Operable or Interoperable Communications? The Chicken or the Egg?
on Jan 04 in Interoperable Communications posted communications interoperability, communications operability, community preparedness, emergency communications, emergency management, interopable communications, national preparedness, Natural Disasters, Portable Communications, Preparedness, state preparedness by Jeff Jacobson
Operable or interoperable — which came first? A few definitions to get you thinkin’:
- Communications = a process of transferring information from one entity to another
- Operable = able to operate/perform your duties
- Interoperable = able to exchange and use information
- Interoperability = ability to work with each other
With all the talk of communications interoperability and all the money we’ve spent since 9/11, you’d think this problem has been solved. Perhaps it has in some specific cases, but for the majority of U.S. communities — despite the best of intentions — interoperability as well as basic communications operability is still lacking as a fundamental cornerstone of our local, regional, and national preparedness.


