By EMS1 Staff
LAFAYETTE, La. — Acadian Ambulance opted in to FirstNet in an effort to better serve patients by connecting to the national public safety broadband network.
According to an AT&T press release, Acadian Ambulance Director Joey Branton said FirstNet will help the agency “give patients the best possible care.”
“Our connected medical devices share important information with hospitals,” Branton said. “From voice and data to photos and video, being able to send that information while en route to the hospital is crucial. It can make the difference in getting patients to the proper treatment centers and, ultimately, saving lives. Whether it’s during a routine call, a widespread disaster or even just a large event, FirstNet gives us the connectivity we need to give patients the best possible care.”
Acadian Ambulance is utilizing FirstNet through handheld devices and mobile gateways in its ambulances, and Branton said they’ve already seen the benefits of the network in situations such as mass-casualties and other large scale incidents.
“We’re only going to see an increased need for sharing more and more data in near real time,” Branton said. “With wide-scale adoption, FirstNet can make solutions that we’ve only dreamed of a reality.”