AI risk management in their agencies.

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Thu 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Breakout Session, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm Day 3: Breakout Sessions B

5G-based Indoor Positioning System (5G-IPS) for Firefighters using UAVs

Millennium Room

This session will provide an update on the Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program 2022 awarded “5G-enabled Indoor Positioning System for Firefighters using UAVs (5G-IPS).” George Mason University, together with Virginia Tech and Arlington County Fire Department, are prototyping a precise 5G-based Indoor Positioning System (5G-IPS) for firefighters, leveraging 5G NR positioning, network slicing, Open RAN architecture, MEC, and agile Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) deployment. This 5G-IPS system promises enhanced situational awareness for first responders, offering precise location tracking and seamless communication among key team members, crucial for their safety in hazardous environments. Stop by our demo table for an in-depth look at our latest demonstration of the 5G-IPS system.

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Thu 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Location Services and Situational Awareness

D2D and V2X Communications for Mission Critical Public Safety Applications

Gold Room

Our agenda will explore the evolution of device-to-device (D2D) communications in bolstering support for first responders. Solutions range from Sidelink communication for improved coverage, to single-hop relay, to the upcoming multi-hop relay, to the advancements in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Our goal is to share findings from our research and gain insights into stakeholder interests in D2D research opportunities and mission-critical communication applications. Through this collaboration, we will shape future planning by brainstorming new D2D communication functionalities that can have a significant operational effect on public safety.

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Thu 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

Federal Law Enforcement Use of FirstNet

State Room

Public safety agencies across the nation have explored the use of FirstNet as they navigate budget cycles and search for cost-saving supplements to land mobile radio networks — Federal law enforcement agencies are no exception. During this session, federal law enforcement agencies will share their experiences with new tools such as push-to-talk over cellular and tactical awareness kits (TAK) to support and enhance their operations. Attendees will hear the federal perspective on these and other interoperability solutions, including what works and does not work, and engage in a question-and-answer session to share best practices.

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Thu 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

Joint Courage: Exploring the Development Journey of an Emergency Response App

State Room

Listen in on this engaging panel discussion as we delve into the captivating narrative behind a groundbreaking mobile application, Peak Response, forged in the crucible of the Tech-2-Protect Program. We will trace its evolution from inception to market-ready solution. Don’t miss our exploration of development challenges and strategic pivots made along the way based on the invaluable input and collaboration with public safety entities. Notably, we will discuss the application's use at a mass casualty incident exercise held in April 2024 in San Francisco, which provided opportunities for the vendor to refine and optimize the application's functionality under simulated emergency scenarios.

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Thu 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, User Interface / User Experience

Something Old, Something New: Secrets to a perfect LMR and LTE marriage

Ambassador Room

This deep dive discussion will center around the successes, lessons learned, and opportunities that come with connecting LMR and LTE networks together to provide the best MCPTT experience for all users. Share your user stories and operational needs on topics such as shared talk group planning, device form factors that best suit different user segments, cost and coverage considerations, and policy implications.

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Thu 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Session, Mission Critical Services

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm Day 3: Breakout Sessions C

5x5 Interact! A Public Safety Scavenger Hunt Deep Dive

Ambassador Room

Get hands-on experience using public safety solutions in this interactive session. During the scavenger hunt phase, participants will use situational awareness applications and complete clue-based challenges. Come explore the functionalities and capabilities of the solutions so YOU get firsthand insight into their potential application in public safety operations.

Following the scavenger hunt, participants will convene for a deep-dive discussion, during which you can share your experience and provide feedback. During this dialogue, we will identify strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement in the featured solutions. We hope to facilitate meaningful insights and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and usability of public safety technologies.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage with innovative solutions, collaborate with fellow public safety professionals, and contribute to the advancement of technology in the field of public safety. Join us for an unforgettable experience that combines hands-on learning with meaningful discussions, shaping the future of public safety solutions.

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Thu 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

AI3 Challenge: Shaping the Future of First Responder Situational Awareness with IoT Integration

Gold Room

This session discusses NIST PSCR’s Artificial Intelligence for IoT Information (AI3) Prize Challenge with representatives from NIST PSCR, Texas A&M, and challenge winners. We will cover the challenge's inception, execution, and how its outcomes will benefit public safety information gathering.

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Thu 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Open Innovation and Commercialization

Facing Incidents/Disasters with FirstNet: Preparedness, Response and Recovery

International Ballroom

How do you use FirstNet in event, incident, and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery? Our panel will talk about their experiences and share lessons learned on how they operationalized FirstNet in disasters. Preparedness plans are key to successful incident and disaster response operations. The FirstNet Authority provides pre-planning engagements to help public safety prepare for using FirstNet during public safety events, incidents, and disasters. The FirstNet Authority works closely with AT&T and our public safety stakeholders to meet their operational requirements during disaster response and recovery.

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Thu 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, Public Safety Operations

Operational XR: Supporting First Responders’ Missions with Today’s AR/VR Technology

State Room

By providing immersive 3D content via a mobile and hands-free display, XR technologies create new possibilities for emergency response scenarios. Yet, the needs of first responders must be paramount in design and implementation of an XR solution for use in an operation. The hardware needs to be rugged and durable; user interfaces must be easy to learn and not detract from the mission; and the system must provide value at a reasonable price point. Before, these constraints prevented first responders from deploying XR solutions. Now, advancements to XR hardware and user interfaces can enable more operational XR deployments. In this session, panelists will present their solutions for enhancing emergency response operations through AR or VR. They will also discuss unique challenges and design consideration for such interfaces and the testing and validation of their respective systems. Join us as we seek to inform work toward more robust XR solutions that target operational scenarios.

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Thu 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, User Interface / User Experience

Why Wellness? Identifying upstream solutions to reduce downstream effects

Millennium Room

Many studies show that a career in emergency response can detrimentally affect the health and wellness of public safety professionals. Compared to the general population, first responders experience higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and other issues. This panel discussion will explore the conditions and situations driving first responders to face these challenges and will discuss early intervention solutions.

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Thu 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Breakout Session, User Interface / User Experience

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Day 3: Afternoon Technology Demonstrations

No workshops in this session.