NCJ Number
206756
Date Published
June 2004
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of a 2004 survey of 192 cities that queried city officials about the level of interoperable communications across city, State, and Federal public safety agencies; obstacles to interoperability and whether the Federal mechanism for distributing Homeland Security funds by States delayed city interoperable investment; and investment required for a city to become fully interoperable and whether and how much Federal funding is expected or has been made available to aid the city's interoperable implementation.
Abstract
The survey found that more than 77 percent of the cities in the survey were interoperable in communications across police and fire departments, and 66 percent were interoperable across police, fire, and EMS (emergency medical services). The survey also found that communication with surrounding counties and neighboring cities was fairly good; however, aging systems and lack of funding for improving older systems or purchasing modern interoperable communication systems was a serious problem. When asked about interoperability with transportation systems, 86 percent of the cities reported no such capability with the State transportation department; and 94 percent did not have interoperable capability among the rail facility, police, fire, and emergency medical service. When asked about interoperable communications with the State and Federal governments, 80 percent of the cities reported no interoperable communications with the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice; 60 percent of the cities reported they did not have interoperable capability with State emergency operation centers. Just over 75 percent of the cities indicated that limited local, State, or Federal funding was preventing the achievement of full interoperable capability. Seventy-five percent of the cities reported that they have not received or been notified that they would receive Federal homeland security funding for interoperability. Responding cities are listed by State, along with the population of each city.