The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) have been nationally recognized for their efforts to enhance public safety communications. The First Responder Network Authority honored the agencies with the Patriot Award for their utilization of FirstNet, a broadband network dedicated to first responders, to improve emergency communication systems, especially during significant events.
During a recent ceremony at the 5x5 Public Safety Innovation Summit in Bellevue, Washington, the agencies were praised for their initiatives. Commissioner Jeff Long of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security highlighted the critical nature of connectivity in crises. "Public safety is about people, and people need to be able to reach each other in a crisis," Long said, per the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. He commended the collaboration and planning that led to the award, emphasizing that the goal is to ensure "help can get where it’s needed and that no call for help ever goes unheard."
The commitment of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and TACN to public safety was notably evident following the March 2020 tornado outbreak. The state relied on FirstNet's priority access and a range of technical capabilities to maintain essential communications after a public safety radio tower was severely damaged. This adaptability was again on display during the response to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, where TACN was crucial in keeping rescue teams connected in East Tennessee, as documented on the SafetyTN official YouTube channel.
"This was a real test of our ability to adapt," Tennessee Highway Patrol’s commanding officer, Colonel Matt Perry, acknowledged in the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's release. He noted that FirstNet's tools were instrumental in maintaining field connections, coordinating damage assessments, and continuing to serve the community when conventional systems were compromised. Post the challenging events, both agencies have since increased their reliance on FirstNet, integrating the technology with the state's land mobile radio systems.
