emergency communications

Emergency Communications

Jim O’Brien, PhDDirector,Clark County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Nevada Digital Government Summit

Thursday, December 6 3:20 - 4:20 PM

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Emergency Communications

Natural disasters in recent months have shown more than ever the critical role of technology in business continuity and in the community as a whole. Communications, interoperability, quick response, information availability and public alerts are all vital concerns.

This session will provide an overview of all state and local government emergency communications systems available in the state of Nevada.

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Emergency Management

“Emergency” – both a noun and adjective

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OVERVIEW …what we’ll cover

Our Vulnerabilities and Need for Communications …the situations and people who use it

The Types and Applications of Communication Systems …the old, the new, and the glue

Present Status and Direction …the problems and what we’re doing

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IN NEVADA …we have

Vulnerabilities and Need

EVERYDAY PS OPERATIONS – 95% of Communications USE

OCASIONAL Natural Disasters

• Flash Floods

• Earthquakes

• Wildfires

POTENTIAL Man-caused Incidents

• HazMat Incidents

• Large Scale Accidents, e.g. Pepcon Explosion, Galaxy Crash

• Terrorist Vulnerability

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IN NEVADA …we need


All three basic classes of communications in a large emergency:

• OPERABILITY

• INTEROPERABILITY

• PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

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IN NEVADA …we need


More INTEROPERABILITY, and the training to use it.

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What is Interoperability?

“Interoperability is the ability of appropriate officials and personnel to effectively communicate by radio across jurisdictions and with each other, when authorized, as needed and in real time.”

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Interoperability Continuum - SAFECOM

Designed to help the public safety community and local, tribal, state and federal policy makers address critical elements for success as they plan and implement interoperability solutions.

Dimensions include: - Governance- Standard operating procedures (SOP)- Technology - Training and exercise- Usage, or how often is it employed

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IN NEVADA …we have…challenges


Differing Frequency Bands in useVHF/150MHz UHF/450MHz 700/800MHz

Differing Technologies Conventional & Trunking Wide and Narrowband

Analog and Digital

Differing ProtocolsMotorola Macom P25

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NCSC 5 years old Chartered by Executive Order Charged to produce InterOp Plan Representative body – 21 members Represent:

- Multi Disciplines- Multi Jurisdictions- Multi Levels of Government & NGOs

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GOVERNANCE - ORGANIZATION CHART

Governor

Homeland Security Commission

Nevada Communications Steering Committee

(NCSC)

DEM

CCOEM&HS

InterOp CommWorking Group

User Groups,Disciplines

Local, StateFed, Tribal

Agencies, NGOsJurisdictions

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Nevada Communication Interoperability PlanNCSC Established

Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND

2002 - Communications Conference HeldNCSC Established

2003 – Legislature : Create InterOp Plan

2004 - Planning Grant, consultantSurvey, Recommendations

2005 - Plan v.1 Oct05SAFECOM Assistance

2006 – Plan v.2 Apr06

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Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan


2007 DHS announces all states must create a State

Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) by 3dec07

NCSC starts work, many participants provide input to SCIP v.3

SCIP Plan v.3 approved and submitted

3Dec07 !!!

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Existing Plan Overview

NCIPPlanv.2

SCIPPlanv.3

NCIPPlanv.1

Apr06 3Dec07Oct05

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NV Radios by Proportion

Carson Churchill Clark Douglas

Elko Eureka Humboldt Lander

Lyon Mineral Nye PershingStatewide Washoe White Pine

Washoe

Clark

* Note: Esmeralda, Lincoln not shown

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Status and Direction

Standard Operating Procedures

Needed to OPERATE effectively

Not in place throughout Nevada

’06 grant funds - Initial Development

Must Be Accepted, Adopted, Used

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SOP & Training Module – ’06 HSGP

To develop SOPs for use statewide by all public safety communications users

Develop common nomenclature, terms & definitions

Develop training materials & syllabus

Develop policies for jurisdictional adoption, and present

Lead agency: LV Metro Police Dept Budget : $556,400

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Engineering Module – ’06 HSGP

To complete technical data collection Perform detailed engineering for

interconnects & gateways Produce comprehensive

interoperable frequency plan statewide

Produce individual system-oriented integration plans

Lead agency: Dept of Information Technology

Budget: $556,400

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Four Technology Methods in Plan:

Radio Caches

Gateways

Interconnects

Standards Convergence

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Four Technical Methods in Plan:

Radio Caches- “swap radios” approach- Simple, easy to understand method- Basic contingency/backup provision

Gateways

Interconnects


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Radio Cache Module – ’06 HSGP

Procure, maintain and hold available for use statewide, a cache of portable radios

Lead Agency: LV Metro Police Dept. Budget: $500,000

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Four Technical Methods in Plan: Radio Caches

Gateways- “Cross-band” connected repeater- Creates one mutual aid channel- Fixed:Distributed on mtn top sites- Mobile: setup at incident site

Interconnects Standards Convergence

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Short-Term Gateway (3-5 yrs)

150MHz

700/800*MHz

Gateways

Othersystems to

bedetermined

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Short-Term Gateways

Short-term proposal is to link the two main components of the Nevada radio system:

700/800 MHz (Core Four) & 150 MHZ (rural)

Some gateways currently exist, but need to be expanded statewide.

Preliminary estimate for short-term: $2.4M

Cost does not include integration of other frequency bands.

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Gateways & Interconnects Module – ’06 HSGP

To procure, install and implement interconnections among major radio systems and geographically distributed gateways among radio bands

Lead Agency: Nevada Department of Administration

Budget: $2,400,000

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Four Technical Methods in Plan: Radio Caches Gateways

Interconnects- Similar to “shared channels”-Digital links btwn trunking systems- Multi “channels” provided btwn sys- All available through one radio


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VHFSystem

LegacySystem

VHFSystem

Core Four Platforms

High-Level Interconnects

Gateways to ConventionalSystems

MetroLVMPD(Future)

WashoeWCRCS

ClarkSNACC

StateNSRS

The Core Systems Concept

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Core Systems – Short & Long-Term

By connecting the major trunked systems a single “virtual” system is created. Nevada Shared Radio System (NSRS) Southern NV Area Communication Council

(SNACC) Washoe County Regional Communication

System (WCRCS) Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMPD) [ability to connect addition core systems]

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Four Technical Methods in Plan: Radio Caches Gateways Interconnects

Standards Convergence – P25 and IP- Migration to one open standard - Different mfr radios work together- Long term gradual change-out and upgrade at normal replacement times

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Existing

Analog

Digital

Proprietary

Nothing

Future

DigitalOpen

StandardsTechnology

Long-Term Convergence (10-15 yrs)

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Radio Caches

Gateways

Interconnects


Technology Status

- Detailed Engineering work funded w/ ’06

- Engineering Consultant – CTA – 11Sep07

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TRAINING & EXERCISE

Training and Exercises ID’d in SCIP

Training Plan, Materials Development funded w/ ’06 HSGP grant

Delivery of Statewide Training and Exercise program part of PSIC grant

PSIC T&E request : $1.1M over 3yrs

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Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant


• ‘One-Shot’, one-time Grant for developing Interoperable Communications

• Nevada allocated $12.1M (total nationwide $964M)

• Three year performance period

• Application just submitted 3Dec07 for DHS/NTIA Approval

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Grant Summary for Interoperable Communications

HSGP FFY06 - $6.1M thru Jun09

HSGP FFY07 - $3.0M thru Jun10

PSIC one-shot - $12.1M thru Sep10

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Thank you

Questions?

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

John Quincy Adams



Mark Blomstrom – Blomstrom Consulting, Inc.Las Vegas Urban Area Program Manager

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This Overview: Brief Background and Process Existing Plan Contents – “NCIP” v.2 Q&A

Later: New Draft Plan – “SCIP” v.3 Opportunity for Input to v.3

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Why is this important ?

Strategy

NCIP/SCIP

PLAN

Investment‘06

‘07

‘08

PSIC

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Definitions:

NCIP : “Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan” – v.1, v.2

SCIP : “State Communication Interoperability Plan” – v.3

TIC Plan : “Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan”

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The Beginning 2 years in the making by the Nevada

Communications Steering Committee (NCSC). NCSC stakeholders representing northern &

southern NV, rural & urban, & state, county and local governments.

Prompted by AB441 legislation. Developed with assistance from the SAFECOM

office of the Department of Homeland Security.

A living document revised as conditions change.

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Who are Public Safety Agencies?

Fire Services Law Enforcement Emergency Management Government Administrative Services Emergency Medical Services Public Health Health Care HazMat Private Industry Volunteer Organizations Public Safety Communication Public Works

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Statement of Principles

NCSC encourages & maintains a governance structure emphasizing transparency, accountability and collaboration.

NCSC encourages comprehensive focus on key success factors – governance, SOPs, technology, training and exercises.

NCSC reviews research on best practices/ lessons learned.

NCSC not to be controlled by the State – must remain representative of entire NV public safety community.

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Existing Plan Overview - CONTENTS

Governance

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Technology

Training and Exercise

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Tech Standard for P25 To move towards long-term convergence, a

technical protocol/standard must be adopted.

P25 is an open system, developed nationally for over 15 years.

P25 establishes a common protocol, allowing radios from different vendors to effectively communicate.

P25 does not address radios operating in different frequency bands or issues such as standard operating procedures.

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P25 Recommendations

Long–range plan includes long-term convergence of all radios within the state to digital, open standards technology, implementing current version of P25.

A phase-in timetable will be used.

Exemptions considered upon written notice showing good cause and approved by NV Homeland Security Commission.

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Assumptions

“Capable” is defined as the ability to be quickly upgraded via the loading of a software program to actual P25 Common Air Interface operation.

“Capable” in this context does not mean the equipment must actually operating in P25 mode when purchased, rather that it be “capable” of simple upgrade to such operational mode at a future time.

In every case where purchase of P25 capability is mandated, the equipment is for capability to accommodate the most recently approved version of the P25 standard.

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Long-Term Convergence

The plan emphasizes convergence over time.

Upgrading when equipment otherwise needs replacement on maintenance schedules, not a wholesale change out.

Preserving the public’s existing investments in communications technology.

Require new purchases comply with Plan.

Allow existing equipment serve out its useful life.

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TIMETABLE continued

Effective July 1, 2009o All radio equipment purchased for use in systems operating below 512 MHz

shall be P25 capable.o Mobile radios and portable radios purchased for use in existing radio systems

operating above 512MHz shall be P25 capable.o Core Four systems and any system directly connected shall be P25 capable.

Effective July 1, 2011 All radio systems and equipment in the State, regardless of operating

frequency or the system it is purchased for, shall be P25 capable.

Effective July 1, 2013o All radio systems and equipment in the state shall be operating in P25 mode for

normal, operational voice communications. Multi-mode operating, for interfacing with out-state systems, may be retained and used as needed.

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TIMETABLE

Effective October 1, 2005 (FED YR 2006)o All radio equipment (end user, consoles and backbone) purchased

using grant dollars shall be P25 Common Air Interface capable.o The Core Four systems are exempt from mandatory compliance

until July 1, 2009.o Radio systems that do not use or apply for grant funding are

exempt until July 1, 2007.o Other exemptions granted by the Commission on a case-by-case

basis.

Effective July 1, 2007o All mobile & portable (end user) radio equipment purchased shall

be P25 capable.o All radio equipment (consoles & backbone) purchased shall be P25

capable.

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Grant Funding Initiatives Nevada Working Group established for

DHS Homeland Security Enhancement Plan and Grant Funding request

Nevada Enhancement Plan is created, identifying 11 Initiatives

Each Initiative results in an Investment Justification (grant app) for FFY06

Interoperability Communications ranked as #1 priority among the 11 Investment Justifications

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Comm Interop - Program Concept Overview

VISION Secure Nevada Homeland NHSC GOAL Program-Oriented “Initiative Plan” NCSC Project

Objective FFY06 Project

“Investment Justification” Project Team/

Project Manager Module

Objectives Project Modules

Project Coordinators

Tasks Contractors and/or Staff

Resources Contractors or Staff

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Grants (continued)

Nevada Awarded almost $20M in May 2006

Interoperable Communications justification receives $6.1M

Funds became available in August 2006

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Grants (continued)

Communications Interoperability project consists of six modules:EngineeringStandard Operating Procedures

(SOP) & TrainingMicrowave EngineeringGateways & InterconnectsRadio CacheSNACC Simulcast

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Microwave Engineering Module

Complete detailed technical plans & engineering for expansion of multiple-user microwave systems within Clark County

Lead Agency: Clark County Dept of Information Technology

Budget: $180,200

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SNACC Simulcast

Engineer and implement a simulcast radio system for use with 16 or more designated interoperable talk groups (channels) within the Clark County Urban area

Lead Agency: SNACC Grant budget: $1,700,000 Grant funding to be matched by

SNACC funds

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Progress To Date Project manager hired Project Team developed:

- Lead Admin Agencies- Project Coordinators

Engineering – Mark Blomstrom

SOP & Training – Dennis CobbGateways – Dave McTeerRadio Cache – Brett PrimasMicrowave Engrg – Kathi LowrySNACC Simlcast – Jim Wilson

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Progress To Date (continued)

Project Plan and Scope documentation completed

Project Communication and Summary Status Report documentation completed

Section 0 RCIP Project0.1 Project Scope and Limitations0.1.1 Project Scope and Objective StatementThe overall objective of this project is to significantly advance the state of communications interoperability throughout Nevada to realize a commonly-understood and consistently-available level of basic interoperability, with additional capability available to be applied where and when needed.

“The purpose of this [grant-funded project] is a well coordinated and pre-planned response to this problem [of communications interoperability]. In accordance with our established Plan, and using our developed Governance, we expect to complete detailed engineering and develop Standard Operating Procedures for interoperability. With the engineering, we expect to deploy emergency radio cache, build gateways between bands, and interconnect four major systems to create a “system of systems”. We expect to put policies in place throughout Nevada adopting the SOPs and use of this equipment to create a minimum common level of interoperability. Finally, we expect to create training materials for long term training on the above. Implementing these module steps using [grant] funds will result in the single largest and most effective advancement of interoperable communications possible throughout Nevada.”Extract from grant application for Nevada: “FFY06 DHS Investment Justification: Interoperable Communications”; part I.A.

Project ObjectivesThis describes the high-level project objectives.Obj. IDMajor Project Objectives1.0Complete the Engineering Module. (See section 1 in this document.)2.0Complete the SOP and Training Material Development Module. (See section 2 in this document.)3.0Complete the Gateways and Platform Interconnects Module (See section 3 in this document.)4.0Complete the Radio Cache Module. (See section 4 in this document.)5.0Complete the Microwave Engineering Module. (See section 5 in this document.)6.0Complete the SNACC Simulcast Module. (See section 6 in this document)

Major Requirements Addressed Specific user requirements, functional requirements, needs and weaknesses previously identified are tied to the major objectives. These are keyed to sections of this document as numbered in the Table of Contents, and to the major objectives as defined in Section 0.1.2. References are to documents identified in C.3 References and Associated Documents. Req. IDRequirement, Need or Weakness Addressed1.1Addresses NCIP Action Items: T1, T3, T4, and T6.

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Requirements definition for Engineering Module completed

RFP process to procure engineering services for Engineering module proceeding

SNACC Simulcast module approved as project and contract amendment by SNACC. Contract amendment executed.

Microwave Engineering module underway with Clark County

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Request made and commitment received from federal Dept of Justice –

Wireless Management Office“Integrated Wireless Network”

for technical review of pending engineering work involving federal communication interfaces

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Request made of the federal Dept of Homeland Security – Interoperable Communications

Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP)

….for technical assistance with - authority to use CASM system- development of state TIC plan- engineering review of work

Request is still pending 12/06 (favorable)

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Communication Assets Survey and Mapping (CASM) Tool

What is CASM? A web-based tool that assists public safety

agencies to collect and visualize data on voice Land Mobile Radio (LMR) equipment and interoperability methods in a State or Urban Area.

Map-based display interface that enables users to visualize their data and drill-down into more detail through hyper-linked text windows.

Identifies interoperability gaps with its inter-agency interoperability analysis.

Produces the Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP) Section 3 and Appendices B-E.

Usage (as of November 2006)

Currently 57 Urban Areas and States setup 45 UAs with data entered 12 with name, map, and geo-location

info Averaging 700 logins and 9,000 entries

per month More than 720 CASM user accounts

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Resource Status – as of 12/31/06

Beginning balance $6.075M

Exp/Encumbered $0.823M

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Remaining balance $5.252M

Neither funding surplus nor deficiency is anticipated at this time

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Proposed Modifications to Investments

No modification to FFY06 Investment is proposed at this time

Request for FFY07 will focus on Training Exercise and Microwave

Request for FFY08 will focus on Equipment

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Near Term and Delaying Factors

Engineering module will not be done within FFY07 grant app timeframe

Development of TIC plan may provide additional ‘course correction’

Senator Mark Amodei BDR

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Ongoing Info:

Progress reports given at monthly meetings of NCSC

Next Meeting: March 6, 2007

Website: www.NCSC.nv.gov

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2003

Nevada Commission on Homeland Security established

Legislature : Create InterOp Plan

NCSC cogitating, gathering input ……

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2004

NCSC Applies for Planning Grant

Consultant starts, work, survey

NCSC continues cogitating, gathering input ……

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2005

Consultant provides recommendations

SAFECOM requested to assist

Plan v.1 Drafted, Approved Oct05

SAFECOM starts user focus process

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2006

SAFECOM completes user focus process

Plan v.2 Drafted, with SAFECOM input

v.2 Approved Apr06

emergency communications

Documents

interoperability solutions

state of nevada

recommendations2005

coverour vulnerabilities

doingin nevada

large emergency

adjective overview

emergency managementemergency