While ‘interoperability’ and ‘9/11’ have become mainstays in debates on how to improve the highly fragmented public-safety communications regime in the United States, a new survey reveals first responders do not regard terrorism their top concern or consider interoperability their greatest technological need.
Moreover, the survey — jointly sponsored by Motorola Inc. and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials-International — found there’s nothing monolithic about public-safety requirements. The emphasis on certain capabilities in urban areas is not necessary shared in rural America.
First responders across the country ranked highest their ability to react to natural disasters, far surpassing both terrorist attacks and crime. Still, regional fire and police officials said advanced communications technology ranks as the most critical aid in preparedness and response today and beyond.
“This national study validates how critical intuitive technology and communications tools are for public-safety professionals in order to protect citizens in both rural and urban communities,” said Mark Moon, senior VP of Motorola government and commercial markets for the Americas. “Working in concert with organizations that represent the public-safety community, industry solution providers are clearly making progress on meeting users’ current needs. Motorola’s future product development efforts are focused on providing advanced and fully integrated technologies essential to saving lives and combating unforeseen challenges.”
Public-safety officials ranked range, speed and availability of advanced technologies slightly ahead of interoperability insofar as technical capabilities they desire most. Availability of equipment came in close behind. No. 1 on their wish lists were rugged notebook computers, visual identification and recognition capabilities and smart transportation navigation.
“Improving communications and providing critical information to emergency responders helps save lives,” said Richard Mirgon, first VP of APCO. “This survey indicates that better-informed users are more effective in their jobs and the continuing advancement of technologies gives our first responders the tools necessary to protect themselves and the public.”
Suburban and urban areas, according to the survey, tend to value improved data availability and access more than their rural counterparts. Rural first responders are more likely to consider range, speed and availability of equipment as most critical. APCO and Motorola said the survey found large communities, more so than small communities, report technology as most helpful in providing situational awareness to incident response. Small communities identified the aid of interoperability technology as highly helpful in fostering communications among counties.
Public-safety officials in large and small settings alike listed mapping technologies — GPS tracking — as the top tool they want to see utilized as technology continues to evolve on the security and safety fronts.
