The first task in the planning process is to establish key relationships and determine who will be the champions for the communications interoperability planning process. This may be accomplished through informal conversations or interviews with key players in your state’s interoperability efforts. Include representatives from various local, state, and federal agencies and associations who have expressed an interest in communications interoperability.
These conversations will provide lessons learned from current and past efforts and an introduction to individuals with a passion for and expertise in the field of communications interoperability.
Questions to ask include:
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Who has influence in the public safety and first responder communities you serve? This includes public safety practitioners as well as political officials.
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Who has undertaken or is currently carrying out efforts to improve communications interoperability in your state and surrounding region?
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How are these efforts funded?
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Which local, state, and federal leaders are currently addressing the issue of communications interoperability?
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How much involvement do these efforts have from the local and/or state public safety community? Are the efforts they are backing successful? Why or why not?
This research will provide information about what others have done before and indicate how you might partner with initiatives currently underway.
Key areas of attention:
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Contact associations affiliated with public safety and first and secondary responder communities.
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Investigate press coverage on this issue at the state and local levels.
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Review other on-going state/local interoperability projects.
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Conduct informational interviews across state and local leadership.
Lesson Learned: It is helpful to establish a solid relationship with your state’s grant administrators for smoother movement of monies as your planning process progresses and the communications interoperability planning process takes off.