For first responders, including police officers, fire rescue professionals, and EMS teams, interoperability is the foundation for situational awareness and effective action. When systems, devices, and agencies work together seamlessly, information can be exchanged and used quickly and efficiently to achieve a common goal.
Many public safety agencies are investing in emerging technologies like AI and drones to deliver the interoperability they need. Whether an officer is accessing dispatch details on their way to a scene or an on-scene firefighter is tracking crew locations, information must flow smoothly and without delay.
In this blog, we’ll explore the challenges around interoperability and best practices public safety agencies can use to strengthen collaboration.
The Interoperability Challenge
Public safety agencies use many different tools and systems, and too often, they don’t work well together. The implications can become dire during incidents that involve multiple agencies, because if teams can’t see the same information at the same time, they can’t work together effectively.
According to a SAFECOM Nationwide Survey, 94% of public safety organizations respond to emergency situations that require them to establish interoperable communications with agencies outside their jurisdiction. However, during out-of-the-ordinary situations, such as large-scale emergencies, almost half (43%) of organizations are unable to achieve any interoperable communications within the first hour after their units arrive.
Interoperability involves making sure systems can talk to each other. When they can, responders are able to share a clear picture of what’s happening and make faster decisions. In emergencies, that kind of connection can make a real, life-saving difference.
For instance, in a large building fire multiple response teams may all arrive on the scene, each with different responsibilities but a shared need for information. Fire rescue professionals must understand where conditions are most dangerous, while police and EMS support evacuations and patient care. Interoperable communication allows all three teams to share real-time updates with each other and align on priorities.
With interoperability, responses are faster, safer, and more effective. Without it, teams work in isolation, risking greater danger to both responders and civilians.
Start with the Right Mobile Devices
To enhance interoperability, public safety agencies are turning to emerging technologies – including AI, ML, drones, and robotics. However, to fully harness the capabilities of these and other advanced technologies, agencies first need to invest in the right mobile devices.
Mobile solutions are critical because they form the frontline connection between responders, data, and command centers. While officers can access information from a vehicle, stepping out – approaching a car window or moving into an active scene – requires the mobility that smaller handheld devices provide. At the same time, laptops offer a full computing platform for reviewing detailed information and filing reports efficiently – tasks that handheld devices cannot handle alone. Having the right mix of vehicle-mounted and handheld devices allows responders to stay connected wherever the situation takes them.
Laptops, tablets, handhelds, and other mobile devices can be used to streamline common manual workflows, such as reporting and record-keeping, giving first responders immediate access to critical information for faster, more coordinated responses. And the more rugged the mobile device, the more reliable it is. Rugged devices continue to perform in the harsh field conditions first responders often face, from extreme temperatures to hazardous environments.
Rugged devices also provide the performance and reliability necessary to power emerging technologies. For example, they enable first responders to use AI-based software to analyze data in real time, giving commanders clearer awareness as incidents evolve. Drones and robotic systems also run on today’s rugged mobile devices, extending visibility into dangerous environments and helping responders assess conditions, locate victims, and plan safer approaches before crews move in.
A Path Forward: Real-Time Data and Connectivity
When selecting mobile devices and other solutions to enhance interoperability, follow these three general guidelines:
- Use common standards so data and communications can be easily shared across fire, EMS, and law enforcement teams.
- Choose technology designed to work together, not isolated systems that require workarounds.
- Train regularly across disciplines, using real-world scenarios to build familiarity before incidents occur.
Purpose-built devices like Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, combined with Honeywell mobility and data capture solutions, are designed to work well together in critical environments. Through Panasonic Connect’s strategic partnership with Honeywell, agencies gain more choice in interoperable handheld and mobile solutions that integrate smoothly into existing workflows.
The latest mobile devices give first responders access to real-time data for effective emergency response. Built-in GPS, for example, allows teams to plan the fastest routes to incidents, while the integration of GIS, 3D mapping, housing pre-plans, and typical DOT cameras deepens the team's comprehension of road conditions they will face and the structural layouts awaiting them.
Reliable connectivity is also essential. First responders depend on dedicated networks such as Verizon Frontline and AT&T FirstNet, which are designed to stay operational during major events, when consumer networks may fail. TOUGHBOOK devices are certified to support both networks, giving responders confidence that they can stay connected in crowded urban areas and remote locations, as well as during hurricanes and other severe weather.
Other features of the latest rugged mobile devices, like high-performance antennas, rigorous durability testing, and dual SIM capability, also support interoperability. For example, dual SIM allows devices to switch between networks if one goes down, helping maintain communications when they’re needed most. These and other capabilities ensure responders stay connected even in fast-moving vehicles and unpredictable conditions.
Seamless Connections Drive Efficient Responses
Interoperability is no longer optional for public safety; it’s the foundation for effective, life-saving response. When data flows seamlessly between devices and agencies, first responders gain real-time awareness, make faster decisions, and work more effectively together.
Rugged mobile solutions, from laptops to handhelds, provide access to critical information, GPS, maps, and building plans, while reliable networks ensure continuous communication even in extreme conditions. By choosing purpose-built, interoperable technology and adopting best practices, agencies can turn data into actionable insights, improving safety and outcomes for both responders and the communities they serve.
Through Panasonic Connect, public safety agencies can deploy these solutions securely and efficiently, supporting emerging technologies while maintaining reliability, compatibility, and trust.
Learn more about Panasonic Connect’s solutions and support services designed to help EMS, police, and fire departments deploy the latest tech solutions securely and efficiently.
