A Way Ahead for National Emergency Communications
Abstract
Effective communications are essential to the success of any large-scale military operation. The shared situational awareness enabled by effective communication is as critical to successful emergency response operations as it is to victory in combat. Important decisions made by government leaders in times of federal disaster are dependent upon acquiring and maintaining effective emergency communications. Like many other government policy issues, however, this area is a complex challenge complicated by competing authorities, jurisdictions, and priorities. A variety of factors make sustained progress in this area difficult. The lack of a comprehensive national communications strategy to address information sharing and exchange is the biggest shortfall. The incredible scope of the problem requires solutions spanning federal, state, tribal, county, and local levels. Commerce and politics complicate the way ahead as industry pressures government to establish standards that ensure fair-share market distribution. The lack of an aggregated band of spectrum to enable all responders to interoperate is also a stumbling block to progress. Solving the emergency communications challenge will require wide-ranging solutions. Partnership withcommercial and private sector organizations is a key component of our national strategy and will be critical to the success of any effort in the communications arena.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 17, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA481513
Entities
People
- Burt A. Biebuyck
Organizations
- United States Army War College