Network Fabrics targeted at First Responders & Interoperability

Interoperability between federal and local agencies is still a huge problem.The problem can best be summed up with an excerpt from the Department of Homeland Security dated 9/27/04: “Fact Sheet: Achieving First Responder Communications Interoperability – a Local, State, and Federal Partnership – The challenge of communications interoperability has plagued public safety agencies for decades. Together, technology and leadership can give first responders and public safety agencies the ability to exchange voice and data on demand, in real time, when needed and as authorized. However, as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 made clear, true radio interoperability requires first responders to be able to communicate not just within their units, but also across disciplines and jurisdictions. Reaching the goal of full communications interoperability requires the coordinated efforts of leadership at the local, state, and federal levels.

 

Great progress has been made, but there is much more work to be done. The Department of Homeland Security is providing national leadership to a local, state, and federal partnership to ensure interoperability objectives are met in every community across the country. In addition to providing centralized guidance on the federal level, Homeland Security is also offering detailed management tools for state and local leaders committed to addressing this challenge within their own communities.”

 

This problem of interoperability connecting and communicating based on the role of the person, the organization and in many cases only for the duration of an incident is what needs to be done. Not after the event, but before the event, a pre-built network fabric should be built that is structured for the event whether a natural disaster or other catastrophe. With a proactive approach using best practices, these events can be managed using the flexibility of a incident based network fabric - pre-defined roles and responsibilities assigned by role. Role based communications allows for sophisticated work flow without resources assigned. This is done in construction all the time and should be applied to incident management. As long as the fabric can stretch and adapt to the situation, then it will be a highly valuable tool to the many participants. 

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