That’s what OODA stands for. It’s a term coined by Colonel John R. Boyd (January 23, 1927 — March 9, 1997; pictured right), a United States Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist, whose theories have influenced both military and business strategies.

He used the term “OODA Loop” to describe the process that individuals and organizations use to react to events. The key to success is the creation of situations where one can make appropriate decisions more rapidly than others.

Whether your adversary is Mother Nature or the business down the block, with OODAlink you can access the information you need most —exactly when you need it —so you can prevail in even the most difficult situations.

OODAlink was founded to help people and organi­za­tions implement their own “OODA Loops” to quickly understand what is going on (Observe and Orient), know what to do (Decide), and be able to do it (Act) — all the while learning from the experience (Loop).

We do so by producing easy-to-use satellite-based solutions (OODAkits) for commu­ni­cat­ing when tradi­tional networks aren’t available.

The end result is greater peace of mind—from staying connected to those most impor­tant to you—whether they’re customers, colleagues, partners, suppli­ers, friends, or family.

Last November, Timothy Manning, FEMA’s Deputy Administrator of the National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) announced that preparedness grant funds can be used for fees associated with equipment purchases.

An excerpt from the FEMA Grants Program Directorate’s bulletin released by his office:

“Effective [November 2o, 2009], the use of FEMA preparedness grant funds for maintenance contracts, warranties, repair or replacement costs, upgrades, and user fees are allowable under all active and future grant awards, unless otherwise noted.”

How Does FEMA Define User Fees for Preparedness?

The FEMA information bulletin offers this definition:

“User fees are viewed as costs for specific services required to maintain and provide continued operation of equipment or systems. An example would be the recurring service fees associated with handheld radios or mobile data computers.”

Another example (okay, here comes the shameless plug) would be satellite airtime services — to keep calls and data flowing to an OODAkit, BGAN terminal or satellite phone.

Key to surviving his ordeal was communicating with his fellow captives using a clever “tap code” they created. Having interviewed Bob, researcher Dennis Charney, Professor of Psychiatry at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, points to social support as being pivotal to human resilience:

“Everybody needs a tap code. Everybody needs a way to communicate with other people to get through tough times.”

This is precisely why we developed the OODAkit — a tap code for the 21st century.

• 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.

When disaster strikes, is your community able to transfer critical information to those who can help? Do you have the communications tools to share information if your local telecommunications infrastructure is down? What if you have to change your operational location? Can you take these tools with you? Who provides power?

As a precursor to interoperability, be sure to address your communications operability needs to make sure you can connect and coordinate with the people, processes, and systems that will make a real difference in your ability to care for your community. With this preparedness fundamental in place, you are then in a position to begin the process of establishing interoperability amongst the people, processes and agencies that can make your response profile even more effective.

Remember — you can’t be interoperable if you aren’t operable. After all, our capacity to work together begins with a willingness AND an ability to share information.

Check out these resources:

• DHS’s National Emergency Communications Plan
• Interoperability via Satellite: Breaking Communications Barriers by Intelsat General Corporation
• CommsFirst, Inc., a managed services provider of operable and interoperable communications

Despite the many admonitions and recommendations we’ve received, only a small percentage of people, organizations, and communities are truly prepared to deal effectively with the next crisis or emergency whether man-made or natural. Perhaps a change in perspective would increase our local, regional, and national preparedness postures.

During this holiday season and as we enter the new year of 2010, let us consider becoming more prepared as individuals, families, organizations, and communities as a gift that we can offer to others. By being more prepared ourselves, we can be available to help each other when the next challenging event occurs — as it surely will.

Happy Holidays to all!