5.4.14 Systems Interoperability
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Ensure Interoperable Communications Equipment – “The 800 MHz communications system is not compatible with the VHF and UHF systems, lack of communications caused command and control to be severely disrupted and firefighter safety was jeopardized, face-to-face meetings provided a reasonable effective means to resolve the part of the communication issue, but did not allow Group Leaders to stay in communication with subordinates, command vehicles with VHF and UHF radios allowed leaders to be more effective than those without, the use of cell phones was somewhat effective in resolving communications problems; but they were unreliable if power failed or cell towers burned, some cell phone networks became overloaded, which prevented calls, and some Units had Handi-Talkies but did not know how to program them.”
San Bernardino County Fire Chiefs’ Association: Lessons Learned Report: Fire Storm 2003: “Old Fire”
“The lack of interoperability between the communication systems of different agencies was a major obstacle to inter-agency cooperation during the blackout.”
Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportation System Management and Operations: August 2003 Northeast Blackout Great Lakes Region
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Realize Equipment Can Become Critical – “Because of the radio incompatibility, municipal and county department command vehicles with VHF capability allowed leaders to be far more effective than those without.”
Southern California Firestorm 2003: Report for the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
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Realize Normal Workarounds Can Be Insufficient – “Because the 800 MHz municipal and county communications system is not compatible with the state and federal VHF systems, command and control was severely disrupted and firefighters faced dramatically increased risk because of communications problems. Normal workarounds for incompatible communication systems were not sufficient for these incidents.”
Southern California Firestorm 2003: Report for the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
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Use Creative Ways to Communicate When Systems Are Not Interoperable – “Leaders began running incoming resources through a choke point to brief and pair or cross level communications so that each division or group supervisor, crew leader, or strike team leader could reliably communicate.”
Southern California Firestorm 2003: Report for the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
“Cell phones were effective in overcoming communications problems because of the complete coverage in the region but were unreliable when power failed or cell towers burned. Some cell networks were overloaded, preventing calls.”
Southern California Firestorm 2003: Report for the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
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Use Face-to-Face Communication When Necessary When Systems Are Not Interoperable – “Face-to-face coordination was the most effective means to resolve problems in the absence of communication interoperability, but had a direct impact on leaders’ abilities to stay in communication with subordinates.”
Southern California Firestorm 2003: Report for the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
February 7, 2006
Publication #FHWA–HOP-08-015
