Oregon's public safety networks are getting a major upgrade thanks to insights from the 2025 RADIO Conference—Resilience, Advancement, and Development in Interoperability for Oregon. Organized by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the State Interoperability Executive Council, the convention hosted a swath of public safety pros who shared tech and strategy to bolster emergency response communications.
With a spotlight on "Connections for Critical Communications," the conference hammered home the importance of a network that can withstand not just Oregon's rugged landscapes but also the complexities of modern emergencies. A series of technical sessions and hands-on workshops provided attendees with strategies for everything from handling wildfire evacuations to shoring up cybersecurity defenses, with William Chapman, Statewide Interoperability and Watch Center Manager, highlighting the event's focus on community. "This conference isn't just about the radio systems or technology—it's about the people behind the tools who work every day to keep Oregonians safe," Chapman said in a statement from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.
Participation was cost-free, thanks to sponsorships from industry leaders like Verizon Frontline and FirstNet. Their support underlined a communal effort to advance the state's emergency readiness. Key topics discussed included advancements in Next Generation 911 tech in Oregon, AI's emerging role in emergency management, and the implementation of critical mental wellness programs like Dispatch K9s.
