Dr. Joyce Highlights the Importance of Reauthorizing FirstNet to Secure Broadband for First Responders 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Energy and Commerce Committee held a full committee markup to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). During the markup, Congressman John Joyce, M.D., spoke in favor of H.R. 7386, The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act. 

This legislation would reauthorize the FirstNet through September 2037 and includes key provisions to increase transparency, ensure accountability, and strengthen the FirstNet program for the first responders that depend on it to serve communities across the United States. The bill successfully passed through the Committee with unanimous support and will now move to be considered before the full House of Representatives.  

View Congressman Joyce’s full remarks by clicking here. 

“FirstNet is a critical component of public safety communications in the district that I represent in Pennsylvania. Particularly across rural areas, the FirstNet network provides first responders the ability to respond to emergency situations with the most effective communications system possible. In an emergency, there is no time to waste. First responders across the country know the grave consequences that can happen when a 911 call drops or communications systems fail in the seconds that matter most.” 

“At Shade Gap Volunteer Fire Company in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, firefighters utilize the FirstNet system to save countless lives. Before the FirstNet system tower was installed in 2022, firefighters faced 911 dispatch calls that were difficult to hear and phone calls that would drop. In some cases, people in emergency situations would even have to drive to nearby towns to make a call to 911,” said Congressman Joyce, M.D. “Shade Gap Volunteer Fire Company President Tanner Locke said that with FirstNet coverage in their area, firefighters have not had one single dropped 911 call. That is correct – not one single dropped 911 call. The FirstNet upgrade has allowed first responders to respond to emergencies when time is of the essence.”