Who is coordinating interoperability issues in Maryland?
The Public Safety Communications Interoperability Governance Work Group, which was convened by the Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security in December 2003, is coordinating interoperability issues in Maryland. The Work Group advises the Governor on strategies for strengthening communications during times of emergency. Interoperability Among Public Safety Agencies–the ability of public safety agencies to communicate, both within their own departments, and across departmental lines–is a critical aspect for the safety of first responders, and for the efficient allocation of scarce dollars in public safety budgets. For years, this interoperability has been hampered by incompatible radio hardware, systems, and networking protocols.
