Department Of Information Technology

Maryland First Logo​​​​

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is communications interoperability?
  2. Who are emergency responders?

  3. What are the components of a truly interoperable communications system and what are the barriers to creating one?

  4. Why is communications interoperability important?

  5. How long will it take to achieve emergency response communications interoperability?

  6. What is P25?

  7. What is radio spectrum and why is it important to interoperability?
  8. Once the radio system is fully deployed, what kind of maintenance will be involved in keeping it operational?

  9. What does the rollout of Maryland FiRST mean for the state?

  10. Who is eligible to join and use the MD FiRST System?

  11. How does a potential user apply for use of the MD FiRST system?

  12. What equipment will individual agencies be responsible for acquiring to join the MD FiRST system?


  1. What is communications interoperability? 
       
    In general, interoperability refers to the ability of emergency responders to work seamlessly with other systems or products without any special effort. Wireless communications interoperability specifically refers to the ability of emergency response officials to share information via voice and data signals on demand, in real time, when needed, and as authorized. For example, when communications systems are interoperable, police and firefighters responding to a routine incident can talk to each other to coordinate efforts. Communications interoperability also makes it possible for emergency response agencies responding to catastrophic accidents or disasters to work effectively together. Finally, it allows emergency response personnel to maximize resources in planning for major predictable events such as the Super Bowl or an inauguration, or for disaster relief and recovery efforts.
       
    back to top

  2. Who are emergency responders? 

    Emergency responders include law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers who are the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency. Secondary responders could be transportation agencies, highway, forestry departments, and others who help secure an emergency scene and assist in the recovery efforts. 

    back to top

  3. What are the components of a truly interoperable communications system and what are the barriers to creating one?

    There are a variety of challenges to interoperability: some are technical, some financial, and some stem from human factors such as inadequate planning and lack of awareness of the real importance of interoperability.

    According to a report published in February 2003 by the National Task Force on Interoperability, the emergency response community views the following as the key issues hampering emergency response wireless communications:

    Incompatible and aging communications equipment;

    Limited and fragmented budget cycles and funding;

    Limited and fragmented planning and coordination;

    Limited and fragmented radio spectrum;

    And limited equipment standards.

    back to top

  4. Why is communications interoperability important?

    Interoperability improves the ability of emergency responders to reduce the loss of life and property in emergency situations; facilitates rapid and efficient interaction among all emergency response organizations; and provides immediate and coordinated assistance in day-to-day missions, task force operations, and mass-casualty incidents. Interoperability affects not only emergency responders, but the public service arena as well, including legislative officials, utilities agencies, and chief information officers. Adequate emergency response radio communications are essential for emergency responders to function promptly, effectively, and cost efficiently. If emergency response agencies cannot communicate directly with one another by radio to coordinate response, lives and property are at risk.

    back to top

  5. How long will it take to achieve emergency response communications interoperability? 

    There is no quick and easy solution to solving communications interoperability issues. Achieving an optimal state of nationwide interoperability involves both human and technological factors and will be the result of a cumulative effort that involves coordination of processes and input from stakeholders across all levels of government.

    Full interoperability could take 20 years because of equipment life cycles and time needed to develop and implement standards. In the mean time, the SIEC and other organizations are working to ensure short-term solutions are in place.

    back to top

  6. What is P25?

    Project 25 (P25) defines a suite of standards for a digital wireless radio communications system to be used by the emergency response community. To allow multiple vendors to supply the products and services to the communications system users, the Project 25 system has eight interfaces for which standards are or will be developed. Each interface allows the products of one manufacturer to interoperate with products of other manufacturers by defining the signaling and messages that cross the interface. For example, an agency could purchase P25 portable radios from one or more vendors, mobile radios from other vendors, the base stations from others, and dispatch consoles from still other vendors; all would have the features the agency needs to accomplish its mission, and all would interoperate under the P25 standards. Maryland is working to make our new system P25 Phase 2 compliant once those standards are fully defined.

    back to top

  7. What is radio spectrum and why is it important to interoperability?

    Radio spectrum is one of the nation's most valuable, finite resources. It is electronic real estate-the complete range of frequencies and channels that can be used for radio communications. Spectrum is the highway over which voice, data, and image communications travel. Inadequate radio spectrum is a major barrier to effective emergency response communications, both in major events and in day-to-day operations. Without access to effective radio spectrum, emergency response personnel cannot communicate with their own agencies and with each other as needed.

    back to top

  8. Once the radio system is fully deployed, what kind of maintenance will be involved in keeping it operational?

    Right now, a lot of the infrastructure we’re using — the radio towers and some of the buildings — are owned by individual agencies. So the state is working toward legislation that would create a state radio control board, which would create a governance body that would be responsible for the radio system operation and maintenance. Question and Answer Taken From This Article

    back to top

  9. What does the rollout of Maryland FiRST mean for the state?

    The first order of magnitude was to get the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and one of our counties, Kent County, on the system as the first users. That was driven by the FCC deadline. Both agencies had to narrowband, which essentially means you have to replace a lot of your equipment and all of your radios to be more compact in how you use the spectrum that you get from the FCC. It’s an expensive upgrade from the regular systems. So rather than have individual state agencies operating on different radio systems, and each one having a different life cycle and on different frequencies, Gov. Martin O’Malley put out an executive order that the state move toward one single radio system for all state agencies, as well as encourage local jurisdictions to join the state system. Question and Answer Taken From This Article

    back to top

  10. Who is eligible to join and use the MD FiRST System?

    Any local, state, or federal governmental agency that qualifies as a Public Safety provider under the FCC 700 MHz Band definition of a Public Safety agency is eligible to apply for use of the system.

    back to top

  11. How does a potential user apply for use of the MD FiRST system?

    Agencies will need to contact the State of Maryland Interoperability Program Management Office (PMO) to begin the membership process. The applying agency will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the MD FiRST system. The PMO can be contacted at md-first.radio@maryland.gov .

    back to top

  12. What equipment will individual agencies be responsible for acquiring to join the MD FiRST system?

    The applying agency will be responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of any mobile and portable radios, as well as any consoles or agency specific dispatch equipment. The PMO will provide specifications for the equipment. 

    back to top

Maryland Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Human Trafficking GET HELP

National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential

1-888-373-7888 233733 More Information
on human trafficking in Maryland

Customer Service Promise

The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services.

Take Our Survey

Help Stop Fraud in State Government

The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

More Information

© Copyright Maryland.gov. All rights reserved.

100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032
300-301 West Preston Street, Baltimore MD 21201
410-697-9700 or Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay