IP: more on : A "Better Network" for Emergency Communications

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Second the note djf

> Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2001 15:09:25 -0500
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: Charles Brownstein <cbrownst () cnri reston va us>
> Subject: Re: IP: RE: A "Better Network" for Emergency Communications
> Cc: David Farber <dave () farber net>
>
> The lack of interoperability of emergency networks has been well known for 
> years.
> It was documented in detail in Gore's reinventing Government program back 
> in '93, to name one of many places this has been "exposed".
>
> The solution has little to do with new research or even with technology 
> innovation, 'tho it would be smart to look ahead should anyone ever 
> seriously attempt to take action.
>
> The problem has more to do with jurisdiction, politics and sunk investment 
> (dollars and sense). The solution too has been sitting around for years- 
> it is called "standards."
>
> With the owners of the systems stovepiped into autonomous bureaucracies, 
> often with different funding godfathers in the congress or across local, 
> state and federal jurisdictions, no one has had the authority or 
> aggregated the power or the funds or the will to clear away the political 
> roadblocks and select a standard or better yet a set of them and to 
> require adherence.
>
> The LAST thing that is needed, or that would be practical, is to screw up 
> the public network with emergency rules that fail to touch the spectrum of 
> emergency services operations- with a big stick. We need action that adds 
> to the nation's capabilities to deal with unexpected emergencies rather 
> than detracts from it. Citizens do quite well with their phones and hands.

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