Federal authorities are demanding increased oversight of the FirstNet emergency network, operated by AT&T. This publicly funded communications system has failed during critical disasters, including a 2024 nationwide outage that disrupted emergency services. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for regulatory changes following these failures, questioning the effectiveness of the billion-dollar infrastructure.

The network breakdown had immediate consequences for first responders. During the AT&T outage, ambulance crews in Fort Worth, Texas, couldn't transmit electronic medical records to hospitals or use GPS for vehicle dispatches, according to emergency medical technician Matt Zavadsky. These failures compromised emergency medical services when they were needed most.

The FirstNet network represents a multibillion-dollar investment in emergency communications. Lawmakers cite these failures as evidence the system needs stronger accountability measures. The bipartisan push for oversight reflects growing concerns about the reliability of critical infrastructure during disasters, with implications for public safety and national security.