Description

This guide, presented by School Safety Partners (www.SchoolSafetyPartners.org) as part of a workshop on emergency communications for schools, is intended to focus on one solution -- shared channels -- that can provide an improved level of communications interoperability by using existing systems and resources.

This guide will help the emergency response community understand the level of effort, resources, and key actions needed to implement a shared channel solution. It will also provide case studies of regions that have successfully implemented a shared channel solution. Ultimately, this guide will provide officials with the necessary information to assist in determining if a shared channel solution is appropriate for their region.

Currently, a "virtual shared channel" solution is being implemented in Colorado, where schools can call 9-1-1 with an emergency and the dispatcher can immediately bridge the school radios with the advanced radios used by the professional responders.