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. . . Friday, July 12 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Technical Developments and Organizational Changes in Local and State Telecommunications, Dispatch and Emergency Information Management A Twenty Year Retrospective and Tentative Look at the Future Bascombe J. Wilson FEMA Region vm In 1976, emergency dispatch in most communities was generally accomplished by separate police, fire and public works departments. In 1996, most communities have Central Answering and Dispatching Points, where 999 calls are routed so that coordinated responses can be initiated. Previously, dedicated radio channels were used for each department and equipment was not interchangeable among departments or between jurisdictions. With expensive "trunking" technology, that has now changed. The new systems, however, have their own type of troubles; some communities using trunked systems have completely lost all radio contact with their police, fire, and rescue departments for many hours during emergencies. Presentation of Survey and Analysis Generally: Outline the communications and information management systems during the Big Thompson disaster and discuss key points of success/failure and lessons learned. Review computer systems advances in prediction, response management and EOC operations. Outline the progress made in the telecommunications and information management field in the intelVening 20 years. Specifically: Address current system vulnerabilities and the technological developments expected in the coming decade. Relate these new systems and organizational structures to future flash flood disasters and consider implications for organizational design, contingency planning, and backup resources. Discuss two dimensions of the emerging problem: EOC communication overload and a degradation in Public Warning capabilities resulting from automated radio broadcasting and Direct Broadcast TV. 8