Green Bay, Wis. — The Green Bay Metro Fire Department is transforming incident command and responder coordination by combining the U.S. government's Team Awareness Kit (TAK) with FirstNet®, the nationwide public safety broadband network. The integrated solution provides incident commanders with a real-time common operating picture, enabling faster decision-making, enhanced responder safety, and more effective coordination during both planned events and emergency incidents.

Originally introduced as an exploratory technology initiative, TAK has evolved into a core operational platform for the department. Running on a locally managed server and powered by FirstNet connectivity, the system provides live location tracking, digital map overlays, resource coordination, and real-time situational awareness across personnel, apparatus, and command staff.

The platform proved its value during the 2025 NFL Draft, when Green Bay hosted hundreds of thousands of visitors under complex security and operational conditions. Prior to the event, fire personnel created digital operational zones and overlaid event infrastructure onto TAK's interactive maps. Throughout the event, commanders monitored personnel movements in real time, identified the closest available resources, and redirected crews without relying solely on voice radio communications.

By shifting routine location updates from radio traffic to data-driven situational awareness, command staff reduced radio congestion while improving response times and multi-agency coordination.

TAK has also enhanced operations during large community events, including marathons and road races. Instead of relying on paper maps and preplanned staging assignments, Green Bay Metro Fire now overlays race routes, medical tents, water stations, traffic control points, and emergency resources onto digital maps. Incident commanders can immediately identify the closest available unit, monitor race progression, and dynamically reposition resources as conditions change.

Beyond special events, the department has incorporated TAK into everyday operations. The platform supports apparatus tracking, marine rescue coordination, fleet management, and IT operations, giving personnel greater visibility into department resources while improving operational efficiency.

The technology was further validated during one of Green Bay's largest fire incidents in decades—a massive warehouse fire that occurred during a historic blizzard in March 2026. More than 100 firefighters from multiple agencies responded to the week-long incident. Operating from a mobile command vehicle connected via FirstNet, command staff integrated TAK with drone imagery to identify hotspots, coordinate suppression efforts, monitor personnel locations, and manage resources throughout the extended operation.

The combination of TAK and FirstNet created a resilient, interoperable operating environment that supported real-time collaboration across responding agencies while strengthening firefighter accountability and command decision-making.

Today, Green Bay Metro Fire views TAK not as a specialty application, but as a foundational component of its operational strategy. From routine emergency responses to complex multi-agency incidents, the platform provides continuous visibility into personnel and resources while supporting faster deployment, improved interoperability, and enhanced responder safety.

As public safety agencies continue to modernize emergency communications, Green Bay Metro Fire's implementation demonstrates how geospatial situational awareness platforms, combined with reliable broadband connectivity, can significantly improve command effectiveness and operational resilience across a wide range of incident types.