Communicating During Emergencies: Toward Interoperability and Effective Information Management

Symposium: The Crisis in Public Safety Communications. Held at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, December 8, 2006. To change the culture and realities of public safety communications, this Article calls on policymakers to develop a new architecture for the use of information and communications technologies and provide a framework for leadership to transition to a next generation system for public safety communications. Such a culture change would include not only an embrace of new technologies, but a new framework for technology leadership--at the state or regional level-that spurs decision making in a coordinated fashion (and not through ad hoc decisions by over 50,000 different local agencies). In short, this Article explains what new technologies can transform public safety communications and what intergovernmental relations strategy will be necessary to facilitate the implementation of such technologies

Fundamental Reform in Public Safety Communications Policy

Symposium: The Crisis in Public Safety Communications. Held at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, December 8, 2006. The communications systems used by first responders in the U.S. are inadequate, primarily because of outdated and ineffective public policy. Fundamental reform is needed, and the upcoming digital TV transition provides an outstanding opportunity. This Article describes options available to policymakers, if they act soon

Effective Team Building Guide

team buildingemployability skillscommunicationproblem solvingEffective Team Building Guide is a useful tool in guiding instruction and discussion around cooperative teams. Developed for the Public Safety Communications Program, this book covers topics including types of cooperative groups, framework for working in teams, skilled communication in teams, problem solving and employability skills. This Canadian textbook is part of the Public Safety Communications program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.Wade, N. & Macpherson, A. (2016) Effective Team Building Guide. Surrey, B.C.: Kwantlen Polytechnic UniversityPeer reviewe

Public Safety Communications Policy

Since September 11, 2001, the effectiveness of America’s communications capabilities in support of the information needs of first responders and other public safety workers have been a matter of concern to Congress. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) included sections that responded to recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, in its report of July 2004, and by others in recent years, regarding public safety communications. Most public safety advocates consider that the communications failures following the the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina demonstrates that there is much still to be done to provide the United States with adequate communications capabilities in emergencies