0 Challenges to Modernizing Public Safety Communications Provided to IEEE CQR Conference Jeff Rosenblatt May 2007

1 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- Whos job is this anyway? Security and Vulnerability Needs- It has to work for me but cant 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

2 To Establish CREDIBILITY with the Public Safety Community a Detailed Understanding of the Issues Needs to be Developed 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 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 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 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 Assessed several critical public safety topics (e.g., digital television transition, multiple access techniques, and radio frequency band restructuring) Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security Coordination and Partnerships Funding Spectrum Standards and Technology Security 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 Constant attention is required to resolve ongoing capacity issues, interference, and sharing of spectrum

3 Large Scale Improvements in Public Safety Communications Requires an Array of Change to TRANSFORM the Nation Nationwide Communications Improvements Education and Awareness Technical Research Technology Demonstration Grants and Implementation Assistance Program Efforts Over Time Policy Formation and Advocacy Coordination of Systems of Systems Coordination of People and Processes

4 Public Safety Communications Needs are Being Pushed Through National Initiatives The 9/11 Commission recommended developing a national approach to interoperability and evaluating additional spectrum needs for Federal, State, and local first responders 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 The Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC) recommended that State and local public safety agencies be allocated spectrum specifically for nationwide interoperability PSWAC (1996) 9/11 Commission (2004) DTV Bill (2006) PSWAC (1996) 9/11 Commission (2004) DTV Bill (2006) DRIVERS Reallocation of Spectrum More Organized System Design and Planning Funding to Advance Modernization

5 The SAFECOM Programs Interoperability Continuum Illustrates Complexity and Describes Progress Across Five Areas Frequency of Use Training & Exercises General Orientation on Equipment Single Agency Tabletop Exercises for Key Field and Support Staff Multi-agency Full Functional Exercise Involving All Staff Regular Comprehensiv e Regional Training and Exercises Standard Operating Procedures Individual Agency SOPs Joint SOPs For Planned Events Regional Set of Communication s SOPs Joint SOPs For Emergencies National Incident Management System Integrated SOPs Governance Individual Agencies Working Independently Key Multi- discipline Staff Collaboration on a Regular Basis Regional Committee Working Under SIEC Umbrella Informal Coordination Between Agencies Technology Limited Leadership, Planning, and Collaboration Among Areas Swap Radios Shared Channels Proprietary Shared Systems Gateway Standards- based Shared Systems High Degree of Leadership, Planning, and Collaboration Among Areas Interoperability Continuum Optimal Level Minimal Level Multi-agency Tabletop Exercises for Key Field and Support Staff Planned Events Regional Incident Management Daily Use Throughout Region Localized Emergency Incidents

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

7 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

8 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

9 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 Initiative –JPO with NTIA on E911 grants National Institute of Justice (DOJ) –Grant program for Research and Development of Law Enforcement Communications Major Federal Initiatives to Move Public Safety Communications Forward (cont.)