All across the country, there have been failures in the communications systems used by first responders, such as firefighters, police, paramedics, and the National Guard. These failures can cost lives in emergencies both large and small. This problem has  gained particular attention in the tragic aftermaths of the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, when inadequacies in the current system were particularly obvious, but attention has not yet translated to significant progress. CONTINUE READING