The historic wildfires in western Nebraska earlier this year reinforced the importance of reliable communication during emergencies. Disasters do not stop at county lines, and effective coordination among first responders is essential to protecting lives and communities. In response to communication challenges experienced during the March 2026 wildfires, Governor Jim Pillen established the Statewide Public Safety Communications Task Force through Executive Order 26-24. I have the opportunity to serve alongside NACO Executive Director Jon Cannon and Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller, working with state agencies, emergency responders, and other stakeholders to identify challenges and recommend improvements.
During our initial meetings, discussions focused on aging radio infrastructure, rural coverage gaps, interoperability between systems, training needs, and sustainable funding. While existing systems generally support daily operations, significant challenges remain when large-scale emergencies require multiple agencies and jurisdictions to communicate and coordinate effectively.
These concerns have also been echoed by county officials across Nebraska. In preparation for the task force discussions, I reached out to several county sheriffs, emergency managers, and highway superintendents to gather firsthand feedback on the challenges they face. Their experiences reinforce the need for practical solutions that address both communication reliability and the financial realities of local government.
Building on these concerns, NACO joined county officials and local leaders from across Nebraska in a letter to Governor Pillen requesting consideration of potential Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) non-deployment funds for local needs assessments and improvements to emergency communications equipment, infrastructure, broadband connectivity, and interoperability. The letter included firsthand accounts from local responders and emphasized the importance of strengthening public safety without placing additional financial burdens on counties.
As this work moves forward, the task force is exploring both improvements and long-term solutions, including infrastructure modernization, emerging technologies, improved interoperability, expanded training, and sustainable funding opportunities. NACO's priority is ensuring counties have a voice in these discussions and that recommendations reflect the geographic, operational, and financial realities of local government.
As the task force develops recommendations for Governor Pillen, we encourage county officials to continue sharing their experiences and challenges with NACO. Your input is invaluable as we work toward practical, financially sustainable solutions that strengthen public safety communications across Nebraska.
For more information, contact Jon.Cannon@NebraskaCounties.org or Candace.Meredith@NebraskaCounties.org.
