Sprint Asks Obama to Set Up $2 Billion First-Responder Network
Why don't you ask the Firefighters?
While almost all of the discussion here has concentrated on the "Big 3" networks and who's the best and who's the worst the real issue is fallen by the wayside.
I'm a firefighter. I use 2-way radio communications everyday. We also use Nextel phones as NON-emergency communications. More because it's a paradigm we're used to than anything else. IMHO
The true issue is that there are so many different frequencies that we use (VHF & UHF) that we actually have to carry 2 radios on many calls. And that doesn't even allow us to communicate with the police.
I was lucky enough to respond to the aftermath of Katrina as part of the mutual aid response from Illinois. Do you know how many different radio systems were used there? It was a nightmare! Fire, Police, EMS, Military, and then each of these from many different states.
We, the actual users, hope that our new President will sit down with the First Responders, determine what we need and then go back to the communications industry and TELL THEM fix this! Make this work!
Unfortunately, this discussion is a microcosm of what is happening on this issue. The real issue is lost in the infighting and boasting of the industry.
Remember all of this when you have an emergency. How important will it be to you then?
I'm a firefighter. I use 2-way radio communications everyday. We also use Nextel phones as NON-emergency communications. More because it's a paradigm we're used to than anything else. IMHO
The true issue is that there are so many different frequencies that we use (VHF & UHF) that we actually have to carry 2 radios on many calls. And that doesn't even allow us to communicate with the police.
I was lucky enough to respond to the aftermath of Katrina as part of the mutual aid response from Illinois. Do you know how many different radio systems were used there? It was a nightmare! Fire, Police, EMS, Military, and then each of these from many different states.
We, the actual users, hope that our new President will sit down with the First Responders, determine what we need and then go back to the communications industry and TELL THEM fix this! Make this work!
Unfortunately, this discussion is a microcosm of what is happening on this issue. The real issue is lost in the infighting and boasting of the industry.
Remember all of this when you have an emergency. How important will it be to you then?
Replies
- Re: Why don't you ask the Firefighters? by BigShowJB
- Re: Why don't you ask the Firefighters? by Floppy93
