PSCR Usability Project_Voices of First Responders

The Usability Team of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) program works to identify issues faced by first responders surrounding the use of their existing and emerging public safety communication technology. The team conducted an exploratory, sequential, mixed-methods study to gather insights into first responders' needs for and problems experienced with communication technology. The multi-phase study included in-depth interviews with 193 first responders in Phase 1, followed by a nationwide survey of 7,182 first responders in Phase 2, across four public safety disciplines, Communication Center & 9-1-1 Services (COMMS), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Service (FF), and Law Enforcement (LE).