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The New Mexico Modular Emergency Medical System (NM MEMS) Framework
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COMMUNICATIONS INTEROPERABILITY (CI)
Summary: NM MEMS communication and information management related needs will be addressed through the NIMS communication and information management system established by the State of New Mexico.
Description: Emergency personnel such as firefighters, police and EMS agencies are the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency and are supported by a variety of public safety agencies, including 911 call center staff and other local, state, and federal authorities. Timely communications, often occurring with wireless radios, are vital to response effectiveness, first responders and public safety. Communications interoperability, also referred to as compatibility or connectivity, refers to the capability of different electronic communications systems to readily connect with each other in order to enable timely communications.
All health care system entities must include communication interoperability into the emergency operations plans to ensure redundant two-way communication capability. For example, hospitals must be able to ensure communication during an incident that would allow for communication between and among hospitals and with the local emergency operations center and patient transportation personnel. Regularly scheduled tests of the interoperable communications system must be conducted at the state and local level in order to ensure effective communications capability during a state of emergency.
Improving interoperability of communications will improve overall response to an incident that is challenged by overwhelming patient surge.
Planning Assumptions:
a. Primary communication systems, such as land-lines and cell phones will become overloaded very quickly and alternate means of communications are essential for continued operation.
b. Back up or redundancy in communication plans should include Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) in both the government band and the Amateur Radio band.
c. Trained communication operators are a vital component for the continued operation of communications from any location.
d. There should be numerous personnel trained and equipped as communicators at every response location. These individuals should be trained and able to communicate by any means necessary.
