Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability for key public safety personnel to talk with one another via communication systems – to exchange voice and/or data with one another on demand and in real time, whenever necessary. It creates intercommunications that support effective tactical incident management and strategic emergency management activities; these in turn support a continuity of operations and government functions during emergencies and catastrophic events.

The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), Advisory Group, and Initiative Actions Teams (IAT) continue to work on implementing the initiatives contained in the annually updated Statewide Strategic Plan for Interoperable Communications. This supports the practitioner driven process to ensure all stakeholders remain involved in the effort. In 2004, to address the issues surrounding communications interoperability, the Commonwealth of Virginia partnered with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) SAFECOM program to develop a stakeholder driven interoperability governance structure and Statewide Strategic Plan. The stakeholder driven process used to develop the FY2005 Statewide Strategic Plan for Interoperable Communications has resulted in Virginia’s process being recognized by Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) and SAFECOM as a national best practices model for interoperable communications planning. Additionally, the Commonwealth established a dedicated office, the Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator’s Office (CICO), to coordinate interoperable communications efforts for localities, regions, and state agencies. Virginia was the first state in the nation to have a full time coordinator.

For more information, visit the Interoperability in Virginia web site.