In an effort to assess the capacity for interoperable communications among public safety agencies nationwide, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFECOM Program has invited more than 22,000 randomly selected law enforcement, fire, and emergency response organizations to participate in the National Interoperability Baseline Survey.

Preliminary findings based on the responses received will be released in August 2006 with a final report anticipated for October 2006. The survey is both anonymous and random. Every surveyed agency’s response will contribute to the creation of a national snapshot of interoperability.

A few weeks ago, DHS contacted potential respondents to ask for their participation. If you are one of those who was randomly selected to participate, please complete the survey online as soon as possible.

If you are one of the randomly selected respondents, you should have received a letter from DHS Secretary Chertoff as well as a postcard with the survey URL and your username and password. You will also receive a written reminder notice about the survey via U.S. mail including your username and password. If you misplaced your username and password, please contact baseline@dhs.gov for assistance.

You may address any questions concerning the survey to baseline@dhs.gov.