Senators request $5 billion for emergency networks

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Interoperability - the end game or what's needed now: The back-end, system-wide approach giving all agencies and responders a fail-safe way to talk anywhere, anytime, regardless of the crisis or event, isn?t likely technically, financially or bureaucratically possible ? 4 years and millions and millions of grant money after 9/11 and it?s the same scenario once an emergency/disaster unfolds. Whether man-made terrorism or natural disaster, the reality is that there?s over 6,000 fire, police and EMS departments nationwide, most all acquiring their own radio equipment, creating a patchwork of communications systems, equipment and frequencies ? any of which will show up at a crisis event. Fortunately, the technology to create interoperability at the scene of the crisis, at that moment of need exists; unfortunately public officials will continue to wring their hands looking at an end-game approach that is years and $ billions away. The interoperability equipment used at Katrina was taking place was on a smaller, less widely deployed scale, but no less effective when it came to connecting disparate radio systems. It consisted of a small, very portable, battery-powered device that bridges virtually all radios together ? commercial, military, cell, direct-connect in less than five minutes. At least 20 of these cigar-box shaped ?Incident Commanders? Radio Interface? devices were deployed by agencies such as LA National Guard, Charlottesville FD, Houston PD, NORTHCOM (US Northern Command) and Unisys put up a satellite link for the LA governor with an ICRI interface. These ICRI devices are under $10,000, but unfortunately, agencies will spend 5-10Xs as much on equipment that?s too large, unwieldy and complex to deploy in such an event. Any first-responder will tell you what?s easy to use, won?t break down, and proven in the field is the key. There's scores of first-responders that will talk about how critical equipment like the "ICRI" is and their successes. Unfortunately not enough agencies and public officials know the reality of what?s taking place in the field. The analogy is if you went camping, not knowing what you might face, would you take a Swiss Army knife or a chain saw?; Posted by: JoelG_z Posted on: 09/15/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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