Verizon Communications Inc. and Mutualink Inc. have partnered to offer interoperable critical communications services to first responders.

The services will allow first responders and related entities to securely connect their organization's networks to communicate and share real-time video and critical information.

Based on a software-centric model, Mutualink is a service that allows connections between smartphones, video cameras and land mobile radios, among other devices.

"In times of emergency and crisis, it is important for everyone — first responders from different agencies, schools, hospitals and others — to have real time, on demand cross-agency communications. Mutualink allows Verizon to provide that level of communication to our customers," Mike Maiorana, senior vice president of public sector at Verizon, said in an Oct. 9 statement.

Verizon offers first responders access to its public safety private core, a software-defined network that manages traffic between commercial and public safety customers.