FirstNet Authority Supports Reliable Public Safety Communications at St. Thomas Carniva

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – The annual St. Thomas Carnival, a vibrant celebration drawing over 10,000 attendees, brings together lively parades, water sports, traditional cuisine, and music in a weeklong showcase of culture and community. With the influx of visitors and numerous simultaneous events, ensuring effective communication among first responders is paramount for public safety.

To address these operational complexities, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ public safety agencies partnered with the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) Network Engagement Experience Program (NEEP) to prepare for the 73rd annual Carnival. The program, offered at no cost to subscribing agencies, provides comprehensive pre-incident planning, post-event reviews, and exercise coordination.

In advance of the event, FirstNet Authority staff collaborated with agencies including the Bureau of Corrections, Bureau of Information Technology, Police Department, Port Authority, and Territorial Emergency Management Agency. Together, they assessed critical communication requirements for key events such as boat races, food fairs, and parades, reviewing the coverage footprint and existing infrastructure to ensure robust operations. The team confirmed that existing FirstNet devices and infrastructure were sufficient, eliminating the need for deployable assets.

Throughout Carnival week, FirstNet Authority remained on site, offering real-time network performance monitoring and support. The NEEP team demonstrated critical network tools such as the FirstNet Uplift Request Tool, which enhances network access for extended primary users like public works and hospitals during periods of high demand. Additional training on FirstNet Central enabled agencies to further optimize their operational communication capabilities.

This collaborative approach, leveraging FirstNet’s advanced broadband coverage and strategic planning, ensured seamless, reliable communications for public safety personnel during the St. Thomas Carnival, reinforcing the critical role of network resilience for large-scale community events in the U.S. Virgin Islands.