Communications breakdown

Communications breakdown: "Communications breakdown
First responders look for new ways to keep communications flowing in emergencies

Feds rush mobile communications to aid relief efforts [Federal Computer Week, Sept. 5, 2005]

Disasters were not an e-gov priority [Federal Computer Week, Sept. 12, 2005]

Congress pushes for more resilient telecom [Federal Computer Week, Sept. 26, 2005]
First responder communications

What worked:

* Interconnection devices that bridge two-way radio communications with incompatible handsets, and landline and wireless phones.
* Portable communications gear that uses voice-over-IP technology to send voice over data networks, including satellite links.
* Paging and two-way messaging that sometimes helped emergency response teams communicate when voice systems failed.