Modernization of nation’s emergency communications infrastructure...

and emergency responder organizations, held briefing in Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. to recommend linking agencies and standardizing communications interfaces. Such interoperability would enable federal, state and local officials to exchange information in emergencies, thereby improving response times and patient outcomes, Assn. of Air Medical Services Exec. Dir. Dawn Mancuso said. National Assn. of EMS Physicians Pres. Richard Hunt said “lack of a methodology to rapidly communicate information was a problem” before and after Sept. 11 terrorist attacks “and hasn’t been solved yet.” He said “intelligent message broker” technology was needed to keep track of and disseminate real time information: “It’s not just about phone lines. It comes down to data.” Hunt said equipment investments were important, but funding to train personnel and support university-led R&D of emergency response best practices was equally critical. ComCARE Alliance Dir. David Aylward said first responders and medical care providers needed access to directories listing other emergency entities, which could be facilitated through Internet protocol system “that ties everyone together.” He said required technology was available in and used by commercial sector and must be brought into use by public safety entities: “It’s more about bringing people together, not going out and inventing something… We don’t have to build a network. It’s already there.”