As reported by Verizon Frontline, the latest Public Safety Communications Survey gathered responses from nearly 1,700 public safety professionals across emergency medical services, fire, and police departments.
These professionals emphasized the growing importance of reliability in their communication networks, with 65% ranking it as their top priority, an increase from last year’s 51%.
Additionally, 30% of respondents identified reliability as the most significant benefit of 5G connectivity.
However, confidence in emergency preparedness has declined, with only 60% of respondents feeling prepared for natural disasters, down from 69% in 2022.
The Verizon Frontline survey also revealed an increase in concerns over cybersecurity.
More than a third (34%) of respondents expressed feeling “somewhat unprepared” or “neutral” about their level of preparedness for a cyberattack, reflecting a growing unease.
Two years ago, only 25% of respondents shared this sentiment, indicating a shift in focus towards cybersecurity risks.
The results highlight that while technological advancements like 5G are providing new tools, there are still critical areas such as cybersecurity where professionals feel vulnerable, demonstrating a need for further investment and preparedness in this area.
While the use of AI and smart technologies has not yet reached widespread adoption in public safety, the survey findings suggest that many agencies are looking ahead to future developments.
Only 14% of agencies are currently using AI or smart solutions, but 75% of respondents believe these technologies will play an essential role in the future.
Public safety professionals view AI as a tool to enhance resource allocation, situational awareness, and early warning systems.
The potential for AI and smart technology in the public safety sector continues to grow as professionals explore its future uses in emergency response.
The survey also showed that deployable assets like portable satellite equipment and cells on wheels (COWs) are becoming critical to emergency response operations.
Currently, 64% of respondents said these assets are important to their work, with 86% expecting deployables to become even more essential in the future.
These portable solutions allow public safety professionals to maintain communication networks during emergency situations, where permanent infrastructure may be compromised.
Their rising importance is reflective of the industry’s ongoing shift toward more flexible, resilient technologies for mission-critical operations.
The 2024 Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, conducted with input from nearly 1,700 public safety professionals, revealed a focus on reliability and emerging technologies.
Reliability of communication networks was named the top priority by 65% of respondents, up from 51% last year.
Concerns about preparedness for both natural disasters and cyberattacks have grown, with fewer respondents feeling adequately prepared compared to previous years.
The survey also showed limited current use of AI and smart solutions but high expectations for their future importance.
Deployable assets like portable satellite equipment are increasingly seen as critical for maintaining communication in emergency response situations, with 86% of respondents anticipating their growing importance.
