Verizon Frontline survey: Network reliability, 5G, cybersecurity, top of mind for first responders

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon Frontline's 2024 Public Safety Communications Survey reveals key insights into first responders' technology priorities. 65% of respondents identified network reliability as their top concern, up from 51% last year. The survey also found that 66% of first responders view 5G as important or a top priority.

Notably, 75% of respondents believe AI will be important for public safety agencies in the future. However, only 14% currently use AI or smart solutions. First responders see AI potentially optimizing resource allocation (24%), enhancing situational awareness (23%), and improving early warning systems (20%).

The survey also highlighted growing concerns about preparedness for natural disasters and cyberattacks. Only 60% felt prepared for natural disasters, down from 69% in 2022. Similarly, 34% felt somewhat unprepared or neutral about cybersecurity readiness, up from 25% two years ago.

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• 65% of first responders identified a reliable and resilient network as the most important factor in day-to-day communications.
• A majority of first responders (66%) see 5G as a “top priority” or “important”
• 75% believed AI would be anywhere from “somewhat important” to a “top priority” for public safety agencies in the future
  

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Frontline today revealed the findings of a survey of nearly 1,700 public safety professionals from emergency medical services, fire and police departments, and emergency management agencies, including public safety answering points and emergency call centers.

Now in its fourth year, the Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, commissioned by Verizon Frontline and conducted by Lexipol, asked respondents about their current and future technology use, network connectivity and 5G, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, and outlook on how 5G and advances in communications technology may impact their work in the field.

The findings reflect first responders’ current priorities and their expectations for the future with regard to network connectivity, devices and other technologies, and the evolution of emergency response.

“Every day, for more than three decades, we’ve been working hand-in-hand with first responders and public safety agencies on the front lines so we can continue to meet their highly unique mission-critical communications needs,” said Massimo Peselli, Chief Revenue Officer, Global Enterprise and Public Sector for Verizon Business. “Each year, this survey provides us with another way to hear from public safety professionals across the nation and offers deeper insight into the ever-evolving technological requirements of those who sacrifice so much to protect our communities.”

The Results:

Reliability and readiness growing in importance

In terms of communications needs today, public safety professionals placed reliability at the top of the list. In fact, 65% of respondents stated that a reliable and resilient network was their top priority, up from 51% from last year. Additionally, almost a third of respondents (30%) cited reliability as the most important benefit of 5G connectivity.

Natural disasters and the threat of cyberattacks remain a real concern for public safety professionals but this year’s survey results indicated diminished confidence in preparedness for both. As opposed to 2022, in which 69% of respondents felt prepared from a technology standpoint in the face of a natural disaster, this year that number decreased to 60%.

From a cybersecurity perspective, a similar increase in concern can be seen. More than a third (34%) of respondents this year felt “somewhat unprepared” or “neutral” about preparedness for a cyberattack. Two years ago, only a quarter of respondents felt this way.

First responders are embracing advances in communications tech

The survey data indicated that public safety usage of AI or smart solutions is far from achieving critical mass, with only a small percentage (14%) of public safety agencies reporting using AI or smart solutions today. There is, however, growing excitement on the role these technologies will play in shaping the future of the industry.

In fact, 75% of respondents believe that AI and smart solutions will be important or even a top priority in the future. As far as how they felt they would benefit from this technology, public safety professionals named optimizing resource allocation (24%), enhancing situational awareness (23%) and improving early warning systems (20%) as the most valuable uses of AI.

Additionally, even as deployables like portable satellite assets or cells on wheels (COWs) are gaining widespread adoption during emergency response operations, respondents see these assets only growing in importance. In fact, while 64% of respondents stated that deployable assets are important to the work they do today, 86% stated that they will become either important or a top priority in the future for public safety professionals.

To see the full results of the Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey, click here.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact:
Eric Durie
eric.durie@verizon.com
516-382-8219

FAQ

What percentage of first responders prioritize network reliability according to Verizon's 2024 survey?

According to Verizon's 2024 Public Safety Communications Survey, 65% of first responders identified a reliable and resilient network as their top priority for day-to-day communications.

How do first responders view the importance of 5G technology in Verizon's latest survey?

Verizon's survey revealed that 66% of first responders see 5G as either a 'top priority' or 'important' for their work.

What percentage of public safety professionals believe AI will be important in the future, according to Verizon's survey?

The Verizon Frontline survey found that 75% of public safety professionals believe AI will be anywhere from 'somewhat important' to a 'top priority' for public safety agencies in the future.

How has first responders' preparedness for natural disasters changed since 2022, based on Verizon's survey?

Verizon's survey indicates a decrease in preparedness for natural disasters. In 2022, 69% of respondents felt prepared from a technology standpoint, while in 2024, this number decreased to 60%.

What are the top potential benefits of AI for public safety, according to Verizon's 2024 survey?

According to Verizon's survey, public safety professionals see the top potential benefits of AI as optimizing resource allocation (24%), enhancing situational awareness (23%), and improving early warning systems (20%).