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Ensuring Safety at the 2026 World Cup: The Power of TAK and FirstNet

Charles Hardnett  (Senior Public Safety Advisor, FirstNet Authority)

Blake VanPelt  (Senior Police Officer/ Crime Analyst , Houston Police Department)

Charles Laird  (State Fair Technologist, NCDIT FirstTech)

Eric Mekosch  (FWPD SWAT, Ft. Worth Police Department)

Track: Government & Enterprise

Topics: Broadband, Regulatory & Legal + Standards, Situational Awareness, Video

Format: Panel Session

Vault Recording: TBD

The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across 11 cities in the United States, will witness a significant advancement in inter-agency coordination and communication, thanks to the integration of the Team Awareness Kit (TAK) over FirstNet. TAK, a robust situational awareness platform developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, has been adopted by the Department of Homeland Security and is now a pivotal tool for public safety and emergency response teams. It offers real-time messaging, mapping, video streaming, and other critical capabilities, all of which are crucial for managing large-scale events like the World Cup. Enhanced by FirstNet's high-speed, reliable network designed for first responders, TAK operates seamlessly on both Android and iOS devices, ensuring a unified operational picture and swift coordination among agencies. This technological synergy can play a key role in the safety and security operations during the World Cup, providing an unprecedented level of tactical situational awareness and collaboration among participating organizations. Join us for a discussion about how these valuable technologies can work together to enhance public safety operations.

Takeaway

1. Enhanced Inter-Agency Coordination: Understanding how TAK and FirstNet facilitate seamless communication and coordination among various public safety and emergency response agencies.
2. Real-Time Situational Awareness: Learning about the capabilities of TAK in providing real-time messaging, mapping, and video streaming, which are crucial for managing large-scale events.
3. Public Safety and Security: Exploring how these technologies contribute to the safety and security operations during the World Cup, enhancing tactical situational awareness and collaboration.
4. Operational Efficiency: Understanding the impact of these technologies on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response teams during large-scale events.