Help us kick-off 5x5 in 2025! We’ll make sure you know where you’re going and what is in store.

The Bellevue Police Department Honor Guard and King County Firefighters Pipes & Drums will present colors to open 5x5 followed by a warm welcome from Interim Fire Chief Dave Tait of Bellevue Fire Department and Assistant Chief Andrew Popochock from Bellevue Police Department. 

Join Dereck Orr, Division Chief of NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division, as he opens the 5x5 Summit with a keynote outlining how cutting-edge research and cross-sector collaboration are shaping the future of public safety communications technology. He will highlight R&D progress at PSCR over the past year, where public safety communications R&D is […]

Join Deputy Chief Thomas Chenworth, District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department and Chief David Povlitz, Arlington County Fire Department in Virginia as they share lessons learned from their agencies’ responses to the January 29 commercial aircraft and military helicopter collision and crash. Understand the pivotal role data and uninterrupted connectivity played in the response […]

Executive Director and CEO Michael A. Cannon outlines how people and public safety will be paramount as he drives the FirstNet Authority forward.

Last year at 5x5, we shared the beginnings of the space race in the cellular world in the form of a new and promising technology — satellite-to-device services. Come join us to hear about the exciting progress to date, as well as discuss what this could mean for public safety, what’s the latest in the […]

A panel of extended reality (XR) researchers will discuss how immersive technologies could shape the future of public safety training and operations. Panelists will share cutting-edge work that reimagines interaction in XR — using gestures, adaptive displays, and AI-driven personalization — with a focus on public safety applications. The discussion will highlight how these novel […]

Explore the latest advancements and programs implemented by Washington D.C. Fire and EMS to enhance EMS response and patient outcomes. Key leadership will share examples and lessons learned on how FirstNet has optimized and amplified the use of technology in the field.

Start off the summit by increasing your connections within the public safety innovation community. Attendees will participate in a series of short, one-on-one conversations with other 5x5 stakeholders. We will provide sample questions, such as: What communication technology problems do you as a first responder still face? What communications technology research area for public safety […]

Next-generation public safety communications must be reliable, seamless, and built for real-world challenges. This session will dive into key insights from the past year’s discussions with public safety stakeholders, covering LMR/broadband interoperability, mission-critical data transmission, and managing background noise in critical environments. We’ll also explore mission-critical voice quality of experience (MCV QoE) research, including broadband’s […]

This session will emphasize the importance of using regionally available Compact Rapid Deployables (CRDs) during incidents and events. It will focus on effective planning strategies, the development of policies and procedures, and best practices to ensure proper utilization and deployment of assets in emergencies. Attendees will learn how to proactively prepare for emergency response, maintain […]

The Marshall Fire in Boulder, Colorado consumed over 1,000 homes in Boulder County. The more recent crisis in Los Angeles, California consumed over 12,000 homes and businesses. These use cases will be discussed by UAS responder experts who will address the need for UAS in emergency management, whether preparing for, responding to, or recovering from […]

This session brings together researchers from Iowa State and Carnegie Mellon University to report on their work for augmented reality user interfaces for public safety. Iowa State is testing modular AR libraries for different interactions and visualizations that can be adopted by researchers and developers alike. Carnegie Mellon University has created a number of XR […]

As broadband technologies transform public safety, understanding the challenges agencies face in their attempts to deploy these technologies is critical. This interactive deep-dive session invites participants to share their experiences, insights, and needs regarding technology adoption. Together, we'll explore key areas such as training, policy development, technical resources, and operational integration. Join us to identify […]

Ready for use cases, best practices, and key learning around LMR/LTE interoperability? Our discussion will highlight the growing recognition among public safety agencies for augmenting LMR systems with mission critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) capabilities to enhance communications. Come see the benefits of dual LMR and LTE coverage, leveraging FirstNet for new LMR sites, extending coverage beyond […]

The NIST Information Technology Laboratory is a world leader in cybersecurity best practices and guidance. This session will digest some of the most recent research publications from the lab and explain their relevance to public safety organizations cybersecurity concerns.

In emergencies, every second counts — but how do responders navigate complex indoor environments when maps are inaccurate, outdated, or difficult to access? This campfire session brings together public safety professionals and researchers to discuss the evolving role of indoor mapping in emergency response. Panelists will share their experiences, insights, and challenges with implementing and […]

Get to know the details of Mission Critical Service certification and conformance compliance based on the 3GPP standard. Our audience will receive firsthand information related to the official certification process for Mission Critical Service products and news related to the MCS Application Server certification. Don’t miss our discussion of the importance of standardization and international […]

Join us to learn about solutions and strategies for communities to remain self-reliant and resilient when operating in austere or isolated conditions. Sometimes isolation is due to geography – think about island communities – and sometimes it is due to a disaster physically isolating a region or community. Our panelists will explore the unique challenges […]

What does resilience mean to you? What tools do you maintain in your emotional disaster preparedness kit? What has worked for you in the past to help regulate your nervous system? Join Chief Trisha Wolford of Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Kristin Cox of Seattle Fire Departmet as they share their perspectives on these […]

Get ready to experience emerging technologies like never before! In this interactive kickoff session, participants will receive instructions for a fun and engaging scavenger hunt designed to provide hands-on engagement with cutting-edge tools and solutions. We will introduce the technologies featured in the hunt and explain how they are shaping the industry. This session will […]

What makes FirstNet unique in the world of public safety communications? This deep-dive session invites stakeholders to weigh in on how FirstNet can best differentiate itself in terms of service, reliability, innovation, and value. Your perspective is vital to shaping the strategies that set FirstNet apart and ensure it continues to meet the dynamic needs […]

See 70+ technology demos.

Want to get to know the board of the First Responder Network Authority? Ready to relax and meet more of your fellow 5x5 attendees? Join us in the bar area of Suite for a no-host social after hours at 5x5.

It’s day two in Bellevue! Get ready for another day of collaboration, innovation, and motivation.

Division Chief Kevin Fetterman, Orange County Fire Authority in California will share his experiences using new technology and mobile broadband data for wildfire response. Through recent examples, such as the Airport Fire, learn how responders increasingly leverage advanced communications tools.

Come celebrate leaders in public safety communication! We will present the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award, the FirstNet Authority Patriot Awards, and NIST PSCR’s Innovation in Technology Awards. Learn more about the awards presented by the FirstNet Authority and NIST PSCR.

Join us for a facilitated conversation between the recipients of the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award and NIST PSCR’s Innovation in Technology Award. In this moderated conversation, these esteemed public safety leaders will share their respective technology journeys, contributions to the FirstNet Authority and NIST PSCR, and the lasting impact of […]

The Redmond Police Department joins 5x5 to provide a peek into their drone as a first responder (DFR) program. The department uses unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to help officers assess scenes before ground units arrive, providing invaluable intelligence about how, where, and when to deploy ground units. Join us inside as they walk us through […]

Drones play a crucial role in addressing various challenges faced by public safety agencies. Listen in on a discussion of how UAS technology helps bridge resource gaps, foster collaborations, improve communication, and introduce innovative approaches. Explore the potential benefits in areas such as cost savings, tactical response, program management, data analysis, and enhanced situational awareness.

Journey the world of Mission Critical Services through the history of Nemergent and NIST PSCR. See their collaborations from an architectural perspective, highlighting the outcomes of each project in the development of a standard-based Mission Critical System that supports public protection and disaster relief activities. Participants will learn and see the enhancements and development of […]

Western Fire Chiefs Association and JANUS Research Group (JANUS) have worked with departments, such as Boise Fire, across multiple PSCR challenges and grants to understand various challenges public safety faces and offer potential solutions. This talk will offer a retrospective on the technologies (Cloud, VR, AR, AI, GIS) applied to solve those specific problems and […]

Learn about the latest enhancements to one FirstNet’s key tools, FirstNet Central. This tool is the gateway to all online services connected to FirstNet. FirstNet Authority and AT&T staff will provide a comprehensive overview of FirstNet Central’s latest capabilities, including the Network Status Map, different types of outage notifications, and the Uplift Request Tool. Take […]

This session provides an overview of the FirstNet Authority’s innovation trials program. We are seeking attendee feedback on what technologies they would like to see future trials centered around. Join us as we discuss the operational gaps departments and agencies face today and how innovation could benefit them in the future.

Come see the innovative digital twin testbed developed by Texas A&M University, in collaboration with TEEX, and funded through the NIST Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program 2022. The testbed is modeled after Disaster City®, a renowned 52-acre training facility, to create immersive, photorealistic simulations for first responders and emergency managers. This platform not only enhances […]

The Department of Defense (DoD) has integrated FirstNet services and capabilities into its operational and mission essential roles. This session will provide insights into how DoD, federal, and national security partners use FirstNet to support public safety, interoperability, and mutual aid.

Join us for an insightful discussion exploring the journey of Peak Response, a cutting-edge mobile application developed through the Tech-2-Protect Program. Peak Response provides speech-to-text capabilities to enable efficient on-scene real-time information collection for EMS. The application features key integrations with CAD and EPCR systems, allowing it to be an integral part of agencies’ day-to-day […]

Ready to dive into 3D mapping, research into spatial intelligence from mapping data, and the international standard for testing of localization systems? At this session you will hear brief summaries and updates on several different areas of research being conducted at NIST PSCR within the Location-Based Services (LBS) Portfolio. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage […]

Join representatives of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department as they share how they saved $30K per year using FirstNet connectivity for fire apparatus and tablets. Department staff will share the specific steps taken to subscribe devices to FirstNet Control Center and how devices are managed through this solution.  

In this session, public safety professionals will explore the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing public safety broadband communications solutions in Indian Country. As technology evolves, tribal communities face distinct hurdles when integrating modern communication systems into their public safety frameworks. Join our panel of distinguished Tribal police chiefs, public safety directors, and technology professionals […]

Last year, GeoCam explored how better pre-plan data and simplified mapping workflows can elevate fire service training and response. They also shared a progress update on using camera-based reality capture and artificial intelligence (AI) to automate floor plan creation, asset mapping, and pre-plan generation — reducing complexity and cost. This year, GeoCam will showcase a […]

Device-to-Device (D2D) communication plays a crucial role in public safety by ensuring connectivity among first responders, even in areas without network coverage. This session will explore the evolution of 3GPP standardization in supporting D2D communications, covering advancements from sidelink to single-hop and multi-hop relay technologies. Additionally, this session will present performance evaluations of multi-hop relay […]

Participate in a deep dive discussion to inform the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) portfolio roadmap. A conversation on early NIST PSCR research results, technical outcomes, and current industry trends will prompt attendees to present new use cases and gap areas for future research. Come see why you should join PSCR's UAS working group!

The FirstNet Authority has significant investments in coverage enhancements planned over the next 10 years. Join to learn how the FirstNet Authority is engaging with public safety stakeholders across the nation to solicit coverage feedback. The FirstNet Authority team will discuss its workshop approach and identify lessons learned from sessions conducted to date, as well […]

See 70+ technology demos.

It’s the last day of this year’s 5x5! Help us reflect on the event so far and get ready for another day pushing forward public safety communications.

Katrina Petersen from Public Safety Communication Europe will explain the policy story and approach being taken to prepare for the European Critical Communication System (EUCCS). The European Commission has made it a priority to establish EUCCS by 2030. Learn how this effort will accelerate the preparation and adoption of mission critical services nationally, which will […]

With more than 50 sessions packed into this year’s 5x5, it’s impossible to catch it all — but we’ve got you covered. Join a dynamic panel of 5x5 award recipients from public safety, industry, and academia as they share the standout moments, key themes, and surprising gaps from across the week. Hear what sparked their […]

See 70+ technology demos.

Come hear Location-Based Services (LBS) research updates from Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program 2022 award recipients from the University of California, Irvine (Project NEVERLOST) and North Carolina State University (5G Indoor Positioning System). These two recipients are developing technologies to enable indoor localization for public safety and working in areas related to inertial navigation and […]

See the latest research out of two universities around augmented reality and spatial-temporal cognition. The University of Florida developed tools for visualizing indoor location and building information with AR devices. The principal investigators will share more about their solutions and study results on presenting building and location information for navigational and situational awareness tasks. University […]

There are myriad emergency scenarios where public safety personnel could leverage nearby ground sensor information for increased situational awareness – imagine IoT sensors dropped ahead of a fire in mountainous terrain or the cell phones near survivors of a natural disaster. Join this session to learn how the First Responder UAS Wireless Data Gatherer Challenge […]

Share your thoughts on FirstNet Central’s latest enhancements to the Network Status Map and outage notifications. As the gateway to all online services connected to FirstNet, FirstNet Central provides public safety entities with unprecedented network insights. The FirstNet Authority team seeks input on FirstNet Central’s usability, functionality, and value to your operations. This interactive session […]

The North Carolina 911 Board will share their experience testing the FirstNet Wireless Redundant Solution and then implementing it in response to Hurricane Helene. On October 25, the solution was deployed for a public safety answering point (PSAP) whose infrastructure for their last mile carrier was obliterated. That PSAP ran solid for one month with […]

This session explores how network slicing is poised to unleash the full potential of FirstNet and 5G. We will examine how FirstNet is evolving with the 5G landscape and introduce the concept of 5G slicing — an innovative capability that enables dedicated, mission-critical connectivity to first responders. Attendees will learn how FirstNet plans to leverage […]

Explore significant feedback trends from 2024 and 2025 and learn how that feedback has created tremendous value for the FirstNet Authority and AT&T, from investment decisions to public safety issues and concern resolutions. Hear how contract-related issues shared by public safety are formally escalated to AT&T for support. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of […]

The University of Virginia developed an AR cognitive assistant system that supports first responders through real-time inference of incident context based on observations at the scene and provides them with context-dependent feedback on the timely and safe execution of response actions. This session will detail their work with first responders to create a multimodal dataset, […]

Evidence analysis, report writing, autonomous drones, and imagery analysis — public safety organizations are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence tools to achieve efficiency and effectiveness. Join our campfire for an interactive session focused on AI basics, key use cases within public safety, and how to leverage NIST tools to implement AI systems in a risk-informed manner.

Join our distinguished panel of public safety practitioners and experts in Team Awareness Kit (TAK) technology for a discussion of compelling use cases of TAK on FirstNet. The conversation will highlight TAK’s transformative potential across various public safety disciplines. Panelists will share their insights on how TAK enhances situational awareness, facilitates real-time communication, and improves […]

After you participate in the action-packed 5x5 Interact scavenger hunt, join us for a deep dive into the technologies you explored. This session will bring participants together to share their experiences, discuss key takeaways, and provide feedback on the innovations they encountered. FirstNet Authority experts will facilitate the discussion, offering insights on real-world applications and […]

Join us as we discuss the process of considering new technology for public safety. What variables should agencies take into consideration? How are agencies quantifying outcomes and impacts on their respective operations? Join this session to incorporate advanced risk and reward theory when using new technology in an entrepreneurial manner.

Response for FirstNet, developed by Intrepid Networks, is a core FirstNet capability that has provided situational awareness during recent National Security Special Events (NSSE). During this panel, speakers will share their stories and lessons learned from using Response for FirstNet to support military and federal agencies during recent NSSEs, including the 60th Presidential Inauguration.

Last year’s 5x5 attendees learned about First Responder UAS 3D Mapping Challenge Stage 3 top winning teams’ UAS solutions that could produce high-quality 3D digital maps in real time. Since then, those competitors, along with four additional Stage 3 teams, successfully completed the final challenge stage, Stage 4: Solution Accelerator. In this stage, the PSCR […]

In this session, PSCR staff with leading expertise in User Experience (UX) will present a selection of methods for measuring user experiences — particularly user judgments — and the science behind these methods. Bring your research design questions to this session! The UX team will analyze these research design challenges with attendees and share what […]