Critical Connections

From 13 years in law enforcement to helping build the technology used by first responders – Scott Montgomery’s career path is nothing short of remarkable.
In this episode of Critical Connections, Dejero’s Ivy Cuervo and Kevin Fernandes sit down with Montgomery, who went from the frontlines of a SWAT team to Business Development Manager for Law Enforcement at Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Together, they discuss the evolution of public safety technology, the growing role of connectivity in modern policing, and how innovations like Amazon Leo, satellite communications, drones, and real-time data could transform emergency response in the years ahead.
For public safety professionals, technology leaders, first responders, and anyone interested in the future of connectivity, this episode offers an inside look at the innovations shaping the next generation of public safety.
 
Learn more:
AWS Public Safety: https://aws.amazon.com
Dejero: https://dejero.com
 

Targa Newfoundland is North America’s only tarmac rally — a 2,000 km motorsport event that crosses more than 130 communities across Newfoundland, challenging competitors with winding coastal roads, unpredictable terrain, and long stretches where connectivity can disappear entirely.
In this episode of Critical Connections, host Ivy Cuervo, Director of Brand and Communications at Dejero, and co-host Kevin Fernandes, Chief Revenue Officer at Dejero, explore the operational challenges of running a rally at this scale — from connectivity gaps and safety coordination to real-time communication across remote areas.
Joining the conversation are Robert Giannou, Co-Founder and Chairman of Targa Newfoundland, and Corey Finkelstein, Board of Governors member and competitor at Targa. Together they share the story behind the rally, the realities of managing an event across remote communities, and why reliable communication is critical to running a safe, world-class motorsport event.
As Targa approaches its 25th anniversary, the rally is also welcoming Dejero as its official connectivity partner, helping strengthen communications across the course and support race operations in some of the most connectivity-challenged environments.
Learn more about Targa Newfoundland: targanfld.com

When communication fails, operations fail.
In this episode of Critical Connections, host Ivy Cuervo introduces Dejero Titan Command: an industry-first triple 5G router and connectivity platform built for public safety and mission-critical operations. Years in the making, Titan Command is the first release in the Dejero Titan product family.
Designed for law enforcement, emergency services, and the most connectivity-challenged environments, it features three independent 5G modems, integrated antennas, GPS, and powered by Dejero Smart Blending Technology.
The result: resilient, mission-critical connectivity for agencies that cannot afford downtime.
In this lively conversation, we explore:
Why public safety agencies demanded something fundamentally different
The engineering challenges of integrating three 5G modems into a single ruggedized gateway
How Smart Blending Technology aggregates multiple cellular networks simultaneously
Why network redundancy and independence are critical for emergency operations
The role of reliable connectivity in managing threat, harm and risk
For public safety leaders, emergency managers, and technology decision-makers, this episode offers insight into the future of mission-critical communications infrastructure.
Titan Command is available now: dejero.com/titan

In the first episode of season 2, Critical Connections host Ivy Cuervo and co-host Michael Stanton from Dejero speak with Richard Price, retired fire chief and Founder & President of the PulsePoint Foundation, about how community-powered technology can save lives in the critical moments before first responders arrive. When cardiac arrest happens outside a hospital, survival comes down to minutes.
Richard shares the moment that changed everything: he was having lunch when sirens stopped nearby. A cardiac arrest was happening next door and despite decades in the fire service, CPR training, and an AED close by, he had no way of knowing in time to help. That experience sparked PulsePoint: technology that alerts CPR-trained bystanders and helps bring AEDs to the scene faster.
Episode highlights:
The origin story behind PulsePoint — and the “aha” moment
Why bystanders are essential to improving cardiac arrest outcomes
The AED problem: devices exist, but people often don’t know where they are
The National Emergency AED Registry (NEAR) and how it supports 911 dispatch
What’s next: wearables and expanding community-powered response
Want to learn more or get involved?
If you’re CPR trained, download PulsePoint Respond
Learn more: pulsepoint.org
Explore the AED registry: nearregistry.org
 

In this episode of Critical Connections, two retired Border Patrol veterans share how border security tech has transformed over the last 25 years. Eddie Wagner, now at MissionRT, and Alejandro Cavazos, Business Development Advisor at Dejero, reflect on field realities and why reliable connectivity now underpins modern border operations.
They trace the shift from Vietnam-era sensors to AI-enabled drones, body-worn tech capable of livestreaming 22 miles offshore, and resilient mesh networks built to work where coverage once didn’t exist. They also unpack why fiber infrastructure matters, how body-cams protect both officers and communities, and the growing role of tools like ATAK phones in autonomous field work.
Highlights:
Tech evolution from 1999 to today
Connectivity in remote environments
Body-worn cameras and transparency
ATAK devices for field operations
Fiber optics as the future backbone
Building the case for government tech investment
Policy momentum shaping border modernization
Whether you're in law enforcement, government technology, or simply interested in how innovation is solving real-world challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology, public safety, and national security.

When wildfires rage across remote mountains and cellular towers go dark, how do first responders maintain the critical communications they need to save lives?
In this episode of Critical Connections, we meet with Scott Davis from Pelsue Communications to explore the cutting-edge solutions keeping emergency teams connected when traditional networks fail.
Discover how rapid deployment satellite systems and smart network blending technology are revolutionizing emergency response. Learn why disasters that "start quickly, spread faster" demand connectivity solutions that can be deployed in under 5 minutes.
You'll discover:
The unique challenges facing wildland firefighters and search & rescue teams
How satellite technology achieves lightning-fast deployment
Why network blending creates unbreakable connections in extreme environments
Real-world applications from Colorado's challenging terrain
Plus, hear about our upcoming live demonstration on August 21st in Clear Creek Canyon, where we'll showcase real search & rescue operations using these mission-critical technologies.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more: Pelsue.com | Dejero.com

In this episode of Critical Connections, host Ivy Cuervo explores the transformation of modern construction sites into high-tech hubs. She’s joined by Rick Bertoncin, Director of IT and Security at Gallagher-Kaiser, and James Kay, Dejero’s Business Development Manager for Enterprise.
 
Gallagher-Kaiser builds million-square-foot automotive paint facilities over several years—massive projects that rely on cutting-edge tools like virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital twin technology. Rick shares how these job sites, which often house up to 100 workers, demand reliable internet from day one—despite being in remote locations with no fiber access.
 
Key Topics:
Modern construction technology and virtual reality applications
Connectivity challenges in remote construction sites
Dejero's Smart Blending Technology and multi-carrier solutions
Digital twin technology and AI in construction
The future of construction site operations
 
🎧Tune in to learn how connectivity is reshaping the construction industry.
👉 Learn more about Dejero’s critical connectivity solutions at dejero.com.

When you hear "artificial intelligence," what comes to mind? Fear of job loss? Sci-fi robots? Or the promise of innovation? In this episode, we explore how AI is already transforming public safety — from predictive policing to streamlined emergency response — and tackle the big questions about ethics, trust, and change management.
 
🎯 What We Cover:
How AI is changing emergency response and 911 operations
Overcoming resistance to change in high-stakes environments
Microsoft's new AiRS (Advanced Incident Response System)
Why connectivity is critical for AI systems to work in real-time
Real client success stories from early AI adopters
The truth about AI replacing humans vs. enhancing capabilities
Freeing up officers to focus on what they love: investigation and critical thinking
 
🎙️ Expert Panel:
Christopher Blake Carver - Director of Market Development, Hexagon Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial (Former NENA 911 Association)
Sai Narain - Director of Technology Strategy, State & Local Government, Public Safety & Justice, Microsoft
Kevin Fernandes - Chief Revenue Officer, Dejero
Ivy Cuervo (Host) - Director of Brand & Communications, Dejero
 
🚨 Critical for Public Safety:
At the heart of AI innovation is connectivity — ensuring AI-powered tools can respond in real-time during life-or-death situations. Discover how Dejero and Microsoft are partnering to close the information gap and push technology to the edge.
 
🔗 Useful Links:
Learn about Dejero's public safety solutions: https://www.dejero.com/industry/public-safety
Book a demo: https://www.dejero.com/contact-sales

When every second counts, reliable connectivity can make all the difference. In this episode of Critical Connections, we sit down with Lieutenant Ben Jones from the Winston-Salem Police Department as he reveals how their Real Time Crime Center is solving critical cases—from shootings to missing persons—in mere minutes.
Discover how Dejero connectivity technology is empowering law enforcement to respond:
Faster to emergencies
Smarter with critical data
More effectively in high-stakes situations
This game-changing approach to public safety isn't just impressive—it's saving lives in our communities every day.
Ready to transform your operation's connectivity strategy? Watch our full interview now! 
 
📺 SUBSCRIBE for pro insights: youtube.com/@DejeroLabs
 
🔍 Explore Dejero tech: https://www.dejero.com/industry/public-safety 
 
📞 See Dejero in action: dejero.com/contact-sales

TJC’s live TV shopping network reaches 30+ million homes–and every seamless broadcast depends on rock-solid connectivity. In this episode of Critical Connections, broadcast managers Victoria Roche and Martin Willingham reveal how Dejero technology keeps their live broadcasts running flawlessly–from fast setup to uninterrupted streaming. 
 
🔗 Watch now & level up your workflow! 👇
 
📺 SUBSCRIBE for pro insights: youtube.com/@DejeroLabs
 
🔍 Explore Dejero’s tech: dejero.com/industry/broadcast
 
📞 Book a demo & see it in action: dejero.com/contact-sales