If catastrophe strikes tomorrow, are we ready?

IF CATASTROPHE STRIKES TOMORROW, ARE WE READY?
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Former NTIA Heads Michael D. Gallagher and Larry Irving]
[Commentary] If a major catastrophe struck the United States today our first responders would not have the communications capabilities they need to save lives. Our federal, state and local public safety officers lack "interoperability," the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently across jurisdictions. Currently, in most places in the United States, a state police unit cannot directly communicate with a local sheriff. Nor can a county fire chief talk directly to a local firefighting unit or to federal officials. We've taken many important steps in recent months, and the pace is picking up with recent DHS and FCC actions. Enacting the 9/11 recommendations by Congress is also very encouraging. That said, it will take more of the strong, consistent leadership we're seeing today to get us to where we need to be: a safer country because those entrusted with protecting us have the interoperable communications tools they need to do their job.
http://news.com.com/If+catastrophe+strikes+tomorrow%2C+are+we+ready/2010...