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Communications & Technology Resources

Government Relations

Communications issues, including D Block activities

IAFC Positions

Go to Communications & Technology positions

Downloadable Tools & Other Resources

Interoperability

P25 Compliance Assessment Program (CAP), Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, DHS:

Radio Communications for the Fire Service (pdf, 1.1 mb)
A Planning Guide for Obtaining the Communications System You Need for Enhanced Safety and Emergency Preparedness

National Task Force on Interoperability resources:

• When They Can't Talk Lives Are Lost: What Public Officials Need to Know About Interoperability (pdf)
• Why Can't We Talk? Working Together to Bridge the Communications Gap to Save Lives: A Guide for Public Officials (pdf, 1.3 mb)
• Why Can't We Talk? Supplemental resources (pdf)

Portable Radio Best Practices (pdf)
     Portable Radio Best Practices Video: Say It Loud and Clear
     Archive: Digital Project

Join the Regional Planning Committees (pdf)
If your radio system is in the 800 MHz band or you are planning to use the new 700Mhz band, you should be involved in your RPC.

If you hold an FCC license for your radio system, send your Emergency Contact Information (pdf) to the FCC

Public Safety Broadband Network

Public Safety Broadband Directory

Narrowbanding

FCC Narrowbanding Mandate Deadline: January 1, 2013

• Time's Running Out to Meet the Narrowbanding Mandate
• Federal Communications Committee narrowbanding webpage

FCC Narrowbanding Mandate for VHF (150-174 MHz); UHF (421-450 MHz, 450-470MHz, 470-512MHz)

FCC Narrowbanding Mandate: A Public Safety Guide for Compliance (pdf)

Narrowbanding 101

Narrowbanding: Will It Affect Your Municipality?

Websites & External Resources

NPSTC Quarterly Newsletter
The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) is a volunteer federation of 15 public safety organizations, including the IAFC, representing fire, EMS, law enforcement, transportation and telecommunications. NPSTC is the technical and public policy voice for public safety communications; their quarterly newsletter provides a snapshot of current issues in this arena.

Article: Are You Ready? Plan Now for Narrowbanding (pdf) NPSTC Quarterly, Sept. 2009

D Block issue: Public Safety Alliance

FCC: Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

IMSA/IAFC Fire/EMS Radio Frequency Coordination Office

Public Safety Spectrum Trust