| During the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, failures in communications and information sharing occurred among public safety agencies. These communication problems led to the loss of lives, the destruction of property, and the delay of timely medical assistance. The research questions in the current study addressed the barriers that blocked dissemination of information sharing among public safety agencies. General systems theory provided the theoretical foundation for this study. A qualitative case study methodology was implemented with a purposeful sample of 12 participants to explore why communications and information sharing barriers and gaps existed in public safety agencies. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview protocol with open-ended questions. The target population included first responders from public safety agencies who responded to both the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. Inductive data analysis was employed to identify emerging themes and patterns. Results indicated that while standard operating procedures have changed since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, there is still a need for greater emphasis in regards to training, interoperability, and shared resources with the private sector. Implications of this study for positive social change include helping public safety agencies to avoid future failed communications mistakes of the past by suggesting ways to promote a cultural environment of information sharing across jurisdictional lines. |
