Rural First Responders and Communication Technology: A Mixed Methods Approach to Assessing Their Challenges and Needs

Although new technology may benefit rural first responders to help them serve their communities, to date little is known about what communication technology problems rural first responders most need addressed and what future technology they desire. This chapter explores communication technology problems and needs of rural first responders in the USA based on data from semi-structured interviews with 63 rural first responders and survey responses from 2698 rural first responders. Data from both the interviews and the survey come from rural first responders representing four disciplines: Communications Center & 9-1-1 Services, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, and Law Enforcement. Analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data is used to identify the problems rural first responders experience with communication technology and the technology needs they identify as most important moving forward. Their greatest problems were with reliable coverage/connectivity, interoperability, information technology (IT) implementation and cost of technology, and physical ergonomics. Rural first responders’ greatest need was to address the problems they experience with current communication technology, but they were interested in new technology that leverages real-time access to information and location tracking. Implications for researchers and developers of public safety communication technology are discussed.