1 Interoperability in Washington ~ October 6, 2009 ~ Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council Annual Meeting Laura Kingman, WSP/State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC)

2 SIEC The problem: Our first responders cannot always talk to each other in crisis situations. Interoperability ensures emergency responders can talk and share data: - on demand - as needed - as authorized

3 SIEC Interoperability is essential for large disasters and for incidents that can happen in any community on any day Interoperability is essential: –across all levels of government –across all agency boundaries

4 SIEC An Example: Fertilizer caught fire in a warehouse in a rural community. This incident took place in Grandview, Washington (Yakima County) January 26-28, 2005

5 Example, continued The incident started with black smoke in the air. Emergency responders had to quickly determine whether the smoke was toxic and if evacuation of the rural town was necessary.

6 6 Thanks to KAPP TV Yakima

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8 Example, continued By the time the incident ended 3 days later… over 200 personnel from 38 agencies were involved. Imagine the scope of a similar hazmat incident in an urban area.

9 Example, continued Impacts/Issues: 4th largest city in Yakima County (population 8,415) 19 churches 6 public schools 2 private schools I-82 was closed for 17 miles

10 SIEC The solution: The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) was an outcome of a legislative mandate in 2003 to promote interoperability statewide. Membership represents: - The Military Department - The Washington State Patrol - The Washington State Department of Transportation - The Department of Information Services - The Department of Natural Resources - City and County governments - State and Local Fire Chiefs - Police Chiefs - Sheriffs - State and Local Emergency Management Directors - Tribal governments

11 SIEC The SIEC has taken a comprehensive and methodical approach –Ground up (starts at local/regional level) –High-tech and low-tech solutions –In line with national standards and mandates (NIMS, NECP, SAFECOM, OEC) –System of systems approach –Secured over $30 million in federal funding

12 SIEC Contributions to Washington State Interoperable Communications 2006 and prior Technical Implementation Plan (TIP) initiated and implemented OSCCR base station project completion (14 base stations) Phase I: $798,206 fed. $2.2 million IECGP grants projects review, selection and oversight NGA grants $50K to address governance issues, solicit feedback, and develop & promote statewide IC solutions OPSCAN concept developed and implemented 45 jurisdictions $5.76M fed/$1.4M local $19.21 million PSIC grant projects review, selection and oversight OPSCAN expansion to support 2010 Olympics and beyond OSCCR Phase II: $183,126 fed. Statewide Public Safety Communications Interoperability Plan initiated WA State Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) completed Statewide workshops to solicit feedback and promote IC solutions System architecture and component requirements for statewide system Adoption of Project 25 as statewide communications system standard

13 SIEC Outreach is the key to success: The SIEC’s approach empowers and assists emergency responder agencies to work together at the local level to develop interoperability from the ground up (rather than state down).

14 SIEC In addition, there have been many local and regional interoperability successes, both grant funded and through the application of local dollars, that have contributed toward improving interoperability in the State.

15 Success Everyone makes it happen It takes all of us working together to achieve interoperability: –Policymakers –Emergency Responders –Administrators –Professionals –Technical Experts –Vendors –Healthcare providers –Private Citizens

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17 7 Steps

18 7 Steps …TOGETHER

19 SIEC National Emergency Communications Plan Goal 1 — By 2010, 90 percent of all high-risk urban areas designated within the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies. Goal 2 — By 2011, 75 percent of non-UASI jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies. Goal 3 — By 2013, 75 percent of all jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours, in the event of a significant incident as outlined in national planning scenarios.

20 The SIEC Washington State has adopted a “System of Systems” approach vs. building one big system for all users and all disciplines. –More efficient –Easier transition –Lower cost The SIEC is interested in furthering interoperability statewide and building cooperative efforts between state, federal, local and tribal systems.

21 Success All success stories involve having some kind of plan in place. –It doesn’t have to be a perfect plan –"A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow." -- General George S. Patton

22 SIEC Questions? Interoperability is an investment in Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Laura Kingman Washington State Patrol