Teaching family emergency survival skills
The key to saving lives is information
Preparedness Policy and Guidance : Browse Popular Ideas
Which disaster, emergency, and national preparedness policies and guidance need to be updated? How could DHS and FEMA best implement changes to those items? Are there current examples of policies that have substantially enhanced preparedness over others?
Moderators
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled1 vote
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Add your comment for Idea: Teaching family emergency survival skills -
I agree
Voting is Disabled
-2 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Reality thinking
Add your comment for Idea: Reality thinkingForget trying to save refugees of the bombed out cities. The people on the rural farms and ranches don't have the resources to take them in and care for them.
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
-1 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Reality thinking
Add your comment for Idea: Reality thinkingForget trying to save refugees of the bombed out cities. The people on the rural farms and ranches don't have the resources to take them in and care for them.
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
8 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »US National Grid Essential to Spatial Response Coordination
I suggest you give attention to the importance of spatial interoperability to the conduct of emergency response operations. No attention is being paid to how spatial orientation should be maintained in responding to an incident, particularly if an injury or similar localized event occurs and rapid response/evacuation is necessary. Maps provide graphic pictures of incident areas but are completely useless for precisely ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: US National Grid Essential to Spatial Response CoordinationI suggest you give attention to the importance of spatial interoperability to the conduct of emergency response operations. No attention is being paid to how spatial orientation should be maintained in responding to an incident, particularly if an injury or similar localized event occurs and rapid response/evacuation is necessary. Maps provide graphic pictures of incident areas but are completely useless for precisely locating events that might require immediate response unless they contain a grid that is both commonly understood and useable with GPS equipment. When maps are overlaid with a coordinate grid, specifically the U.S. National Grid, then an injury or other situation requiring response can be reported by GPS-equipped personnel and immediately located on the map to within 10 meters by appropriate emergency response units. The USNG is the Federal standard for civil spatial interoperability in these types of situations -- it is also directly interoperable with the grid coordinate system used by the military, in cases where military support is involved.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
1 vote
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Collapsing buildings and safe triangles instead of "duck and cover" approach
what about teaching people in the event of a earthquake, bombing or buiding collapse, instead of duck and cover, I read recently that there is a TRIANGLE of safe space created next to any object where a person can lie flat - prior to reading that article or watching that video (I can't remember the source) I did not realize that it was even a possibility. the information came from a man who studied collapsing buildings ...more »
3 comments for Idea: Collapsing buildings and safe triangles instead of "duck and cover" approachwhat about teaching people in the event of a earthquake, bombing or buiding collapse, instead of duck and cover, I read recently that there is a TRIANGLE of safe space created next to any object where a person can lie flat - prior to reading that article or watching that video (I can't remember the source) I did not realize that it was even a possibility. the information came from a man who studied collapsing buildings for years and he said that fatalities could have been avoided if only people knew WHERE and HOW to place themselves before a collapse occurred. This was life saving information that I had never heard and the word certainly needs to get out mainstream to help save people's lives in the event of disaster.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
0 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Make DHS Funding All Hazard
Add your comment for Idea: Make DHS Funding All HazardWe have spent the almost a decade trying to decide how to spend billions of dollars on how to mitigate (prevent) terrorism. We need DHS and FEMA to clearly outline the future of how we can become a truly sustainable country from both natural and human-caused threats. Take programs like the UASI or Regional Catastrophic and make these all hazard regional resources. What are we vulnerable too...
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
1 vote
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Require all goverment agencies and critical infrastructure to have EMP protection and response plans.
Add your comment for Idea: Require all goverment agencies and critical infrastructure to have EMP protection and response plans.Require all governmental agencies and other critical infrastructure to develop and implement EMP protection and recovery plans in the event of an EMP event, man made or natural. That can include mitigation by using purchases of replacement parts that are sensitive to EMP and placing in appropriate harden locations, mandating future purchases include EMP protection be standard and other steps.
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
2 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »All LEO, Fire and EMS should be required to undergo tactical 1st aid/tactical medical care!
Require that all LEOs, EMS and FD personnel undergo tactical 1st aid/medical care training. The idea being that after an active shooter scenario, there will be more qualified personnel to treat the wounded. Another benefit is that the EMS/FD will have better training and skills to deal with such scenarios or other involving active attacks and the training that all of the personnel recieves will be shared. Furthermore, ...more »
3 comments for Idea: All LEO, Fire and EMS should be required to undergo tactical 1st aid/tactical medical care!Require that all LEOs, EMS and FD personnel undergo tactical 1st aid/medical care training. The idea being that after an active shooter scenario, there will be more qualified personnel to treat the wounded. Another benefit is that the EMS/FD will have better training and skills to deal with such scenarios or other involving active attacks and the training that all of the personnel recieves will be shared. Furthermore, they should all practice active shooter scenarios and others that may require tactical maneuvers.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
5 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Train the MD and Nursing students to deal with disasters
1 comment for Idea: Train the MD and Nursing students to deal with disastersRequire that all medical school students and nursing school students learn/practice disaster medicine and include them in exercises and other such events. We can also utilize the students for NDMS' DMAT teams. In disasters, they may not have all of what they are learning to use and need to have some idea of how to manage during a disaster.
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
2 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Natural and Environmental Hazard Disclosure Law
California has aggressive laws requiring disclosure of known natural hazards, and I believe there should be similar laws across the country. If you don't know what the particular hazards are in your immediate area, how can you prepare for them? I live in Washington State, in the foothills of what is considered one of the most dangerous volcano's in the world. When I bought my house, there was no disclosure about the volcano ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Natural and Environmental Hazard Disclosure LawCalifornia has aggressive laws requiring disclosure of known natural hazards, and I believe there should be similar laws across the country. If you don't know what the particular hazards are in your immediate area, how can you prepare for them? I live in Washington State, in the foothills of what is considered one of the most dangerous volcano's in the world. When I bought my house, there was no disclosure about the volcano risk, or any other natural or environmental risk that is known to be around the property. People purchase home inspections, appraisals, pest reports, etc, to make sure they are making a good investment. Why shouldn't they also be required to receive hazard information that actually has the potential to save their lives?
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
4 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Policy Decisions are Best Made with Public Input
Add your comment for Idea: Policy Decisions are Best Made with Public InputMake sure that you incorporate community feedback or input when making policy decisions that will impact them. This can be done utilizing community engagement meetings.
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
-1 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Redefining NIMS for Higher Education
I suggest you...redefine the NIMS requirements for higher education. The current NIMS training is a field level focus on how ICS operates. Many institutions, especially those that do not have their own public safety, need training on ICS that focuses on the relationship between an institution's emergency operations center and the field responders. Promote NIMS training that targets the ICS/EOC interface and establishing ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Redefining NIMS for Higher EducationI suggest you...redefine the NIMS requirements for higher education. The current NIMS training is a field level focus on how ICS operates. Many institutions, especially those that do not have their own public safety, need training on ICS that focuses on the relationship between an institution's emergency operations center and the field responders. Promote NIMS training that targets the ICS/EOC interface and establishing an EOC structure for the institution. This would have more relevancy for HEIs.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
5 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »No Drastic Changes and Know Your Customers
Please appreciate the fact that homeland security is still a new discipline and that it takes time understand and incorporate National preparedness doctrine into State and local planning and preparedness efforts. To that end, focus on updating the existing doctrine as opposed to recreating it. For example, there are some good National preparedness elements (e.g. Prevent/Protect/Respond/Recover mission areas), some things ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: No Drastic Changes and Know Your CustomersPlease appreciate the fact that homeland security is still a new discipline and that it takes time understand and incorporate National preparedness doctrine into State and local planning and preparedness efforts. To that end, focus on updating the existing doctrine as opposed to recreating it. For example, there are some good National preparedness elements (e.g. Prevent/Protect/Respond/Recover mission areas), some things that need to be tweaked but not discarded (e.g. TCL, National Priorities) and some things that need to be rethought entirely (e.g. national planning scenarios). Avoid the urge to create new doctrine and instead focus on keeping/enhancing the things that work. Also, please keep the end-users in mind. The State and local stakeholders at the end of the “funnel” often wear many hats and have several competing priorities – keep it simple, do the outreach, explain things and always try to maintain an understanding of State and local needs. Forums like this are helpful in that regard.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
-8 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Mandatory Co Involvement w City Emergency Mngt
I'd suggest that voluntary participation is not sufficient. The response is limited not only by those who have legitimate deficits in financing or expertise, but also by those who believe it's too much effort since "something like that has never happened here before". Argh! Somewhere along the way I picked up a saying that people don’t want the burden of rules and regulations until something bad happens. Only then do ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Mandatory Co Involvement w City Emergency MngtI'd suggest that voluntary participation is not sufficient. The response is limited not only by those who have legitimate deficits in financing or expertise, but also by those who believe it's too much effort since "something like that has never happened here before". Argh! Somewhere along the way I picked up a saying that people don’t want the burden of rules and regulations until something bad happens. Only then do they raise their fists and ask ‘Why wasn’t there something in place to protect me from this!’
We do have extensive and thorough company policies for emergency action and business continuity planning. And, though our planning and preparation is good, it’s limitation is that the involvement can be limited to the administrative or executive functions of completing the policy / paperwork without engaging the employees (beyond making the info available to staff), other tenants in the same building, or city emergency management officials.
However, one of our office locations is mandated (above and beyond our company policies) by city ordinance to have an employee identified as a marshal to apply high-rise office emergency protocols. This individual is directly responsible for identifying potential risk, developing a response plan, and coordinating with the city fire marshal for quarterly drills.
The only reason our other locations do not have such a well developed and practiced policy is because it is not required by the city. I would suggest for there to be more mandatory involvement for any company with 100+ employees to participate in emergency planning coordination with their local emergency management offices.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
11 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Include Solar Storm and EMP risks in all-hazards planning
Include the hazards "Solar Storm" and "Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)" in all-hazards planning and mitigation at all levels of government. Solar storms and EMP's have the ability to knock the United States back 200 years in time by severely disabling electrical and electronic systems. The current population of the U.S. cannot be sustained and estimates that casualties may be up to 90%. Critical infrastructure that relies ...more »
4 comments for Idea: Include Solar Storm and EMP risks in all-hazards planningInclude the hazards "Solar Storm" and "Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)" in all-hazards planning and mitigation at all levels of government.
Solar storms and EMP's have the ability to knock the United States back 200 years in time by severely disabling electrical and electronic systems. The current population of the U.S. cannot be sustained and estimates that casualties may be up to 90%.
Critical infrastructure that relies on electricity and electronics need to be hardened.
The risk of Solar Storms or EMPs must be taken seriously before any real mitigation efforts will be put on the table.
Several government reports indicate a serious risk to the U.S. from these threats.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
13 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »We should have an active nuclear civil defense program
As our nation unilaterally disarms, and faces a terrorist nuclear threat, we should at least have an active nuclear civil defense program. Consider what the Russians are doing: http://rt.com/prime-time/2010-07-12/moscow-bomb-shelters-outskirts.html/print Moscow arms against nuclear attack 12 July, 2010, 21:42 Nearly 5,000 new emergency bomb shelters will be built in Moscow by 2012 to save people in case of potential ...more »
7 comments for Idea: We should have an active nuclear civil defense programAs our nation unilaterally disarms, and faces a terrorist nuclear threat, we should at least have an active nuclear civil defense program.
Consider what the Russians are doing:
http://rt.com/prime-time/2010-07-12/moscow-bomb-shelters-outskirts.html/print
Moscow arms against nuclear attack
12 July, 2010, 21:42
Nearly 5,000 new emergency bomb shelters will be built in Moscow by 2012 to save people in case of potential attacks.
Moscow authorities say the measure is urgent as the shelters currently available in the city can house no more that half of its population.
In the last 20 years, the area of air-raid defense has been developed little, and the existing shelters have become outdated. Moreover, they are located mostly in the city center, which makes densely populated Moscow outskirts especially vulnerable in the event of a nuclear attack.
In order to resolve the issue, the city has given architects a task to construct a typical model of an easy-to-build shelter that will be located all over the city 10 to 15 meters underneath apartment blocks, shopping centers, sport complexes and parks, as in case of attack people will need to reach the shelters within a minute.
Moscow saw its first mass building of shelters in the 1930s, after which 7,000 of them were constructed. Some of Russia’s metro stations have been built very deep underground so that they could double as air raid shelters.
However, in the early 1990s, many shelters were privatized by commercial firms that used them as warehouses, parking lots, and even restaurants.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
134 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Teach Practical Family Nuclear Civil Defense Strategies and Tactics...
The disarmament movement for decades has hyped that with nukes; all will die or it will be so bad you'll wish you had. Most have bought into it, now thinking it futile, bordering on lunacy, to try to learn how to survive a nuclear blast and radioactive fallout. Unfortunately, most govt officials have, too, as they are focused on #1- Interdiction, and #2- COG (Continuity of Govt) for when #1 fails, and have largely ignored ...more »
47 comments for Idea: Teach Practical Family Nuclear Civil Defense Strategies and Tactics...The disarmament movement for decades has hyped that with nukes; all will die or it will be so bad you'll wish you had. Most have bought into it, now thinking it futile, bordering on lunacy, to try to learn how to survive a nuclear blast and radioactive fallout.
Unfortunately, most govt officials have, too, as they are focused on #1- Interdiction, and #2- COG (Continuity of Govt) for when #1 fails, and have largely ignored #3 - Civil Defense training of the pubic, so they might be better prepared to save themselves from the first second of the flash of a nuke explosion.
For instance, most people now ridicule 'duck & cover', but for the vast majority, not right at 'ground zero' and already gone, the blast wave will be delayed in arriving after the flash, like lightening & thunder, anywhere from a fraction of a second up to 20 seconds, or more.
Today, without 'duck & cover' training, everyone at work, home, and your children at school, will impulsively rush to the nearest windows to see what that 'bright flash' was, just-in-time to be shredded by the glass imploding inward from that delayed blast wave. They'd never been taught that even in the open, just laying flat, reduces by eight-fold the chances of being hit by debris from that brief, 3-second, tornado strength blast.
Then, later, before the radioactive fallout can hurt them, most downwind won't know to move perpendicular away from the drift of the fallout to get out from under it before it even arrives. And, for those who can't evacuate in time, few know how quick & easy it is to throw together an expedient fallout shelter, to safely wait out the radioactive fallout as it loses 99% of its lethal intensity in the first 48 hours.
The greatest tragedy of that horrific loss of life, when nukes come to America, will be that most families had needlessly perished, out of ignorance of how easily they might have avoided becoming additional casualties, all because they erroneously thought it futile to ever try to learn how to beforehand.
The Good News About Nuclear Destruction! at www.ki4u.com/goodnews.htm dispels those deadly myths of nuclear un-survivability, empowering American families to then better survive nukes. For as long as nukes exist, these life-saving insights are essential to every families survival!
And, as a bonus, all our nations' First-Responders would be many magnitudes more effective when there are tens of thousands fewer blast & radiation casualties to later deal with.
The govt should be in the lead getting this information out to all, as it'll save many more lives than doubling the number, and funding, of First-Responders, at a fraction of the cost and time to implement!
Shane Connor
www.ki4u.com
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
6 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »EMS and emergency care systems need to have a seat at the planning table
As I reviewed the proposed membership of the Task Force, I have noted the glaring absence of representation from the emergency medical services (EMS) community and emergency physicians. EMS providers and emergency physicians are the members of the emergency care system who will play key primary roles in a disaster response, regardless of its etiology. Although I commend the inclusion of firefighters, the specific designation ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: EMS and emergency care systems need to have a seat at the planning tableAs I reviewed the proposed membership of the Task Force, I have noted the glaring absence of representation from the emergency medical services (EMS) community and emergency physicians. EMS providers and emergency physicians are the members of the emergency care system who will play key primary roles in a disaster response, regardless of its etiology. Although I commend the inclusion of firefighters, the specific designation of a position on the Task Force for EMS and emergency physicians will embrace the sectors of the emergency care system, i.e. private EMS agencies, rural EMS, and specialized care EMS organizations (hazardous materials, air and ground mobile intensive care units, dive and water rescue, tactical EMS), that play an invaluable role in a broad spectrum of disaster and emergency incidents. The EMS system, along with the emergency physicians, play a primary role during disasters in the provision of patient care, education of the general public in prevention, preparedness, and mitigation measures, and the appropriate management and allocation of scarce resources.
There is no substitute for the education of the general public in the initiation of basic preparedness measures and the importance of the awareness, identification, and reporting of potential threats. However, there will be significant gaps in the crafting of a disaster response and emergency guidance policy without dedicated and specific representation from our EMS providers and emergency physicians, the critical components of the emergency care system who are fully operational and prepared 24-7-365.
Best regards,
Dr. Carol Cunningham
State Medical Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety,
EMS Medical Director, Lake Health
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
1 vote
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Radio Operability
1 comment for Idea: Radio OperabilityA lot of grant money is being directed to radio interoperability, which is good but many jurisdictions do not have and cannot afford sufficient radio operability. Jurisdictions must ensure that their first responder's radios work inside all large commercial and high rise buildings within their response area. Future building and fire codes must mandate in-building antennas.
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
4 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Jurisdictions need to plan to utilize and document non-affiliated and spontaneous volunteers
Vulnerability is the combination of risk of an incident times the probability minus the mitigation efforts employed to reduce the impact of that incident. Regardless of the cause of a presidentially declared incident (Flood, storm, earthquake, or human incident, etc), under the Stafford act, all jurisdictions are vulnerable to the financial vulnerability of the non-federal share, or local match, of the FEMA Public Assistance ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Jurisdictions need to plan to utilize and document non-affiliated and spontaneous volunteersVulnerability is the combination of risk of an incident times the probability minus the mitigation efforts employed to reduce the impact of that incident. Regardless of the cause of a presidentially declared incident (Flood, storm, earthquake, or human incident, etc), under the Stafford act, all jurisdictions are vulnerable to the financial vulnerability of the non-federal share, or local match, of the FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program. The local match for FEMA category A and B subgrants can be mitigated against by training, coordinating and documenting volunteers to perform eligible emergency work during the incident response as Donated Resources. Pre-incident agreements for volunteer management are essential to ensure NIMS compliant interoperability of the volunteers responding within the incident. Additionally, the costs associated with managing volunteers are FEMA reimbursable under the Public Assistance Grant Program. Jurisdictions need to plan to utilize and document non-affiliated and spontaneous volunteers to mitigate their financial vulnerability of the local match under a presidentially declared event under the Stafford Act.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
25 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Improve Emergency Planning Process
Develop and implement a professional career track for emergency planners. Ten years ago in North Carolina, we had one all-hazards plan and one hazard-specific one (hurricanes). Today we still have the one base plan and 15 hazard-specific ones. During this period, EM planning postions dropped from 14 to 9. Other state agencies have increased their preparedness planning, but we do not have a standard planning process. ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Improve Emergency Planning ProcessDevelop and implement a professional career track for emergency planners. Ten years ago in North Carolina, we had one all-hazards plan and one hazard-specific one (hurricanes). Today we still have the one base plan and 15 hazard-specific ones. During this period, EM planning postions dropped from 14 to 9. Other state agencies have increased their preparedness planning, but we do not have a standard planning process. This situation results in uncoordinated plans and at times activites working against each other. Typically, agencies use a Conceptual Planning (CONPLAN) process when for hazard-specific plans, agencies should use an Operational Planning (OPLAN) process. To reiterate, the emergency response community needs to improve its core competencies to meet increased public expectations.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
15 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Mass Fatality Management
As Co-Chairman of the DHS Mass Fatality Management Subcouncil of the Public Health Sector Coordinating Council, I strongly suggest that the federal government establish a mass fatality management plan for all man-made and natural disasters. The Plan would include all the appropriate resources of the federal, state, local, tribal and private sector and how and when those resources will be applied. The dignified recovery, ...more »
3 comments for Idea: Mass Fatality ManagementAs Co-Chairman of the DHS Mass Fatality Management Subcouncil of the Public Health Sector Coordinating Council, I strongly suggest that the federal government establish a mass fatality management plan for all man-made and natural disasters. The Plan would include all the appropriate resources of the federal, state, local, tribal and private sector and how and when those resources will be applied. The dignified recovery, identification, processing and return of those remains to their families for proper funeral and final disposition should be a high priority. The traditions and customs our society require it and the familes of the deceased deserve and demand it.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
29 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Support ALL levels of Incident Management Teams
Provide funding, oversight and guidance for all levels of incident management teams. Develop a national system of training and certification for Types I, II, and III teams. Smaller Type III incidents may cross state boundaries, but because certifications are set up by each state, other states don't have to honor them, complicating the response. It could also make the transition from Type III to Type II more efficient. ...more »
1 comment for Idea: Support ALL levels of Incident Management TeamsProvide funding, oversight and guidance for all levels of incident management teams. Develop a national system of training and certification for Types I, II, and III teams. Smaller Type III incidents may cross state boundaries, but because certifications are set up by each state, other states don't have to honor them, complicating the response. It could also make the transition from Type III to Type II more efficient.
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
1 vote
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Large Building Mandates and Laws are are needed !
We need to consider these mandates for any large building;these buildings are like large cities, with many of the same security concerns. DHS-FEMA need to mandate by laws or codes mandatory training for a large building's chief engineer and maintenance staff; and make these chief engineer's requests mandatory policy for the building's General Manager and owner(s) regardless of the bottom line. The 9/11 Commission saw ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Large Building Mandates and Laws are are needed !We need to consider these mandates for any large building;these buildings are like large cities, with many of the same security concerns. DHS-FEMA need to mandate by laws or codes mandatory training for a large building's chief engineer and maintenance staff; and make these chief engineer's requests mandatory policy for the building's General Manager and owner(s) regardless of the bottom line. The 9/11 Commission saw potential flaws in this building engineer --general manager connection and made policy, but did not mandate laws. This is a potential fatal flaw in the DHS-FEMA large building response system-NIMS. Maintenance workers and Chief engineers for large buildings are often 1st responders and help provide the building's 'eyes' and 'ears' and 'map' for any 1st responders in ANY TYPE of emergency response .
« less full details »
-
I agree
Voting is Disabled
22 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Preparedness Policy and Guidance »Require interoperable radio policies
Require agencies that have access to interoperable radio systems to include their use in their written policies. I work as a police/fire dispatcher for a local agency in Colorado. I'm a big fan of our radio system. The mutual aid channels are set up well and easy to understand. Working in the Denver metro area, I have the ability to communicate with any agency in the state. The big problem is that we have the technology, ...more »
3 comments for Idea: Require interoperable radio policiesRequire agencies that have access to interoperable radio systems to include their use in their written policies.
I work as a police/fire dispatcher for a local agency in Colorado. I'm a big fan of our radio system. The mutual aid channels are set up well and easy to understand. Working in the Denver metro area, I have the ability to communicate with any agency in the state.
The big problem is that we have the technology, but we don't use it. While the fire department makes use of mutual aid and other agencies channels when participating in a mutual aid event, our police department doesn't. I don't think my agency is alone in this.
Law enforcement officials need to train with their radios AT LEAST as much as they train with their firearms.
« less full details »