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Challenges to Modernizing Public Safety Communications

Provided to IEEE CQR ConferenceJeff Rosenblatt

May 2007

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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

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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

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

Nat

ion

wid

e C

om

mu

nic

atio

ns

Imp

rove

men

ts

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

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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)

DR

IVE

RS

Reallocation of Spectrum

More Organized

System Design and

Planning

Funding to Advance

Modernization

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

Frequencyof Use

Training & Exercises

General Orientation on

Equipment

Single AgencyTabletop Exercises

for Key Field and Support Staff

Multi-agency Full Functional

Exercise Involving All Staff

Regular Comprehensiv

eRegional

Training and Exercises

Standard OperatingProcedures

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

Lim

ited

Lead

ersh

ip,

Pla

nnin

g, a

nd C

olla

bora

tion

Am

ong

Are

as

Swap Radios

Shared Channels

Proprietary Shared Systems

GatewayStandards-

based Shared Systems

Hig

h D

egre

e of

Lea

ders

hip,

Pla

nnin

g, a

nd

Col

labo

ratio

n A

mon

g A

reas

Interoperability ContinuumOptimalLevel

MinimalLevel

Multi-agencyTabletop Exercises

for Key Field and Support Staff

Planned EventsRegional Incident

ManagementDaily Use

Throughout RegionLocalized EmergencyIncidents

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

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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 3rd Parties

– The FCC is Looking to Possibly Establish Authorizing Licenses to a Public Private Partnership

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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

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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

Major Federal Initiatives to Move Public Safety Communications Forward (cont.)