Posted by Content Marketing on 01 April 2026
Transforming Public Safety Communications and Infrastructure
In an era where technology evolves at lightning speed, the systems that underpin public safety must keep pace. Two recent sessions, "NG911 From Legacy to the Cloud: Real-World Lessons in Modernizing Emergency Communications" and "Mission Critical: Why the 4.9 GHz Band is Crucial for Public Safety," shed light on how leaders in public safety are embracing innovation to enhance emergency response and communication systems. These discussions highlighted the challenges, lessons learned, and the promising future of public safety technology.
NG911: From Legacy to the Cloud
Emergency communication centers, or Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), are the backbone of public safety. However, many still rely on outdated, on-premises technology that limits their ability to adapt to modern demands. This session brought together three leaders—Desiree Arnold (Director, Atlanta Police Department), Karima Holmes (Vice President, Head of Public Safety, Carbyne), and Billy Ferguson (9-1-1 IT Supervisor, Charleston County Public Safety)—to share their experiences transitioning to cloud-native platforms.
Key Takeaways
The Decision to Modernize Billy Ferguson emphasized the public's expectation that 911 systems should always know their location and provide immediate assistance. However, legacy systems often fall short of this expectation. The decision to move to Next Generation 911 (NG911) was driven by the need to meet these expectations and address the limitations of analog technology.
Implementation and Change Management Transitioning to NG911 required a robust implementation strategy. Ferguson highlighted the importance of starting with the underlying network infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity. Change management was also critical, as changes made in one area could have ripple effects elsewhere. Teams worked in lockstep to ensure the system was built as intended.
Desiree Arnold noted that one of the biggest challenges was getting people to change their habits. This required clear communication and training to ensure that staff and callers used the new technology effectively.
Lessons Learned The panelists shared several challenges they faced during the transition:
Network connectivity issues and misaligned routing protocols.
The complexity of integrating new systems with legacy equipment.
The need for a pre-screen queue to triage calls and ensure efficient communication.
Despite these hurdles, the move to NG911 has already shown significant benefits, including improved flexibility, collaboration, and resilience.
The Importance of Partnerships Building strong relationships was a recurring theme. Ferguson stressed that everyone involved in the transition—both internal teams and external partners—needed to be on the same page. Effective communication was as crucial as the technology itself.
The 4.9 GHz Band: A Crucial Resource for Public Safety
Stephen Devine, Chief Technology Officer at APCO International, led a session on the importance of the 4.9 GHz band for public safety. Originally allocated to public safety on a geographic basis, the band has faced challenges in adoption and utilization. However, it remains a critical resource for the future of public safety communications.
Key Takeaways
The History and Challenges The 4.9 GHz band was initially allocated to public safety without formal inter-agency coordination, which led to underutilization and a lack of confidence in its mission-critical capabilities. This, in turn, hindered the development of a robust ecosystem of devices and solutions.
The Future of the 4.9 GHz Band As public safety's equivalent of a 5G band, the 4.9 GHz spectrum offers sufficient bandwidth to support new technologies and architectural shifts. These advancements promise improved throughput, efficiency, and services for public safety users.
Opportunities Ahead By leveraging the 4.9 GHz band, public safety agencies can explore innovative solutions that enhance their ability to respond to emergencies. The session emphasized the need for collaboration and strategic planning to fully realize the potential of this critical resource.
Final Thoughts
Both sessions underscored the importance of innovation in public safety. Whether it's transitioning to cloud-native platforms or leveraging the 4.9 GHz band, these advancements are not just about technology—they're about saving lives. By embracing change, building strong partnerships, and learning from challenges, public safety leaders are paving the way for a safer, more connected future.