NPSTC issues interoperability best practice reports

The US National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Governing Board has approved a master report and three best practice statements that identify specific actions local public safety agencies can take to improve emergency communications interoperability.

NPSTC was asked to define essential radio interoperability best practices following the deaths of 19 wildland firefighters during the Yarnell Hill incident in 2013.

The master report (PDF) explains the role of best practices and the use of migration strategies to enhance first responder safety and how each topic relates to the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum with regard to standard operating procedures, governance, technology, training/exercise and usage.

The first three best practice statements cover specific issues that are critical to achieve interoperability:

• Best Practice #1 (PDF): Nationwide interoperability channel naming and usage
• Best Practice #2 (PDF): Interoperability systems change management practices
• Best Practice #3 (PDF): Training and proficiency in the management and usage of interoperability equipment and systems

In developing these best practices recommendations, the Working Group used the recommendations and information contained in after-action and incident reports that noted specific areas for improvement and agency or regional operating procedures, which were submitted for review to determine if strategic-level best practices could be defined and recommended for buildout into a Best Practice Statement.

The Working Group has identified 13 topics that will result in unique best practice statements. NPSTC intends to publish these additional reports as they are completed by the Working Group.

Image: ©FreeImages.com/Kenn Kiser

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