NG9-1-1 and Radio Interoperability Kelli Merriweather Director of Programs Commission on State Emergency Communications Todd M. Early Deputy Assistant Director - LESD Public Safety Communications Bureau Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Homeland Security Conference April 27, 2011

2 National Strategy for Homeland Security National Preparedness Priorities Strengthen Interoperable Communications National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) Standards-Based Shared Communications where Emergency responders can communicate: As needed, on demand, and as authorized; At all levels of government; and Across all disciplines. Texas Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Regional Interoperable Communications Plan (RICP) Jurisdiction (City/County/ Emergency Services District) Interoperable Communications Plans Statewide “System of 24 Regional P25 Voice Communications Systems by 2015” Independently operating systems— comprised of people, technology, and organizations—are connected, enabling emergency responders to effectively support day- to-day operations, planned events, and major incidents.

4 Least Interoperable on Left – Most Interoperable on Right 12/2008 Standards-Based Shared Systems BEST

Texas Interoperability Maturity Model

Status of Regional Interoperability Average Statewide Interoperability: Level 3.2

Communications Interoperability Status by County

Multiple backhaul paths for connectivity between regions: Microwave, Leased T-1’s Fiber and NG Broadband VHF P25 Conventional 700/800 MHz P25 Conventional Requires Master Gateway for Interoperability VHF P25 Trunked 700/800 MHz P25 Trunked Region 1 of 24 Twenty Three Additional Regions ILLUSTRATION OF TEXAS STATEWIDE COMMUNICATIONS INTEROPERABILITY GOAL All Public Safety Agencies within the COG move to P25 standard by end of 2015

9 SCIP Charter calls for a Statewide System-of-Systems A system of systems exists when a group of independently operating systems—comprised of people, technology, and organizations—are connected, enabling emergency responders to effectively support day-to-day operations, planned events, or major incidents.

Vision: Texas Statewide System-of Regional-Interoperable-Systems Mexico New Mexico Oklahoma Gulf of Mexico Louisiana

LEAST DESIRABLE (Nationwide Public Safety LTE “Core” Build-out) 11

MOST DESIRABLE (Nationwide Public Safety LTE “Core” Build-out) 12

14 Next Generation (NG9-1-1) & Radio Over IP (RoIP)  NG9-1-1 Emergency Services Internet Protocol network (ESInet).  Demonstrate reusable components of the Texas NG9-1-1 System for other agencies  Cost efficiencies  A common, multi- purpose infrastructure.  RoIP – Radio transmissions transmitted via the internet. Why?  The need to span large geographic areas;  The desire to provide more reliable, or at least more repairable links in radio systems;  To support many stationary users.

15 DPS & RoIP Today, radio systems can be linked through leased lines or over the public telephone network to extend their reach. These lines can be expensive and are often in addition to the communication services run for data purposes. Extend Command and Control –Real-Time Transport Protocol –Multi-cast –Interoperability with dissimilar systems, e.g. IP phone, computer, etc. –Transmit on radio channel from desk without a radio.

9-1-1 & Radio Communications Service a telecommunications service that provides the user of the public telephone system the ability to reach a public safety answering point by dialing the digits Purpose provide automatic location and critical information relating to the nature of the caller’s emergency so that appropriate responders may be dispatched via Radio communications.

Texas’ Systems can receive: Phone Number & Address - Wireline calls Phone Number & X/Y Coordinates -Wireless calls –Displayed on map Phone Number & Address of - VoIP calls List of Emergency Responders based on location Current Level of Service

Today’s Systems cannot receive: Text messages Photos Videos Shared information to/from Emergency Responders Current Level of Service

Next Generation “NG9-1-1” Future of Service

NG9-1-1 Change Opportunity Challenge

Next evolutionary step in emergency communications System comprised of managed IP-based networks and elements that augment present-day features and add new capabilities. Will eventually replace the present 9-1-1system Will provide access to emergency services from all sources, including provide multimedia data Will be a multi-year transition Change

 Deaf/Hearing/Speech Impaired Text for Help  Vehicle Accident Victim Tailored assistance on scene quickly  Emergency Responder More pre-arrival information Opportunity

 Industry Standards Development Systems Development & Deployment  Entities Keeping up with Changing Technology Sustaining a Multi-year Effort  Government  Funding  Regulation Challenge

Why NG9-1-1? Today’s 9-1-1Next Generation year old legacy technology Difficult to adapt to change Proprietary Future oriented Plug and play Based on open standards Interoperable Analog Fixed - dedicated Digital Dynamic - interoperable Primarily voice Limited data capability Siloed Advanced data capability Text, images, crash notification Data sharing Local access Limited transfer and backup Long distance access Expanded transfer and backup Dynamic Contingency Routing

Texas NG9-1-1 System of Systems Interconnected and Interoperable Emergency Services IP-based Networks (ESInet) Regional & State-Level Texas NG9-1-1 will be realized with the implementation of the State-Level ESInet

Current Activities CSEC NG9-1-1 Master Plan ENHANCE Federal Grant Project State-Level ESInet Advisory Council Fostering Regional ESInet Development RFP for ESInet (Grant Project) Preparing for the Future: State Level

Texas NG9-1-1 Grant Project Status Update  A First Office Application (FOA)  State Level ESInet Implementation  CSEC Master Plan Migration Path  Connect 120 PSAPs to State-Level ESInet  Modified to include Radio Interoperability

Texas NG9-1-1 Grant Project Participating Entities Bexar Metro Brazos Valley COG Capital Area COG Concho Valley COG DENCO El Paso City of Lancaster Lower Rio Grande Development Council

Texas NG9-1-1 Grant Project Participating Entities …..continued: North Central Texas COG City of Rowlette Tarrant County Texas Gulf Coast Consortium (Greater Harris County 9-1-1) City of University Park City of Sherman/Texoma COG

Texas NG9-1-1 Grant Project  RFP Issued  Responses Received  Evaluation In Progress  Contract Award NLTAugust 2011  Project Completion NLT September 2012

Texas NG9-1-1 Grant Project Modified to include Radio Interoperability to: Understand nature & scope of shared network Demonstrate reusable network components Underscore cost efficiencies gained by utilizing common, multi- purpose infrastructure

Texas NG9-1-1 RoIP Grant Project CSEC & DPS intend to: Leverage state & regional ESInet backbone to achieve long-haul radio communications interoperability with RoIP Use secure Virtual Private Network (VPNs) Transport traffic between IP interfaces of state, regional and local radio communications systems Procure hardware & software to deliver traffic between disparate locations

Activities to Consider Participate in Planning of Regional Networks Enhance GIS Data Communicate with COGs & Districts Communicate with State Advisory Council Monitor CSEC Web Site for Updates Preparing for the Future: Local & Regional Level

Alamo Area Brazos Valley Capital Area - interoperable radio now Central Texas East Texas - pursuing IP network Golden Crescent Heart of Texas Lower Rio North Central South East Texas Preparing for the Future: COGs Planning Regional Networks

CSEC Web Site: Kelli Merriweather CSEC & NG9-1-1 Further Information