Interoperability is the new “buzz word” in public safety but what does it actually mean and what are some of the barriers to adoption? Dr Michelle Gundy, renowned researcher and consultant, spoke to over 100 public safety professionals from all levels of their agencies to try to find a common definition of interoperability and debunk some of the myths surrounding interoperability today. Her published research study “Interoperability and Communication in Public Safety: Defining Interoperability and Dispelling Myths,” in partnership with CentralSquare Technologies, helps us understand the varying ways we look at interoperability and several myths that might be preventing more agencies from using interoperability software and practices today. These include the cultural and political aspects of the job which may be interfering with true cross-agency collaboration due to egos, competition and a fear of sharing data.
