When emergencies strike, clear communication can mean the difference between chaos and an effective coordinated response. For Marcus Bruning, a program manager with our Emergency Communication Networks (ECN) division, helping public safety partners across the state stay connected isn’t just a job — it’s a passion.

Bruning coordinates ECN’s Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) program, Minnesota’s statewide public safety radio system. But even the most advanced tools are only as valuable as the people using them. That’s why ECN prioritizes regular communication training exercises that bring together emergency responders from across the state. 

“Training exercises let us test the systems and processes we depend on in a real emergency,” Bruning said. “But more importantly, they give people from different agencies the chance to meet face-to-face, build trust and work together before they ever face a crisis.”

What kind of training?

In your best Bill Murray voice: communications training — specifically, in the form of a communication exercise (COMMEX). A COMMEX is a scenario-based training event focused on communications equipment and the people who operate it. 

ECN, with Bruning’s help, hosted this year’s NorthStar COMMEX at Camp Ripley and also supported Kandiyohi County and the Central Minnesota Communication Unit host a second event at Sibley State Park.

While there wasn’t the famous Stripes “razzle dazzle,” both events gave emergency communications teams from across the state a chance to participate in realistic, hands-on training with the newest emergency response technologies. Plus, there were helicopters, which is pretty cool. 

Can you hear me now? Good 

One of the biggest challenges in emergency response is interoperability — the ability of multiple agencies to communicate effectively and securely with one another, even if they use different systems or procedures. 

To address this, a key focus of these COMMEXs is helping participants understand how different types of communication equipment can work together or serve as redundant methods, so that responders on the ground can communicate with each other. 

Bruning, along with state, county and local partners, helps coordinate a framework of policies, guidance and best practices to support local responders — with the promise to never stop working for you. 

“Everyone benefits from having a statewide interoperability framework,” Bruning said. “It reduces response times and, in many cases, saves lives.​”

Help me help you

These training events do cost money. That is where ECN steps in to act as a dedicated partner, helping local agencies access federal funding to cover some costs. One example is the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), a federal grant that supports training, equipment and exercises that improve national readiness. 

The SHSP grant is designed to work toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. By using this funding to support exercises, ECN helps ensure that agencies of all sizes can build preparedness in their communities.

Better together

Beyond the technology and training, these exercises help build lasting relationships. 

The Sibley County Park COMMEX drew people from fire departments, sheriff's offices, DNR park personnel, high school students, community emergency response team volunteers and numerous state agencies. These diverse skill sets enriched the training and demonstrated that a whole-community approach is necessary for emergency response — and that, well, it's always better when we're together.

“Every time we train together, we get better as a whole,” Bruning said. “It is about making sure the next time a disaster occurs, we are prepared and ready to respond as effectively as possible as a whole community.”

Everything that happens now is happening now

Looking ahead, ECN believes that continuing to conduct state-assisted communication exercises will pay dividends for Minnesota’s readiness. 

The combination of interoperability, cost sharing and strengthened partnerships helps build safer, more resilient communities — not just for the emergencies we face, but for whatever challenges come next.

For more information on the ECN interoperability program, please visit our website at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/networks/interoperability.