[Skip to main content](https://www.t-mobile.com#content-main)
[](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority)
[](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority)
Search
Search Submit search query Close out of search
RECENT0 recent searches
POPULAR0 popular search suggestions
Categoriesundefined categories
Suggestions0 search suggestions
TOP SUGGESTIONS
- [](https://www.t-mobile.com)
undefined top suggestions
- [Network](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/network-services) Network
- [Coverage & network support](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/network-services)
- [T-Satellite](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/starlink-satellite-phone-service)
- [Products & solutions](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-solutions) Products & solutions
- [Solutions](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-solutions)
- [Priority & Preemption](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-solutions/network-priority-for-critical-communications)
- [Mission Critical Push-to-talk](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-solutions/mission-critical-push-to-talk-service)
- [Eligibility](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/eligibility) Eligibility
- [Agency & business eligibility](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/eligibility)
- [Device eligibility](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/eligibility/devices)
- [Resources](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-resources) Resources
- [Articles & case studies](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-resources)
- [Rate plans](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-plan) Rate plans
- [Agency & business plans](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-plan)
- [Personal plans](https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/first-responder-discounts)
- [Why T-Priority](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/why-choose-t-priority) Why T-Priority
- [FAQs](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/why-choose-t-priority)
Contact us
Search
Search Submit search query Close out of search
RECENT0 recent searches
POPULAR0 popular search suggestions
Categoriesundefined categories
Suggestions0 search suggestions
TOP SUGGESTIONS
- [](https://www.t-mobile.com)
undefined top suggestions
- [Wireless](https://www.t-mobile.com/)
- [Business](https://www.t-mobile.com/business)
- [Prepaid](https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/home)
- [Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet)
- [T-Priority](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority)
- [SuperMobile](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/plans/supermobile)
[](https://www.t-mobile.com)
# How T-Priority helps the Allen Fire Department move faster when seconds count
Every emergency is a race against time. For Allen, Texas, Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd, that means evaluating new technology not just on whether it helps responders move faster, but on whether it helps them spot problems sooner, decide earlier, and act before conditions worsen.
Ready to experience T-Priority?
Speak to an expert
__4 min read__
__KEY TAKEAWAYS__
- __Rather than asking what new technology to buy, Chief Jonathan Boyd asks whether it moves the department's decision point earlier on the timeline.__
- __An advanced CAD system cuts dispatch times by roughly 90 seconds, and a 150-plus-volunteer CERT team contributes more than 5,000 hours a year, extending the department's capabilities.__
- __Allen Fire's communications strategy relies on the T-Mobile nationwide 5G standalone network and T-Priority, which uses a network slice that dynamically allocates additional resources during periods of congestion.__
[Explore the full white paper , opens in a new window](https://www.t-mobile.com/content/dam/digx/tfb/us/en/non-dynamic-media/pdf/Allen_Texas_Fire_Department_Case_Study_FINAL.pdf?icid=TFB_TBW_P_24TFBFRSTR_74231O664905K0379590V)
## Protecting a growing Texas community
Located about twenty miles north of downtown Dallas, Allen has become one of North Texas' most dynamic communities, with more than 110,000 residents. The city is also home to the nation's largest high school, where Friday night football games, graduations, and other community events routinely draw crowds of approximately 20,000—creating communications and public safety demands more commonly associated with much larger cities.
The Allen Fire Department has evolved alongside that growth. The department employs more than 120 personnel across six fire stations staffed around the clock by 39 firefighter/paramedics. About 80% of responses are EMS-related, and the department also provides fire prevention, public education, emergency management, and specialized rescue capabilities for the city and surrounding region. Its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), comprising more than 150 volunteers, contributes more than 5,000 hours annually and extends that capacity even further.
## From coverage to capacity with T-Mobile 5G
Firefighters once depended mainly on voice communications over land mobile radio. Today they rely on a continuous flow of mission-critical information—building plans, mapping, live video, patient data, weather intelligence, drone imagery, and real-time unit locations—to support faster, better-informed decisions. As AI and other technologies become integrated into emergency operations, that volume will continue to grow.
"We need to rethink priority. It's no longer about having priority on a radio frequency. It's about having priority for data."
__Chief Jonathan Boyd,__ Allen Fire Department
That evolution has changed the role of communications, Boyd says. Resilient communications are no longer simply a utility supporting the response—they've become part of the response itself. Simply having coverage is no longer enough; as emergency response becomes increasingly data-driven, agencies also need the capacity to support the growing volume of mission-critical information modern operations depend on. That requirement has shaped Allen Fire's reliance on the T-Mobile 5G Standalone network and T-Priority, which provide a dedicated network slice that can dynamically allocate additional resources during periods of congestion.
## Reaching the decision point sooner
Allen Fire Department uses an advanced computer-aided dispatch system that continuously tracks apparatus locations and automatically identifies the closest appropriate resources. Incidents are transmitted almost immediately to responding units, cutting dispatch times by roughly 90 seconds, and giving crews access to incident information en route. For Boyd, those 90 seconds capture the real value of technology: accelerating the response and letting every decision and action that follows happen sooner.
"Does this technology move our decision point earlier on the timeline?"
__Chief Jonathan Boyd,__ Allen Fire Department
## Extending the response
CERT volunteers extend Allen Fire's capabilities during major community events, severe weather, disasters, and other high-demand incidents—assisting with crowd management, identifying medical emergencies, and relaying information to fire personnel. Allen has made connectivity central to how those volunteers operate: CERT teams use smartphones, tablets, and rapidly deployable communications kits on the T-Mobile network, with QR-code onboarding that lets members join an incident and begin sharing location and operational data within minutes. The result is a volunteer resource that isn't simply available when needed—it's trained, operational, and integrated into department responses.
## When capacity matters most
After the 2023 mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets Mall, responders directed hundreds of displaced civilians to designated reunification points rather than transporting them, relying on their ability to arrange their own transportation by phone. Despite a dramatic spike in cellular traffic during the incident, nearby 5G infrastructure maintained sufficient capacity—for emergency operations and for the public coordinating their own transportation and reunification.
"This incident underscored the importance of robust cellular infrastructure in emergency management—not just for first responders, but for the public as well," Boyd said. "When people have the tools to help themselves, it significantly eases the burden on emergency responders."
## Prepared for what's next
Boyd sees resilient public safety communications as a layered system—traditional land mobile radio, cellular broadband, and satellite connectivity working together so operations can continue under virtually any condition. Rather than replacing existing systems, each layer adds to the overall resilience of the response.
He expects capacity requirements to grow quickly as AI, drones, video analytics, and other data-intensive technologies become more deeply integrated into emergency operations. Allen Fire has already explored AI-assisted information access and real-time weather monitoring. "We can't even imagine the capacity that we will need," Boyd said.
For the Allen Fire Department, being prepared for the next generation of emergency response means building the people, systems, and communications infrastructure to put technology to work when every second matters.
__The real value of technology is not simply speed—it is the ability to recognize problems sooner, make decisions earlier, and act before conditions worsen.__
## Built for tomorrow’s emergencies. Ready today.
First responders deserve the ultimate in network performance and we are ready to deliver the 5G era of public safety now, with America’s first 5G slice that prioritizes public safety.
[Get the details](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority)
For qualifying emergency response organizations or individual first responders on eligible rate plans. Not available with Connecting Heroes rate plans.
## Built for tomorrow’s emergencies. Ready today.
## Recommended reading
MODERN POLICING
### Spokane County Sheriff’s Office delivers real-time intelligence to deputies in the field [Spokane County Sheriff’s Office delivers real-time intelligence to deputies in the field](https://www.t-mobile.com) Spokane County Sheriff’s Office delivers real-time intelligence to deputies in the field
[Read the article](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-resources/spokane-county-sheriff-real-time-intelligence)
## Spokane County Sheriff’s Office delivers real-time intelligence to deputies in the field
ADVANCED 5G CONNECTIVITY
### Volunteer firefighters leverage mobile solutions for safer operations [Volunteer firefighters leverage mobile solutions for safer operations](https://www.t-mobile.com) Volunteer firefighters leverage mobile solutions for safer operations
[Read the article](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-resources/fire-department-communications)
## Volunteer firefighters leverage mobile solutions for safer operations
ALL-IN-ONE 5G SMARTPHONES
### Elevating policing with smart technology [Elevating policing with smart technology](https://www.t-mobile.com) Elevating policing with smart technology
[Read the article](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/first-responder-resources/monroe-county-police-technology)
## Elevating policing with smart technology
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
### Fast, flexible, and always ready to support [Fast, flexible, and always ready to support](https://www.t-mobile.com) Fast, flexible, and always ready to support
[Read the article](https://www.t-mobile.com/t-priority/why-choose-t-priority/emergency-response-team)
## Fast, flexible, and always ready to support
## Got questions?
- ### What is T-Priority?
T-Priority is a T-Mobile public safety solution built on a dedicated network slice within its nationwide 5G Standalone network. It provides prioritized access for public safety users and can dynamically allocate additional network resources during periods of congestion, helping maintain the flow of operational data when demand is greatest.
- ### Why is priority access important for first responders?
Major incidents and large public events can generate significant increases in network traffic at the same time first responders are relying on connectivity to support emergency operations. Prioritized access helps ensure public safety users receive preference for network resources, when maintaining the flow of operational information can be especially important.
- ### What are the advantages of 5G for fire departments?
5G provides greater capacity and bandwidth with lower latency, supporting the growing flow of data used in modern emergency response—from mapping and live video to drones and real-time information. These capabilities also provide a foundation for increasingly data-intensive technologies such as AI.
- ### How does Allen Fire Department use T-Mobile connectivity?
Allen Fire Department uses the T-Mobile nationwide 5G Standalone network as part of a broader communications strategy supporting mobile information sharing and connected operations. For example, more than 150 CERT volunteers use smartphones, tablets, and rapidly deployable communications kits on the T-Mobile network.
- ### Why are capacity and priority becoming more important for public safety communications?
First responders increasingly depend on data as well as voice communications. Live video, drones, real-time location information, AI, and other emerging technologies can significantly increase the amount of information moving across public safety networks. Coverage remains essential, but agencies also need sufficient capacity and prioritized access to support increasingly data-intensive operations.
Share this page
- [](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Ft-priority%2Ffirst-responder-resources%2Fallen-fire-department)
- [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Ft-priority%2Ffirst-responder-resources%2Fallen-fire-department)
- [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Ft-priority%2Ffirst-responder-resources%2Fallen-fire-department&text=)
Let’s talk
Speak to an expert
## Follow T-Mobile for Business
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/t-mobile-business/?INTNAV=fNav%3ALinkedIn)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Tmobileforbusiness/)
- [X](https://twitter.com/TMobileBusiness/)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@t-mobileforbusiness)
### Choose language
- [English](https://www.t-mobile.com)
- [Español](https://www.t-mobile.com)
- ## Contact a Business Care Expert
Contact a Business Care Expert
- [Call 1-800-375-1126](tel:)
- [Contact an Expert](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/b2b-contact-information)
- ## Self-service Business Care
Self-service Business Care
- [My account log in](https://tfb.t-mobile.com/?INTNAV=fNav%3AMyAccountLogin)
- [Online support site](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/business)
- ## Plans
Plans
- [Business phone plans](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/wireless-business-plans)
- [International coverage](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/international-coverage)
- [Small Business Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/business-internet-services/small-business-internet)
- [Business Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/business-internet-services/business-internet)
- ## Resources
Resources
- [Reasons to switch](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/reasons-switch-t-mobile-business)
- [DIGITS](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/solutions/digits)
- [Merger benefits](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/t-mobile-sprint-merger-benefits)
- [Events](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/t-mobile-events-webinars)
- ## Segments & Industries
Segments & Industries
- [Small/Medium businesses](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/small-midsize-business)
- [Enterprise](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/enterprise)
- [Government](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/government)
- [Public safety](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/government/public-safety)
- [Education](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/education)
- [Libraries](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/industry-solutions/libraries)
- ## More from T-Mobile
More from T-Mobile
- [Wholesale](https://t-mobile.com/wholesale?INTNAV=fNav%3AWholesale)
- [Consumer wireless](https://www.t-mobile.com/)
- [T-Mobile Partners Program](https://www.t-mobile.com/business/partner-recruitment)
- [T-Mobile Partner Portal](https://businesspartners.t-mobile.com?INTNAV=fNav%3AT-MobilePartnerPortal)
[](https://www.t-mobile.com/)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tmobile/)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Tmobileforbusiness/)
- [X](https://twitter.com/TMobileBusiness/)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@t-mobileforbusiness)
- [About](https://www.t-mobile.com/about-us)
- [Investor relations](https://investor.t-mobile.com/investors/default.aspx?INTNAV=fNav%3AInvestorRelations)
- [Press](https://www.t-mobile.com/news)
- [Careers](https://www.t-mobile.com/careers)
- [Deutsche Telekom](https://www.telekom.com/en?INTNAV=fNav%3ADeutscheTelekom)
- [Puerto Rico](https://www.t-mobilepr.com/?INTNAV=fNav%3APuertoRico)
- [Privacy notice](https://www.t-mobile.com/privacy-center/our-practices/privacy-policy)
- [Trust Center](https://security.t-mobile.com/?INTNAV=fNav%3ATrustCenter)
- [Privacy Center](https://www.t-mobile.com/privacy-center)
- [Consumer information](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info)
- [Public safety/911](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info/safety/9-1-1)
- [Terms & conditions](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/legal/terms-and-conditions)
- [Terms of use](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info/policies/terms-of-use)
- [Accessibility](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info/accessibility-policy)
- [Open Internet](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info/policies/internet-service)
- [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://www.t-mobile.com)
- [Licenses & Patents](https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/legal/licenses-and-patents)
- This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tmobile/)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Tmobileforbusiness/)
- [X](https://twitter.com/TMobileBusiness/)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@t-mobileforbusiness)
© 2026 T‑Mobile USA, Inc.
## Built for tomorrow’s emergencies. Ready today.
## Spokane County Sheriff’s Office delivers real-time intelligence to deputies in the field
## Volunteer firefighters leverage mobile solutions for safer operations
## Elevating policing with smart technology
## Fast, flexible, and always ready to support