In this article, the operations chief for all federal response assets at Ground Zero talks about the future of standards-based interoperable communications.

America needs to ensure that fully interoperable communications systems are in place to carry critical information fast and uniformly, connecting law enforcement agencies so they can stay ahead of terrorists. All the nation's first responders need standards-based interoperable communications so they are equally informed and able to respond to threats and large-scale incidents.

To achieve this goal, the following questions must be resolved:

• Who needs to talk to whom and when during any incident
• Which media can be used that provides an appropriate combination of voice, text, data and images
• What standard can be adopted that incorporates text, data and images into a traditionally voice-dominated system
• What standardized formats can fire, police, emergency medical service and all public safety workers across the country communicate on
• Which technologies can be used and how can they be deployed

Successfully integrating interoperable communications tools and operational tactics will guarantee that our public safety decision-makers, fire chiefs to top federal officials, have the real-time information they need to balance the risks taken by their personnel against potential benefits, on a second-by-second basis.