Strategic Partnership to Enhance Public Safety: FirstWave Teams Up with Sheriff Rich Stanek (Ret.)

FirstWave Strategies, LLC announces strategic partnership, expanding law enforcement reach and expertise with Sheriff Rich Stanek (Ret.) and the Public Safety Strategies Group.

At FirstWave Strategies (FWS), our mission has always been clear: to equip innovators with the strategies, tools, and relationships they need to deliver real impact for first responders and public safety operations. Today, we are excited to announce a powerful new partnership with Sheriff Rich Stanek (Ret.) and the Public Safety Strategies Group (PSSG). This collaboration will expand our reach into law enforcement leadership nationwide and deepen the breadth of expertise we bring to our clients.

A Personal Connection, Renewed

I first worked with Sheriff Stanek during his time as Vice Chair of the FirstNet Authority Board. Together, we met with Governors in state capitals and in Washington, D.C. at the National Governors Association conference, helping advance the first nationwide public safety broadband network. Sheriff Stanek’s leadership and credibility with national, state, and local officials played a critical role in building the support needed for FirstNet’s success.

Years later, I’m thrilled to team up with him again. His unmatched reach into major county sheriffs, law enforcement executives, and public safety associations across America provides our clients with direct access to the leaders and influencers who shape the future of public safety.

Complementary Strengths for Our Clients

This partnership is about more than relationships. It’s about pairing complementary expertise to better serve innovators, agencies, and companies working in public safety.

At FWS, my work has always focused on:

• Policy and Advocacy: Opening markets through government funding, legislation, and regulatory engagement.

• Go-to-Market Engineering and Execution: From early sales strategy to scaling growth across public safety markets.

• Technology Ecosystem Expertise: Deep knowledge of public safety technology adoption and integrations, from 5G and LEO satellite networks to AI, 3D location, mapping and situational awareness platforms, and beyond.

With PSSG, we are adding unmatched expertise in:

• Law Enforcement Operations and Leadership: Decades of command-level and elected leadership experience across major city and county agencies.

• Procurement and Policy Guidance: Advising on public finance, grants, and compliance in state and local government.

• National Influence and Advocacy: A trusted voice in organizations like the Major County Sheriffs of America, National Sheriffs’ Association, and International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Together, FWS and PSSG bring an end-to-end approach, combining operational leadership and influence with strategic policy, advocacy, and go-to-market execution, to ensure that technology innovators can connect with the public safety market effectively, and that agencies get the tools they need to protect their communities.

Why This Matters for Our Clients

For technology companies looking to expand into the public safety sector, navigating the ecosystem can be daunting. Success depends on more than a great product. It requires understanding procurement, building trusted relationships with decision-makers, and aligning solutions to real-world operational needs.

By partnering with Sheriff Stanek and PSSG, FWS clients now gain:

• Direct access to law enforcement leaders and influencers nationwide.

• A deeper bench of expertise spanning operations, procurement, advocacy, and technology.

• The ability to scale faster by combining strategy with execution, relationships with policy, and innovation with credibility.

Looking Ahead

This partnership is just the first of many steps as FWS continues to expand our capabilities and reach in the public safety market. We are committed to bringing together the best minds in public safety and technology to help our clients succeed, and, most importantly, to ensure that first responders and communities have the tools they need to stay safe.

I’m honored to stand alongside Sheriff Stanek once again, and excited for what this partnership means for our clients and for public safety innovation nationwide.

Drew Delaney

Founder & CEO, FirstWave Strategies

Subject Matter Expert, Public Safety Strategies Group