Monday, December 25, 2006

seMissourian.com: Story: Decision to buy vans splits regional security panel: "Two Chevrolet Suburbans, equipped with the latest in communication technology -- tools that can communicate with just about anyone, anywhere in case of a disaster.

The price tag: up to $300,000 each.

In the first year of the new Homeland Security 'regionalization' concept in Missouri, these are the items the local Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee has recommended the majority of its $1,040,357 state allocation be spent on. The decision was one that divided the 13-member committee -- seven for, six against."
FCC Proposes Nationwide Broadband Interoperable Public Safety Network: "The FCC Wednesday adopted a Ninth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes a national interoperable broadband spectrum in the 700 MHz band which would have a centralized approach to maximize public safety access. In addition, the initiative seeks to promote the deployment of advanced broadband applications, related radio technologies, and modern, IP-based system architecture. "

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Statewide radio interoperability carries hefty price tag: "State emergency managers estimate it will cost $7 billion to achieve statewide interoperable communications for first responders, according to a new survey published by the National Emergency Management Association. The group also believes it will cost $1.5 billion to build, retrofit and upgrade emergency operations centers nationwide, which includes expenditures for equipment, software and personnel. These are nerve centers where emergency managers, police, fire and medical supervisors gather to coordinate their activities in responding to a disaster. Nearly $400 million is needed for urgent improvements to state operations centers, and $1.1 billion for local operations centers, the report said. "
Emergency communications interoperability at DHS questioned: "Democrats who will assume leadership roles on homeland security when the new Congress convenes in January are questioning Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's recently stated goal for having interoperable emergency communications systems nationwide by the end of 2008. Two Democrats, including incoming House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), wrote in a letter Dec. 8 to Chertoff that his 2008 goal 'demonstrates a misunderstanding of the challenges and scope of achieving interoperability among federal, state and local levels of government. The reality is that interoperable communications systems will require a complicated and expensive process that cannot be executed without real knowledge, leadership and funding on the federal level.'"
Interoperability is Achievable, Survey Suggests - Government Technology: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces the results of a nationwide survey of first responders and law enforcement that assesses progress in achieving interoperable communications. The national interoperability baseline survey was issued to 22,400 randomly selected law enforcement, fire response, and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, and confirms that roughly two-thirds of emergency response agencies across the nation use interoperable communications at varying degrees."

Friday, December 08, 2006

Airports cargo detection 9/11 commission seen as top priorities for Dems: "In the House, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., senior Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, is likely to become the next chairman of the panel. Thompson’s areas of interest include interoperability for first-responder communications, strengthening border security and protecting rails and mass transit systems from terrorists. "
Chertoff gets ahead of Hill, sets interoperable radio goals (11/28/06): "During the September hearing, Chertoff said one of the biggest problems is that state and local officials had not agreed on what kind of interoperable equipment to buy. 'This is not, frankly, a technology issue, this is an issue of having community leaders come to an agreement,' he said. Chertoff added that Homeland Security would complete a survey by the end of 2006 asking all 50 states and the 75 largest urban areas what kind of interoperability gaps they have. He said the results would allow the department to give Congress 'a much more specific answer about what funding needs are required.'"
Federal Times: "First responders across the nation should be able to communicate on interoperable radios by the end of 2008, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Nov. 28. Chertoff set a preliminary deadline of interoperable communications at all major cities by the end of 2007, and said that all states should have that capability one year later. He said Homeland Security needs to finish setting specifications so localities know what kind of radios and other technology to buy."
Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff puts interoperability on fast track in cities : "Forty-six U.S. cities should have interoperable communications in place for first responders by the end of 2007, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Tuesday. All 50 states should aim to have interoperable systems for public safety by the end of 2008,' Chertoff said during a keynote speech at the National Grants and Training Conference in Washington."
DHS science chief backs digital solution to communications woes (11/30/06): "A top Homeland Security Department official said Thursday he has arrived at a conceptual solution for addressing communications barriers among federal, state and local emergency responders. The decades-long problem can be tackled through a universal digital communications backbone capable of linking currently incompatible systems, said Jay Cohen, the recently confirmed undersecretary for science and technology at DHS. He spoke during a Washington conference on information-sharing strategies sponsored by the Arlington, Va., Association for Enterprise Integration."
SAFECOM Releases 2006 National Interoperability Baseline Survey Findings: "The Baseline Survey assessed capacities across a wide array of factors, making it the first survey derived from a comprehensive definition of interoperability. The survey was designed in partnership with the emergency responder community, and founded on the five elements depicted in SAFECOM’s Interoperability Continuum—governance, standard operating procedures, technology, training and exercises, and usage of interoperable communications."

Sunday, December 03, 2006

DHS science chief backs digital solution to communications woes (11/30/06): "A top Homeland Security Department official said Thursday he has arrived at a conceptual solution for addressing communications barriers among federal, state and local emergency responders. The decades-long problem can be tackled through a universal digital communications backbone capable of linking currently incompatible systems, said Jay Cohen, the recently confirmed undersecretary for science and technology at DHS. He spoke during a Washington conference on information-sharing strategies sponsored by the Arlington, Va., Association for Enterprise Integration."
National Governors Association Report: "To help governors address the urgent need for reliable communication in emergency situations, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) today [11/28] released Strategies for States to Achieve Public Safety Wireless Interoperability. The brief guides governors in their efforts to improve wireless interoperability—the ability of public safety agencies to share information using radio communication systems to exchange voice and/or data on demand in real time, when needed and as authorized."