DHS hasn't fixed interoperability problems

The US Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General, John Roth, has said that the department still does not have an acceptable level of interoperability in its radio communications.

In a letter to the Department’s Under Secretary for Management, Russell Deyo, Roth outlines the problem:

“Two and a half years ago, we published an audit, DHS’ Oversight of Interoperable Communications (OIG-13-06), in which we tested Department of Homeland Security (DHS) radios to determine whether DHS components could talk to each other in the event of a terrorist event or other emergency. They could not. Fewer than 0.25% of the 479 radio users we tested could access and use the specified common channel to communicate. Further, of the 382 radios tested, only 20% (78) contained all the correct program settings for the common channel.

“In other words, nearly a decade after the 9/11 Commission highlighted the problem with interoperable communications, DHS components could not talk to each other using about $430 million worth of radios purchased. They could not do so because DHS had not established an effective governing structure with the authority and responsibility to ensure it achieved department-wide, interoperable radio communications. Although DHS had established a common radio channel to enable all components to communicate using interoperable radio systems, the channel was not mandatory.

“We recently conducted a verification review to assess DHS’s progress on the recommendations from our November 2012 report. Unfortunately, DHS components’ inability to communicate effectively on the DHS common channel persists. Although the department has initiated corrective actions, including a draft communications interoperability plan and draft management directives to standardise department-wide radio activities, these documents have not been finalised. Moreover, DHS was unable to provide a timetable for finalising and disseminating these documents.”

Roth concluded: “DHS continues to lack reliable interoperable communications for emergencies, as well as daily operations and planned events. The inability to communicate effectively during an emergency presents serious risks to the health and safety of the public.”