PSWN releases three new publications for public safety
The Public Safety Wireless Network Program, a joint effort of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Treasury, has released three new publications intended to support PSWN’s efforts to improve public safety radio communications interoperability.
Each guide is designed for a specific audience at the local, state, and federal levels. The guides also serve as information resources for anyone involved with public safety radio communications.
“Collectively, these PSWN Program publications can be used by every public safety agency in the country to create a blueprint for establishing improved wireless interoperability,” said Robert E. Lee, Jr., PSWN Program manager, Department of Justice. “We hope that this valuable information will be put to use and, in turn, help improve interoperability at all levels of government.”
PSWN described the publications as follows:
The Role of the Local Public Safety Community in Wireless Interoperability, intended to assist local public safety leaders in understanding the role that local agencies can play in improving public safety interoperability. Local agencies have a critical role in coordinating and establishing interoperable communications in cities, counties and towns. This publication explains this role and outlines actions the local public safety community can take to help make interoperability a reality.
The Role of the States in Public Safety Wireless Interoperability, intended to assist state government leaders in understanding the unique role that state governments can play in improving public safety interoperability. This guide explains that states have the ability to serve as the linchpins for leading systemic improvements in public safety infrastructure and describes the actions that states can take to improve interoperability.
The Role of the Federal Government in Public Safety Wireless Interoperability, intended to explain the role that the federal government can take in improving public safety interoperability nationwide. In describing the federal government as an enabler of interoperability, this guide provides examples of several activities the federal government is currently undertaking to improve public safety communications and describes how actions at the federal level can help improve public safety wireless interoperability at all levels.
A statement from PSWN said that each level of government—local, state, and federal—is uniquely positioned to address interoperability. Local public safety officials are often the first responders on scene, and work in the field every day using equipment and implementing interoperable solutions. Individual states have the ability to serve as linchpins for leading improvements in the public safety infrastructure, while the federal government, through executive direction and legislative actions, can also make public safety wireless interoperability a reality at the national level.
“Public safety operations present both challenges and opportunities for government at all levels,” said Rick Murphy, PSWN Program manager, Department of the Treasury. “The responsibility for protecting lives and property cuts across all jurisdictions and levels of government and presents opportunities for cooperation and coordination among agencies. These publications provide governments and public safety agencies with actionable steps that can be taken to improve public safety wireless communications.”
PSWN said that these steps include:
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building relationships with other organizations to identify wireless communications and interoperability issues.
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establishing public safety interoperability as a fiscal priority.
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researching what other states and localities have done to successfully implement interoperable wireless solutions.
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building or joining a shared regional or statewide interoperable network.
Free copies of these or other publications and additional information are available from PSWN by calling 800-565-PSWN, sending e-mail to [email protected], or by visiting PSWN’s Web site at www.pswn.gov.
The PSWN Program brings together officials from local, state, federal and tribal governments to improve wireless interoperability among U.S. fire, law enforcement and emergency medical services departments. The program conducts pilot projects and symposiums nationwide, and provides information on radio interoperability.
