Mobile Command Vehicle Operators of the World, UNITE!

     For many agencies, receiving interoperable communications equipment only replaces one problem with another. Yes, they now have the equipment they need to communicate with other responders on different bands and using different radio equipment. However, having such equipment doesn't automatically make a department's personnel knowledgeable in using it. Besides, even when the techs have read the manuals, the equipment tends to stay in the box until a crisis hits.

     The police and fire-rescue departments in Montgomery County, MD, have set out to remedy these and other communications issues. Since 2004, the Montgomery County Police Department has invited mobile command vehicle operators in the Baltimore/District of Columbia/Northern Virginia region to attend annual daylong communications rallies. These give operators a chance to network, share knowledge and work together in training exercises focused on using their equipment and capabilities to the fullest. The most recent was held on October 25, 2006, at the Rockville Civic Center.

     "The rallies were inspired by interoperability failures in crises such as 9/11," says John Freeburger, interoperability coordinator for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue. "We wanted to bring together knowledge from all the lessons learned from those events and share it among first responders. We also want to help train them to use the equipment they have, learn how to work more easily together, and see how much is now available. Today you can use everything from interoperable communications in voice and data to video feeds downloaded from surveillance aircraft."

How Rally Works
     The event begins with the arrival of local command vehicles to the rally site. They are manned by the personnel normally assigned to them-so that the vehicles can be dispatched if their home departments need them-plus officers and managers each department designates for training.

     For first responders, being in such a setting allows them to wander from truck to truck, getting to know other departments' officers and equipment personally. It's a great chance to see the latest technology without a salesperson close at hand (although some vendors do send subject-matter experts to help).

     However, show-and-tell isn't what the mobile command vehicle rally is all about. "We use the gathering to issue scenarios to the crews," says Freeburger. "Working in groups, they look over their equipment and capabilities to see how they could respond to difficult interoperability situations."

     Working through the scenarios provides valuable training. It also gets attendees talking to each other and forming relationships that may pay off when real crises occur.

     "People are often shocked to learn just how much they can do with the equipment they already have," Freeburger says. "It's common to hear people say, 'I didn't know I could do that!' Others discover gaps in their interop suites and what they need to get funding for."

Education Without Embarrassment
     Having all these vehicles in one place is quite a sight, and a natural for attracting media attention. But reporters and cameras are not allowed in. The reason? By being able to learn in private, first responders can be more candid in their conversations and take more risks when running scenarios.

     "First responders spend a lot of time in the public eye," says Freeburger. "For them to really learn to their fullest, they need to be able to get education without embarrassment. That's why we keep the rallies closed."

Organizing Your Own Rally
     Given that the National Capital Region is now preparing for its fourth annual rally, it's clear these events work.

     "Every year, our enrollment gets higher," Freeburger says. "Those who have already taken part know that we set people up to learn, not to fail. They also take the benefits of their education here back to their departments and get more out of their equipment. As well, neighboring departments that have taken part tend to work together better after the event, and form closer, more useful relationships not just for communications, but in all aspects of police, fire and EMS work. It's a win-win for everyone involved. Of course, once those who have attended start talking about their positive experiences, more people want to come."

     Given the need to keep the vehicles within driving range of their jurisdictions, the National Capital Region rally can't serve the entire U.S. However, NCR officials are willing to offer advice to other regions seeking to organize their own rallies, including ideas and sample materials for training exercises.

     This said, "You need to have one department in the rally area that takes responsibility for organizing and hosting it," says Freeburger. "You also need to get high-level buy-in to the concept from potential participants, so that the proper people will be given time to attend. Time is important: A rally can't be thrown together in a few weeks. It takes time to contact people and get their agreement to attend, obtain a site, prepare materials, communicate with attendees and get volunteers to help out on the day. Finally, you need to think of creature comforts such as washrooms, food and drink."

     A mobile command vehicle rally is a great way to energize interoperability efforts in a region. "We've done it for three years, and we've seen a real improvement in how our attendees use their equipment, react to situations and work together," says Freeburger.

James Careless is a freelance journalist with extensive experience covering public-safety communications issues.