Reliable communications are fundamentally important for public-safety first responders, who must keep connected with each other and the control center as well as acquire situational awareness in real time when responding to emergencies. On the one hand, requirements for public safety communications networks are rapidly changing with the adoption of new broadband-based multimedia applications, IP-based Land Mobile Radio/Private Mobile Radio (LMR/PMR) and Long Term Evolution (LTE), as well as robotic technology such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). On the other hand, the TDM-based backhaul networks in use are approaching end of life. As a result, public safety agencies are replacing their dedicated TDM-based backhaul networks with converged IP/MPLS WANs in preparation for such transitions. This paper discusses the advantages offered by this new converged backhaul network.