In the FRC's most recent report, The Imminent Storm 2006, we indicated that one of the most vexing problems in achieving communications interoperability was political rather than technical. Turf tussles and jurisdictional infighting have actually impeded efforts towards achieving communications interoperability.

During a speech yesterday at the Tactical Interoperable Communications Conference, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff took a cue from our report, stressing the need for cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies to achieve emergency communications interoperability. (The Homeland Security Watch blog has a concise account of the Secretary's speech, with interesting commentary.)

While I'm glad to see that Chertoff read our report, I would suggest that a large part of what hampers coordination among the many stakeholders and between various levels of government is not having a plan everyone can work together on, with a common goal everyone can work together on achieving.

Work began on a National Interoperability Baseline Study in January 2005, and, once it's completed, will help to:

1. Identify where interoperability improvements need to be made
2. Identify steps that can be taken to achieve specific interoperability objectives
3. Direct funding for public safety communications
4. Focus interoperability improvement efforts
5. Establish a baseline against which progress can be measured moving forward

When the project was announced in September 2005, it was estimated the survey would be completed in six months. Now, the findings are not scheduled to be released until late 2006 - five years after 9/11 and well into the 2006 hurricane season.

Emergency responders have waited long enough to receive the resources they deserve. The National Interoperability Baseline Study is needed to assist emergency responders in their coordination efforts. Where is it?