Every disaster in the past several decades has emphasized the failure of communications - often because various agencies couldn't talk to each other. Since September 11, 2001, a common phrase in communications is "interoperable communications" -- a sometimes confusing phrase. Dereck Orr, Program Manager, Public Safety Communications Systems, National Institute of Standards and Technology, defined the phrase this way in 2005 testimony at the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate: "the ability to share information via voice and data signals on demand, in real time, when needed, and as authorized." An article in 9-1-1 magazine defines it this way: "The simplest definition of interoperability is that it represents the ability of individuals or groups from one agency, with its own radio system, to communicate with individuals or groups from another agency (most often on another radio system) without human intervention." Interoperability continues to be a hot topic. Congressional Representative Dave Reichert, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology of the House Homeland Security Committee, began on February 15, 2006 a series of hearings on "The State of Interoperable Communications". Reichert stated in his opening remarks: Until the events of September 11, 2001, many people just simply assumed that first responders from different disciplines and jurisdictions could communicate with one another. Unfortunately, that was the not case then. And, as demonstrated by the inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina, it is not the case even now. The inability of police, fire, emergency medical services, public works, utilities, and health care workers to communicate with one another effectively may have lead to the loss of many lives in New Orleans and the Gulf States Interoperable communications solutions have focused on hardware, but, according to our Keynote Speaker Barb Graff, more important to achieving the goals of interoperable communications are training, standardizing protocols and procedures, and inter-agency, inter-team cooperation and coordination. Graff will provide an interesting perspective to interoperable communications. Graff was appointed Director of Seattle Office of Emergency Management in June of 2005. Her responsibilities include managing the multi-hazard interdepartmental emergency management program for the City of Seattle and coordinating its relation to other emergency response agencies and community groups. Before joining the City of Seattle, Graff worked for the City of Bellevue for 21 years; seven of those in the City Manager's Office and fifteen as Emergency Preparedness Manager.