[StBernard] State improving interoperability among first responders

[Westley Annis]

State improving interoperability among first responders
Governor establishes panel to direct creation of statewide system 

BATON ROUGE, LA-Created through Executive Order to address the need for
compatible and effective communication among first responders, Governor
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has charged the Statewide Interoperable
Communication System Executive Committee to develop a statewide, user-driven
approach among all levels of government to provide reliable communications
for the entire emergency response community. 

The committee, which will consist of communications and first responder
experts, is charged with immediately addressing communications challenges
experienced by emergency personnel in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita. The committee will work in concert with efforts already underway
to improve interoperability in Louisiana. 

Since September 11, Louisiana has been making efforts to improve its
communication systems. Cooperation among all first responders is vital to
the safety of Louisiana. Current improvements to interoperability and the
formation of the Statewide Interoperable Communication System Executive
Committee will ensure that law enforcement, fire, emergency medical
services, public works, emergency preparedness, National Guard, 911
communication dispatchers and others, working together, will truly achieve a
secure homeland in Louisiana.

"Communication is critical to direct emergency response. Emergency
responders must be able to talk to one another. You can't coordinate if you
can't communicate," said Governor Blanco. "What we experienced in Katrina
was not a failure to communicate, but an inability to communicate. I have
instructed this committee to partner with local police, sheriffs, state, and
federal officials to develop a state of the art communications system that !
can fully perform in emergency situations." 

The committee, as established in Executive Order No. KBB 2006-4, is charged
with several duties, including designing, constructing, administering, and
maintaining a statewide shared voice, data, and imagery communication
system. 

First responders are working to improve communications by the start of the
2006 hurricane season. In partnership with State Police, first responders in
14 parishes, including those in southeast Louisiana, will have compatibility
solutions in place by June, the beginning of the 2006 hurricane season,
which is four months away. Consistent with the Louisiana Totally
Interoperable Environment (LATIE) plan adopted by a committee with
representation from all of the emergency responder disciplines from all
parts of the state, by 2007, 22 parishes, including those in southwest
Louisiana, will be added to, supported by, and connected to the unified
communications network. The remaining parishes in the state will join the
network in 2008. 

Ultimately, the committee will use its experts and advisors to plan for and
execute what will be a reliable system for all Louisiana responders to
communicate using compatible equipment and resources. 

For more information about the state's efforts to improve interoperability
visit the Louisiana State Police Web site at www.lsp.org
<"http://www.lsp.org"> . 

To view the full text of Executive Order No. KBB 2006-4, click
http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/Executive_Orders/4execInteroperableCo
mmunicationSystem.pdf
<"http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/Executive_Orders/4execInteroperable
CommunicationSystem.pdf"> 

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org