Data communications within the emergency services: A mixed methods study of attempts to improve data communications systems interoperability and information sharing issues

The current availability and state of data communications within the emergency services is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if mobile emergency responders are able to share incident information with other mobile emergency responders. The study was to also determine if they can access the Internet. This study was based on two basic questions, the first which is based on interoperability: (a) can mobile emergency responders contact each other and share incident information via onboard data communications systems with other mobile emergency responders inside and outside of their jurisdiction? Can mobile emergency responders access the Internet via data communications systems to obtain required information? The study was conducted using a mixed methodology. Data was collected using a survey, interviews, and observing emergency responders across three separate county and municipal jurisdictions. The conclusions drawn from this study indicate that emergency responders are able to share information with other emergency responders inside of, and outside their jurisdiction. The conclusions also indicate that they can access the Internet to obtain required operational information.