Emergencies and those who respond to them have been around almost since the beginning of time. How we communicate and the associated challenges have radically evolved, most notably within the last 50 years. 

Nystrom walked through a history of interoperability, beginning with the significant resources and technology that became available after WWII. Innovations for user interfaces and frequency bands widened communications capabilities and also widened the interoperability gaps, creating new challenges for responders and how they communicate with each other.

Following Desert Storm, there was an edict to “solve the interoperability problem once and for all.” This program was TDC/ICAP and vendors and other involved entities were tasked with finding a solution. Other recommendations following 9/11 included concepts such as the interoperability continuum. The interoperability continuum gives us guidance for training and coordination, governance, SOPs, technology, and usage and how we achieve maximum benefit for communications. Moving from left to right, simple to complex solutions can be found. 

With P25 systems, there are still a variety of frequency bands, with pros and cons for each, meaning at times we may need all of them. There is no perfect solution, according to the presenter, and  we must make trade-offs, evaluate cost to benefits, identify mission critical needs, and coordinate all of this with future needs, product life cycle, and funding sources, among other issues. There is also a paradigm shift in the end user interfaces and expectations with the use of smart phones and other devices, such as PTT apps and other replacements for LMR portable radios. 

Nystrom noted that system sharing is one solution that builds cost-efficient relationships, breaks down political barriers, and may enhance public safety across jurisdictional barriers. “Hold vendors responsible for putting public safety above shareholder interests,” he urged. 

Covered by Christine Massengale