Phase 5 Ip Hls200

Phase 2 IP HLS210

Richard Toplak

HLS210

December 1, 2014

Suzanne Swab

Phase 2 IP HLS210

People always hear how the United States Federal agency is working with a state level or local level agency. This interoperability requires much more than just picking up a phone or talking on a walkie talkie type device. The fact is it requires a multi-agency, multi level system that works for all levels of government. In GAG-04-2311, the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) stated that the inability for all first responders to communicate between each other on all levels in time of emergency is a long standing known problem. When first responders cannot communicate between each other cost innocent lives to be lost. There are three challenges that GAO found. This paper will discuss the three most urgent challenges needed to complete such a daunting task.

The first challenge that must be overcome is the clearly identifying and defining the issue of having an inter-agency system that encompasses federal, state, local, tribal, and even civilian entities. No single agency at any level is able to develop, design, plan, and implement an inter-agency system. This daunting act will require all levels of first responders, civilian, and governmental leaders. They need to define interoperable equipment, standards, and procedures that are required by first responders (United States General Accounting Office, 2003).

The second challenge the GAO stated that they must develop a national vision for communications. Ensure a wireless spectrum large enough to handle all the agencies, invest in new communication infrastructure. They found that this system must be flexible enough that state and local governments can tailor it to their individual governmental needs. They also must set standards for this system to keep it operational for all level. GAO realized that extensive coordination with the FCC and National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) will be...