Larger scale crises pull together more agencies and create a greater likelihood of disparate communications systems being unable to interoperate, Vick said. Enabling different types of systems to be linked can also allow local government officials that may not be directly involved on the scene to stay in touch and directly monitor what is happening, Vick said.

The Cisco IPICS provides the administration, setting up virtual talk groups that include the participating agencies. Local public safety officials plan in advance to determine who will be included, and Cisco routers are collocated with whatever communications systems are being included. The radio systems are connected to the router, and the analog or digital signal is converted to IP and interconnected through Verizon Business’ private IP network. “The connections can also be dynamic with a Web-based application to bring in different agencies should the need arise,” Vick said.

“Administrators can connect via a desktop computer using PMC, a push-to-talk client that enables them to interconnect with the IPICS platform to let them participate in what is going on,” Vick said. “They can also use IP phones on this system.”

The state of West Virginia’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is already using the Verizon Business Interoperability Solution to connect with local police and fire agencies throughout the state as well as other emergency personnel.

Vick sees the marketing of the system likely starting with larger city police or fire agencies but spreading to include surrounding suburban units and other agencies that typically work together.