Communications and Interoperability

The communications and interoperability resource page is designed to help firefighters keep up with the latest communications gear and best practices in mutual-aid and interoperability. As collaboration among police, EMS, rescue and other agencies becomes more important, firefighters can stay prepared with the latest radios, satellite systems and interoperability plans. Read news about the impact of communications on major incidents, dive into expert analysis of how to improve personal communications on scene, watch videos about the role of communications and interoperability on incident command, and more.

Full list of Communications and Interoperability results

Calif. county officials launch probe into rescue helicopter response to fatal 2019 crash
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Orange County fire officials are investigating why a fire helicopter was dispatched to the scene instead of a closer sheriff's office helicopter
Ind. county public safety agencies seek new dispatch system to speed emergency responses
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Fire, EMS, police and 911 departments in Porter County are collaborating to apply for funding for the more efficient alerting system
Fla. county could face public safety radio shutdown due to outstanding $1.6M bill
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The county has been given a deadline of 55 days to pay the bill, which is about $500,000 over its budget, after which first responders will no longer have radio communications access
Nashville bombing affected multiple states' emergency communications
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FirstNet was one of several AT&T services temporarily disrupted when an RV exploded next to AT&T’s central office in Nashville
Some Tenn. 911 services remain down after Nashville explosion
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Emergency services and utilities pivot as outages continue in southern Middle Tennessee
Live Discussion: Connectivity is Key to Safer Personnel and Communities
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Learn about the state of public safety and how your agency can best plan for short- and long-term operational challenges
Latest spending bill protects public safety T-band spectrum
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The bill includes the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act, which prevents the auction of the T-Band spectrum deemed critical to radio communications in metro areas
NH FD, EMS roll out new CAD system aimed at reducing response times
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The new computer-aided dispatch system allows for immediate automated selection of the closest available fire and EMS unit for all emergency calls
Calif. county air ambulance arrangement under fire after child's death
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An Orange County Fire Authority dispatcher sent a fire helicopter that arrived in 18 minutes instead of calling a sheriff's copter only a minute away
Ohio 911 center misses call about fatal emergency during outage
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The family of the patient who died called the hospital directly after failing to reach a 911 operator due to a rare power distribution unit failure
Idaho VFD seeks to use CARES Act funds to buy radios for every member
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Moscow Volunteer Fire Department officials say the purchase would prevent members from needing to share radios, which could increase COVID-19 risk
Pa. FD not being dispatched despite being reinstated
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One councilman who supports the Gill Hall Volunteer Fire Company claims the delay in getting the station dispatched is a "stall tactic" designed to force the agency into a merger
Talk it out: Improving personal communication interoperability
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Use communications-focused models, methods to enhance fireground communication among members
First responders fear FCC plan could interfere with their ability to control traffic signals
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The "safety band" spectrum used to keep first responders from getting caught in traffic en route to an emergency may be opened up for use by unlicensed Wi-Fi users
House passes bill to protect T-band spectrum
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The bill would prevent the spectrum used by first responders from being auctioned off in February 2021
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