Franklin County (PA) struggles to define radio communications requirements anew: "Firefighters, police and other first responders expect to better handle emergencies with the new equipment because they'll be able to communicate directly with each other. Currently, radio communication across different agencies and municipalities is very difficult. There also are 'dead spots' where communication fails. "

Public safety wireless experts talk the talk: Attention in the government technology arena has shifted gradually during the past decade to developing plans or business cases before any investments or implementation. This has been an attempt to leave behind the big-money failures and stand-alone systems that officials are now working to overcome. Public safety officials, who usually cross multiple levels of government and jurisdictions, must agree on the plans, and they are still working on that concept.

"The equipment itself is a means to an end, not the end, and the really important part is being able to establish what the needs are, what the gaps are, and those needs themselves follow from a command incident structure," said William Jenkins, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office. "If that foundation is not laid out, the equipment is almost irrelevant because even if you have the right equipment...if I call it 'red channel 2' and you call it 'purple channel 5,' we don't realize we can talk to each other."

Jenkins testified last month about public safety interoperability before the House Government Reform Committee's National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee.

Kentucky wants interoperability: "The Kentucky Governor's Office of Technology is considering a statewide public safety interoperability plan, including development of an architecture and standards to ensure that new wireless systems will interoperate. The Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee will make recommendations to the chief information officer on strategic wireless initiatives for public safety voice and data communications interoperability. "

Homeland Security - Business is good: "GlobalSecure Holdings Ltd., a District-based private-equity investment firm that has bought three homeland security companies in the past year, last week wrapped up raising $23.5 million. Armed with this cash, it's aggressively searching for more companies in this field. "

Public safety wireless experts talk the talk: "'The equipment itself is a means to an end, not the end, and the really important part is being able to establish what the needs are, what the gaps are, and those needs themselves follow from a command incident structure,' said William Jenkins, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office. 'If that foundation is not laid out, the equipment is almost irrelevant because even if you have the right equipment...if I call it 'red channel 2' and you call it 'purple channel 5,' we don't realize we can talk to each other.'
Jenkins testified last month about public safety "