KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Navajo Nation is adding routers to its emergency service vehicles

The Navajo Nation is installing routers on emergency response vehicles to boost signals when people need help. 

Routers have so far been installed on 300 police, fire and other emergency vehicles. They are intended to boost cellphone signals four to eight times stronger than those signals can transmit on their own from up to 50 yards away from the vehicle. 

The routers are provided by FirstNet, which started implementing the first responder technology on the Navajo Nation in 2021. 

The Navajo Nation council speaker said the routers are needed in rural areas where often, the only access to make emergency calls is driving to the nearest chapter house to place a wifi call. 

A total of 414 routers are expected to be installed.

More stories from KJZZ

Fronteras Desk senior editor Michel Marizco is an award-winning investigative reporter based in Flagstaff.