Transforming Fire Department Communication

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Hampton-Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department has partnered with T-Mobile to transform its emergency response communications across 70 square miles of geographically challenging terrain.
By leveraging 5G connectivity from T-Mobile, the fire department has deployed numerous applications to provide first responders with superior situational awareness using geolocation, geofencing, and two-way messaging.
Hampton-Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department firefighters receive priority access and preemption on the T-Mobile network—meaning their access to the network is prioritized no matter how many people are trying to call, text, or stream video at the same time.

The Hampton-Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department (HVFVFD) consists of farmers, plumbers, carpenters, businesspeople, and students who donate their time and risk their lives to protect 6,000-plus homes and businesses across more than 70 square miles of rugged, mountainous terrain in Eastern Tennessee.

The department’s budget is tight. Technological expertise is limited. And many firefighters, along with other residents of the rural region, had come to accept that they’d never have the reliable, speedy connectivity that city dwellers enjoy.

But in recent years, the department has become a shining example of how our 5G connectivity—paired with smart devices and user-friendly apps—can transform public safety, even in the most remote corners of the country.

“We have a great group of volunteers, and if you throw a problem at them, it’ll get solved—but you have to be able to communicate,” says firefighter Amos Halava, a two-decade veteran of the HVFVFD. “The T-Mobile system allows us to do that so much more effectively. It provides an infrastructure that delivers fast, efficient communication, and it lets us leverage powerful mobile apps as force multipliers.”

Putting it simply, he says, “Instead of carrying around bulky radio equipment, we use geolocation and communication tools on our smartphones, which provide us with improved situational awareness.”

A transformational change for firefighters.

The use of mobile applications in fire services, especially in volunteer organizations, is often limited due to budget constraints, institutional resistance to change, or perceived complexity. Technical challenges, such as infrastructure and device compatibility, along with a rugged operational environment, further complicate adoption. Data security, privacy concerns, and regulatory compliance can add to the complexity. High volunteer turnover and varying commitment levels hinder consistent use, while a lack of knowledge regarding the benefits and best practices for mobile apps can exacerbate the issue. In rural areas, public safety officials often assume that spotty coverage will always be an obstacle.

Since the HVFVFD began partnering with T-Mobile for Government, the department has transformed its communications. Using their smartphones equipped with communication apps, volunteers are more aware of an incident’s situation and can hear live radio traffic as they respond.

One of the most high-impact solutions has been the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), a powerful—and free—app developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Halava says ATAK has increased the department’s speed, effectiveness, and firefighter safety.

“If there’s something going on in our area, we can track what we need to with ATAK,” he explains. “It gives the on-scene commander a really good, operational picture—right on his cell phone.”

The right solutions on the right 5G network.

This new way of working is only possible because of our award-winning 5G network, which extends across more square miles than either of its two largest competitors. The network offers the speed and low latency needed to receive and share images, maps, and real-time videos. This is especially important during fires and other disasters where conditions can change abruptly.

Before partnering with T-Mobile for Government, the fire department experimented with smartphone use—but abandoned the effort. With access to the T-Mobile 5G network, by the time a firefighter arrives at the scene, they already have the information and images they need to make smart, coordinated decisions in rapidly evolving and potentially dangerous circumstances.

With access to the T-Mobile 5G network, by the time a firefighter arrives at the scene, they already have the information and images they need to make smart, coordinated decisions in rapidly evolving and potentially dangerous circumstances.

“If we have multiple agencies responding to an incident, we can text one person at that agency a link and say, ‘Hey, send this to all your guys,’” Halava says. “Information is passed around very quickly, and we’re able to onboard a lot of people very quickly.”

Fire department technology: Priority and preemption.

Before moving to smartphones and tablets, the HVFVFD needed to ensure that firefighters could access mission-critical apps regardless of network traffic conditions. Of particular concern: maintaining a connection when tens of thousands of people descend on the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway for NASCAR races and other events.

HVFVFD firefighters, using functionalities provided at no extra charge for T-Mobile customers enrolled in the federal Wireless Priority Service program, receive priority access and preemption on the T-Mobile network—meaning that their access to the network is prioritized no matter how many people are trying to call, text, or stream video at once.

Many public safety leaders assume they lack the funding and technological expertise to adopt smartphones, tablets, and mobile apps for communications and information sharing. But the HVFVFD has found the opposite to be true: Leveraging mobile technology has made it easier for volunteers to juggle the demands of firefighting and their other responsibilities. And lives have been saved, property protected, and injuries prevented in the process.