FirstNet emergency communications were deployed across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, as public safety agencies responded to what was described as the strongest typhoon of the year in the region.
FirstNet Built with AT&T said its FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG), working in collaboration with local telecom providers, was deployed on the ground in Guam and Saipan to support emergency communications operations.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall with sustained winds exceeding 150 mph, equivalent to a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, impacting infrastructure and emergency operations across the Pacific territories.
To support rapid response efforts, FirstNet said each Pacific territory maintains a deployable asset as part of its dedicated fleet. Following the storm, public safety officials submitted six emergency support requests, prompting the deployment of four Satellite Cell on Wheels (SatCOWs) and two Mini Compact Rapid Deployables (MiniCRDs) across Guam and Saipan.
The company said additional deployable assets, satellite solutions and in-building communications technology were also sent to support response and recovery operations.
“These assets help boost network capacity for public safety, deliver reliable connectivity, and support ongoing response and recovery efforts across impacted communities,” the company said.
“FirstNet is dedicated to public safety across the Pacific territories,” said Sebastian Donaruma, FirstNet ROG Division chief, AT&T. “We are on the ground in Guam and Saipan to give first responders the coverage and capabilities they need to keep people safe and help with recovery efforts in the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.”
FirstNet said the Pacific territories face unique operational challenges during natural disasters because of their remote geography and limited transportation access when infrastructure is damaged.
The company said on-island deployable assets are maintained year-round in each Pacific territory based on feedback from local public safety agencies, allowing emergency services to access communications support more quickly during disaster events.
FirstNet, developed in partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, said it continues to work with federal, state, tribal, territorial and local public safety officials to address emergency connectivity needs across the US and its territories.
