Challenges to Modernizing Public Safety Communications

Provided to IEEE CQR Conference Jeff Rosenblatt May 2007

0

Public Safety Faces Unique Challenges to Meeting Their Communications Needs



50,000+ Different Entities-

Huge fragmented community



Every Entity Typically Has their Own Network-

A collection of fiefdoms



Stringent Operability Requirements for Tactical Needs-

Risk averse



Unique Mission Needs-

Police, Fire, EMS, Feds, we have different roles



Interoperability-

Who’s job is this anyway?



Security and Vulnerability Needs-

It has to work for me but can’t be accessed by you



Limited specialized Resources-

IT and Telecom resources often come from staff



Bridging the Technology Evolutionary Gap-

Legacy systems heavily embedded, vendor dominated development



Limited and complex funding processes-

Fees, Bonds, Legislation, Grants

1

To Establish

CREDIBILITY

with the Public Safety Community a Detailed Understanding of the Issues Needs to be Developed Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security

  Enlist of local, state, and federal public safety personnel to receive first-hand the participation insights on real-world challenges Educate the diverse community on the issues that are being addressed and bring the leaders together

Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security

  The Public Safety Community is risk averse and has requires a long term view to gain approval for large implementations or upgrades Federal Grants are a key component of the funding for Public Safety communications improvements

Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security

   Many of the Public Safety communications systems require access to spectrum requiring long lead time to establish eligibility and rules access techniques, and radio frequency band restructuring) Constant attention is required to resolve ongoing capacity issues, interference, and sharing of spectrum

Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security

  Standards are key ingredient in the development of cost effective, interoperable communications solutions and are often a requirement for grant funding Most communications standards are voluntarily developed, taking years to reach consensus

Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security

  Security issues are often the reason that Public Safety and particularly the Federal Government limits the use of commercial systems Security will become increasingly important as Public Safety moves toward interoperable IP based networks 2

Large Scale Improvements in Public Safety Communications Requires an Array of Change to

TRANSFORM

the Nation

Coordination of Systems of Systems Grants and Implementation Assistance Education and Awareness Coordination of People and Processes Technology Demonstration Policy Formation and Advocacy Technical Research

Program Efforts Over Time

3

Public Safety Communications Needs are Being Pushed Through National Initiatives

PSWAC (1996)

The Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC) recommended that State and local public safety agencies be allocated spectrum specifically for nationwide interoperability

9/11 Commission (2004)

The 9/11 Commission recommended developing a national approach to interoperability and evaluating additional spectrum needs for Federal, State, and local first responders

DTV Bill (2006)

Hard deadline defined on 700 MHz spectrum. Creation of the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) and grant funding established for 911 upgrades and interoperable communications

Reallocation of Spectrum More Organized System Design and Planning Funding to Advance Modernization

4

The SAFECOM Program’s Interoperability Continuum Illustrates Complexity and Describes Progress Across Five Areas

Frequency of Use

Planned Events Localized Emergency Incidents Regional Incident Management Daily Use Throughout Region

Governance Standard Operating Procedures Technology

Individual Agencies Working Independently Individual Agency SOPs Informal Coordination Between Agencies Key Multi discipline Staff Collaboration on a Regular Basis Joint SOPs For Planned Events Joint SOPs For Emergencies Regional Set of Communication s SOPs Swap Radios Shared Channels Gateway Proprietary Shared Systems Regional Committee Working Under SIEC Umbrella National Incident Management System Integrated SOPs Standards based Shared Systems

Training & Exercises

Minimal Level General Orientation on Equipment Single Agency Tabletop Exercises Multi-agency Tabletop Exercises for Key Field and Support Staff for Key Field and Support Staff Multi-agency Full Functional Exercise Involving All Staff

Interoperability Continuum

Regular Comprehensiv e Regional Training and Exercises Optimal Level

5

Migration to a New Public Safety Communications Paradigm Crosses the Boundaries of Many Organizations both Public and Private

6

The World is Changing, Public Safety Must Change as Well



Land Mobile Radio has Diverse Solutions

– Conventional, Trunked, AES encryption, P25 Phase 1 and Phase 2 

Spectrum Options Create Opportunities but Complicate Interoperability

– VHF Low band, VHF High Band, UHF, 800 MHz, 700 MHz, 4.9 GHz 

Commercial Services Meeting the Needs?

– Emerging Wireless Data Access becoming common place – Voice Services including PTT is replacing non-critical communications 

Migration to IP has Begun

– – – VoIP Service Providers need to offer 911 service Tactical P25 Radios IP based Broadband Local Access Slowly being deployed- 802.xx, 4.9 GHz 

Public Private Partnerships

– – Some Public Safety Entities are “Outsourcing” their Networks to 3 rd Parties The FCC is Looking to Possibly Establish Authorizing Licenses to a Public Private Partnership 7

Major Federal Initiatives to Move Public Safety Communications Forward



Office of Emergency Communications (FEMA

) – Recently established office focusing on National Emergency Communications and Interoperability Issues 

Office of Interoperability and Communications (S&T)

– Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation of new Interoperability Technologies 

Office of Grants and Training (FEMA)

– Centralized Grant Authority for Public Safety Communications – – Recently moved from Preparedness to FEMA Urban Area Security Initiative Grants (UASI)-

provides broad support to state and local entities for improved readiness including communications

– Public Safety Interoperable Communication (PSIC)-

A new program (with NTIA) that provides $1 billion in funding for modernizing Public Safety Communications and improving interoperability

8

Major Federal Initiatives to Move Public Safety Communications Forward

(cont.)



National Telecommunications and Information Administration (Commerce)

– JPO with DOT on E911 grants – Lead Agency for the PSIC grant program 

Intelligent Transportation Systems/National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (DOT)

– – NG 9-1-1 Initiative JPO with NTIA on E911 grants 

National Institute of Justice (DOJ)

– Grant program for Research and Development of Law Enforcement Communications 9