1. Emergency Communications
Nevada Digital Government Summit
Thursday, December 6 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Emergency Communications
Jim O’Brien, PhD
Director,
Clark County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

2. 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.

3. Emergency Management
“Emergency” – both a noun and adjective

4. 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

5. 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

6. IN NEVADA …we need Vulnerabilities and Need
All three basic classes of communications in a large emergency:
OPERABILITY
INTEROPERABILITY
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

7. IN NEVADA …we need More INTEROPERABILITY, and the training to use it.
Vulnerabilities and Need
IN NEVADA …we need
More INTEROPERABILITY, and the training to use it.

8. 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.”

10. 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

11. IN NEVADA …we have …challenges
Vulnerabilities and Need
IN NEVADA …we have …challenges
Differing Frequency Bands in use
VHF/150MHz UHF/450MHz 700/800MHz Differing Technologies Conventional & Trunking Wide and Narrowband Analog and Digital
Differing Protocols Motorola Macom P25

12. Vulnerabilities and Need
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

13. GOVERNANCE - ORGANIZATION CHART
Governor
DEM
Homeland Security
Commission
CCOEM&HS
Nevada Communications
Steering Committee (NCSC)
InterOp Comm
Working Group
User Groups,
Disciplines
Local, State
Fed, Tribal
Agencies, NGOs Jurisdictions

14. 2002 - Communications Conference Held NCSC Established
Nevada Communication Interoperability PlanNCSC Established Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND
Communications Conference Held
NCSC Established
2003 – Legislature : Create InterOp Plan
Planning Grant, consultant
Survey, Recommendations
Plan v.1 Oct05 SAFECOM Assistance
2006 – Plan v.2 Apr06

15. NCSC starts work, many participants provide input to SCIP v.3
Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND
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 3Dec !!!

16. Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview
NCIP
Plan
v.2
SCIP
Plan
v.3
NCIP
Plan
v.1
Oct05
Apr06
3Dec07

17. NV Radios by Proportion
Washoe
Clark
* Note: Esmeralda, Lincoln not shown

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Status and Direction Four Technology Methods in Plan: Radio Caches
Gateways
Interconnects
Standards Convergence

23. Status and Direction
Four Technical Methods in Plan:
Radio Caches - “swap radios” approach - Simple, easy to understand method - Basic contingency/backup provision
Gateways
Interconnects
Standards Convergence

24. 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

25. Status and Direction 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

26. Short-Term Gateway (3-5 yrs)

27. 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.

28. 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

29. Status and Direction 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
Standards Convergence

30. The Core Systems Concept

31. 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]

32. Status and Direction 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

33. Long-Term Convergence (10-15 yrs)

34. Status and Direction
Radio Caches
Gateways
Interconnects
Standards Convergence
Technology Status - Detailed Engineering work funded w/ ’06 - Engineering Consultant – CTA – 11Sep07

35. Status and Direction 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

36. Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant
Status and Direction
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

37. Status and Direction Grant Summary for Interoperable Communications
HSGP FFY06 - $6.1M thru Jun09
HSGP FFY07 - $3.0M thru Jun10
PSIC one-shot - $12.1M thru Sep10

38. Thank you
Questions?
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
John Quincy Adams

39. Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview
Mark Blomstrom – Blomstrom Consulting, Inc.
Las Vegas Urban Area Program Manager

40. Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview
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

41. Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview
Why is this important ?
Strategy
NCIP/SCIP
PLAN
Investment
‘06
‘07
PSIC
‘08

42. Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview
Definitions:
NCIP : “Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan” – v.1, v.2
SCIP : “State Communication Interoperability Plan” – v.3
TIC Plan : “Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan”

43. 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.

44. 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

45. 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.

46. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview - CONTENTS
Governance
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Technology
Training and Exercise

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. TIMETABLE continued Effective July 1, 2009 Effective July 1, 2011
All radio equipment purchased for use in systems operating below 512 MHz shall be P25 capable.
Mobile radios and portable radios purchased for use in existing radio systems operating above 512MHz shall be P25 capable.
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, 2013
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.

53. TIMETABLE Effective October 1, 2005 (FED YR 2006)
All radio equipment (end user, consoles and backbone) purchased using grant dollars shall be P25 Common Air Interface capable.
The Core Four systems are exempt from mandatory compliance until July 1, 2009.
Radio systems that do not use or apply for grant funding are exempt until July 1, 2007.
Other exemptions granted by the Commission on a case-by-case basis.
Effective July 1, 2007
All mobile & portable (end user) radio equipment purchased shall be P25 capable.
All radio equipment (consoles & backbone) purchased shall be P25 capable.

54. 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

55. Comm Interop - Program Concept Overview

56. Grants (continued) Nevada Awarded almost $20M in May 2006
Interoperable Communications justification receives $6.1M
Funds became available in August 2006

57. Grants (continued)
Communications Interoperability project consists of six modules:
Engineering
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) & Training
Microwave Engineering
Gateways & Interconnects
Radio Cache
SNACC Simulcast

58. 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

59. 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

60. Progress To Date Project manager hired
Project Team developed: - Lead Admin Agencies
- Project Coordinators Engineering – Mark Blomstrom
SOP & Training – Dennis Cobb
Gateways – Dave McTeer Radio Cache – Brett Primas Microwave Engrg – Kathi Lowry SNACC Simlcast – Jim Wilson

61. Progress To Date (continued)
Project Plan and Scope documentation completed
Project Communication and Summary Status Report documentation completed
Section 0 RCIP Project
0.1 Project Scope and Limitations
0.1.1 Project Scope and Objective Statement
The 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 Objectives
This 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 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.

62. Progress To Date (continued)
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

63. Progress To Date (continued)
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

64. Progress To Date (continued)
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)

65. Progress To Date (continued)

66. 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

67. Resource Status – as of 12/31/06
Beginning balance $6.075M
Exp/Encumbered $0.823M
______________
Remaining balance $5.252M
Neither funding surplus nor deficiency is anticipated at this time

68. 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

69. 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

70. Ongoing Info: Progress reports given at monthly meetings of NCSC
Next Meeting: March 6, 2007
Website:

71. Nevada Commission on Homeland Security established
Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND
2003
Nevada Commission on Homeland Security established
Legislature : Create InterOp Plan
NCSC cogitating, gathering input ……

72. NCSC Applies for Planning Grant Consultant starts, work, survey
Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND
2004
NCSC Applies for Planning Grant
Consultant starts, work, survey
NCSC continues cogitating, gathering input ……

73. Consultant provides recommendations SAFECOM requested to assist
Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND
2005
Consultant provides recommendations
SAFECOM requested to assist
Plan v.1 Drafted, Approved Oct05
SAFECOM starts user focus process

74. SAFECOM completes user focus process
Nevada Communication Interoperability Plan Existing Plan Overview - BACKGROUND
2006
SAFECOM completes user focus process
Plan v.2 Drafted, with SAFECOM input
v.2 Approved Apr06