Bridging the communication gap: the critical need for interoperable emergency response systems

On a hot Tuesday afternoon in November 2021, two teenage cousins ventured to Karioitahi Beach in New Zealand after a morning of exams. The beach, known for its rugged black sands and powerful rip currents, was a familiar place to the girls, both proficient swimmers. However, this particular day turned tragic when one of them was caught in a rip current. Despite her cousin’s attempts to help, she was forced to swim back to shore to seek help.

What unfolded next underscores a critical issue plaguing emergency responses worldwide: the lack of interoperability between communication systems. Karioitahi Beach, at that time, had no cellular coverage, and surf lifesavers do not patrol on weekdays. The local police, who were onsite, use a P25 radio system, while the surf lifesaving club operates a DMR network. The two systems could not communicate directly, requiring information to pass through multiple agencies, each using different technology. By the time an IRB was launched — 15 minutes after the initial call — it was too late.

This heartbreaking incident is a glaring reminder of how technological silos can cost lives. The issue of radio communication interoperability has persisted for decades, hampering coordinated responses to emergencies, natural disasters, and even daily incidents.

Interoperability: not a new problem

Interoperability — the ability of different agencies to communicate seamlessly in real time — is not a new problem. Reports dating back to Cyclone Tracy in 1974 highlighted similar communication failures. During Australia’s 2019 bushfires, for example, Queensland authorities had to request assistance from a New South Wales-based helicopter. However, because the two teams operated on incompatible communication systems, the helicopter had to land to deliver critical information in person.

Such inefficiencies aren’t limited to Australia or New Zealand. In the United States, where emergency communication often relies on P25 radios, agencies frequently struggle with transitioning from outdated analog systems. Even when P25-capable devices are available, many are still used in analog mode due to slow adoption of newer technology. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated specific public safety spectrum bands in the US, these measures alone haven’t resolved the issue.

The technology divide

At the heart of this challenge lies the technical nature of radio communication. Land mobile radio (LMR) systems operate in specific frequency ranges within the radio spectrum, creating ‘islands of operation’. Historically, semiconductor limitations meant that radios were designed to function within narrow frequency bands. Even when agencies adopted the same technology, such as P25 or DMR, differences in operating frequencies rendered their systems incompatible.

Recent advances in semiconductor technology, particularly the introduction of gallium nitride (GaN), have begun to change this. GaN semiconductors enable radios to cover broader frequency ranges, paving the way for multiband devices. These innovations allow for radios like the Tait TP9800, a multiband device that can operate across a frequency range that spans 136 to 941 MHz.

However, while multiband devices can address frequency disparities, they cannot solve interoperability issues stemming from entirely different communication technologies, like the events described in the introduction to this article. This has changed with the release of the Tait TP9900 multiband, multiprotocol radio. With the TP9900, any public safety agency in need of interoperability between P25 and DMR can effortlessly achieve it through a mode change — simply switching between protocols with the turn of a knob. The TP9900 represents a substantial stride towards bridging the interoperability requirements of both P25 and DMR users that need to exchange voice communication.

Why voice still matters

Despite advances in data-driven communication technologies, voice remains the cornerstone of emergency response. Voice communication provides immediacy and emotional context that text-based or automated systems cannot replicate. Studies conducted with the New Zealand Police have shown how critical clear communication is under stress. Officers’ heart rates spike not only during high-stakes moments but also when they lose connection or face communication delays.

The need for seamless communication is not just a technological issue — it’s a matter of policy, funding and urgency. Multiband, multiprotocol devices like the TP9900 are a step in the right direction, but they require widespread adoption and integration into public safety strategies.

However, technology alone cannot solve this issue. Governments and agencies must prioritise harmonising standards, funding system upgrades and training personnel.

Conclusion

The tragedy at Karioitahi Beach was a wake-up call, but it also represents a broader issue faced by emergency responders globally. Lives depend on the ability to communicate across agencies, technologies and jurisdictions. While technological advancements like multiband, multiprotocol radios offer hope, achieving true interoperability will require collaboration, innovation and commitment. The question isn’t whether we can solve this problem — it’s whether we will act quickly enough to prevent the next tragedy.

*An engineer by training, Paul began his career as a research scientist at the UK’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency while also completing his doctorate. Paul has a broad background across both the public and private sectors, holding senior positions in government, education and commercial enterprises. Paul has held senior product management roles at Tait Communications; most recently, he was the VP of Product Management, responsible for Tait’s global product portfolio.

Top image credit: iStock.com/Jamie Fraser