Illinois Interop Challenges

A long story in the Chicago Daily Herald looked at the communications lessons of Sept. 11th, and the needed improvements that were recommended by experts. The article concludes, “Five years later, emergency officials in suburban Chicago say that Illinois heeded that call in part, installing expensive equipment throughout the state and Chicago area that increases the vital flow of communication between police, firefighters, public works, local municipalities, counties and state officials.” The state has spent $27.6 million to improve communications among public safety agencies. The story says, “Costs aren’t the only challenge to better communications. Agencies that aren’t traditionally used to working together have to work as a team.” Read more about what’s being done–or not–here.