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.
        Turn fragmented systems into seamless collaboration during critical incidents
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        UC San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia network last year detected 1,668 fires, including 636 before any 911 call
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        An independent review says incident command wasn’t formally established until 25 minutes after the shooter was in custody and fire crews were dispatched late
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The Baltimore Fire Department will use AI and geofencing to manage 911 calls during Artscape, easing pressure on citywide dispatch
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Fire-rescue leaders share key aspects of preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        How to help younger generation firefighters improve their in-person communication skills
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Researchers are developing AI systems that analyze social media posts during emergencies to help responders act faster
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The chain of command and issuance of orders can become complicated if all parties involved do not respect the system and its boundaries
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Build strong relationships before an emergency arises
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        A logistics team is essential for streamlining larger, more complex operations
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        NIOSH investigation finds heat-damaged equipment led to lost communication during a structure fire
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Ericsson has joined the ranks of vendors, reinforcing its role in delivering secure, reliable connectivity for enterprises and public safety agencies
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The Stevensville Town Council approved a payment to grant writers for an AFG application that would fund 127 new radios for Ravalli County fire departments
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        While the FCC is traditionally associated with high-rise buildings, mid-rise buildings are often just as difficult to enter and navigate after business hours
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Zagaris served as the planning section chief at the scene
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        A failure in the radio alert tone caused a delay in notifying Norwich firefighters, prompting the East Great Plain volunteer department to respond first under the mutual aid agreement
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        With the right investment and buy-in, mentorship programs can facilitate skill development, career advancement and improve firefighter retention
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Peer support teams are a proven tool, but not every agency has the staffing or budget to create and run their own
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Focus on sharing the best of who we are as individuals and as a community
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        How emergency responders overcome communication challenges and secure reliable networks
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        How to safely mitigate incidents with half-stories
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        T-Mobile doubles down on support for first responders with major ecosystem partnerships like Samsung, individual benefits and a $2M+ scholarship fund for children of fallen first responders
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Communication and command failures were key in fatal Florida fire that killed Loretta Pickard
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The Un‑carrier delivers the best price for first responder and military families vs. AT&T and Verizon
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        How AI-driven platforms are revolutionizing public safety messaging and disaster preparedness
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Active911 has teamed up with PRYME to enhance emergency communications for first responders enabling seamless communication between radios and cellphones during critical situations
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Learn how NERIS is providing first responders with more accurate and actionable post-incident information
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        After-action reports and investigations revealed issues with alert systems in past wildfires as well as the timeliness of notifications
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        While this year is certainly not the first Inauguration Day, it is the first one for a candidate who has already experienced two assassination attempts
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Avoid transmitting a garbled or confusing message with these tips from Gordon Graham
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Replacing the phrase “my department” with the more inclusive “our department” highlights teamwork and accountability
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The team deployed nearly 900 times in 2024, supporting first responders in nearly every state and Washington D.C
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Report identifies preventable failures in communication, planning, execution and leadership on and before July 13 incident
    
        
    
        
    
        
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