Washington State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC)
Public Safety Communications Interoperability Summits
Two Public Safety Communication Summits were held recently to disseminate information and gather feedback about interoperability; the ability of emergency responders to communicate across jurisdictional boundaries during crisis situations. Hundreds of people registered to attend the Summits including elected and appointed officials, experts on radio interoperability, and emergency responders.
The Governor’s Office, the State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and the National Governor’s Association sponsored the Summits in Spokane on Nov. 30 and at SeaTac on Dec. 5.
The most well known example of the need for interoperability is the tragedy of 9/11 when police got the word to evacuate before the second World Trade Center Tower collapsed and firefighters did not. This resulted in needless loss of life simply because the police and fire departments could not talk to each other due to incompatible radio systems.
While national emergencies loom large, it’s imperative to note that a large number of local emergencies could happen in any community on any day where interoperability can save lives.
Below, you’ll find links to the agendas and PowerPoint presentations given at the Summits.
If you have any questions, are interested in establishing agreements in your community, or would like to learn more, please contact Laura Kingman at siec@wsp.wa.gov or 360-507-3881.