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May 9, 2007

A major wildfire burned more than 800 acres in historic Griffith Park destroying the bird sanctuary and popular hiking areas. Law Enforcement and Fire Agencies coordinate the evacuation of hundreds of residents as well as the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory, Greek Theater, and other buildings. The coordinated evacuation of such a densely populated area would have been aided by interoperable communication.

January 26, 2005

A Metrolink commuter train crash kills 11 people. The crash involves three trains and a vehicle that caused the accident. The incident is the deadliest train crash in Metrolink’s history and the deadliest in the US in a number of years. More than 75 agencies respond to the accident. Interoperable communication would have benefited the search and rescue efforts.

July 4, 2002

A lone gunman opens fire at the El Al ticket counter in Los Angeles International Airport, killing two people and wounding four others. Disparate radio systems in use by airport, federal and local agency personnel create challenges for coordinating a fast, effective response.


The Need for Better Public Safety Communication in the Los Angeles Region

Emergencies such as these, as well as day-to-day operations, require communication and coordination on the part of law enforcement, fire and emergency medical first responders. However, because of fragmented and obsolete radio systems, many public safety agencies in the Los Angeles region operate in an environment where it is difficult, if not impossible, to communicate with one another.

This situation is particularly challenging because of the size and number of agencies serving the region. The Los Angeles region is one of the largest urban areas in the nation with more than 10 million residents living within 4,084 square miles – a population greater than that of 42 of the 50 states. 50 law enforcement and 31 fire service agencies serve the area's residents and visitors.

The Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communication System (LA-RICS) will remedy the communication challenges. Through a joint effort, of the Los Angeles region’s public safety agencies are planning a regional, interoperable radio system that would enable first responders to communicate with each other during routine and emergency operations.
 
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