Persistent shortcomings undermine the radio infrastructure that Interior Department agencies rely upon for law enforcement, wildland firefighting and other crucial work, Interior’s watchdog warns in a new report.
The problems render the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs vulnerable to communication failures at the worst possible time, according to the evaluation by the Office of Inspector General.
“Effective and reliable radio communications are important to protect the public and DOI employees and to efficiently manage public lands,” the OIG report notes. “However, weaknesses with the DOI’s radio infrastructure, which includes the towers, shelters, and fencing needed to operate and protect installed radio equipment, are longstanding.”
The report does not cite specific instances of Interior agency radios failing during a crisis, but it does underscore that the current shortcomings were previously identified in a 2007 assessment.
