Use press releases to inform the local and state stakeholder groups as the interview process is launched. As a result of the press releases:
- The state level stakeholders become aware of the increasing attention being paid to communications interoperability,
- The local stakeholders learn that the current planning process is designed to meet the needs of the practitioner,
- Individuals may elect themselves to be a part of the strategic planning process as implementation gets underway, and
- State and local members of the public safety community can find out about the federal efforts underway and what resources federal programs can offer to the local communities.
Please see Appendix Q for a sample press release.
Lesson Learned: Pay close attention to informing the practitioner community about national efforts.
The Virginia project team discovered there was a general lack of knowledge across the state and local level about the mission, vision, and current initiatives carried out by SAFECOM.