Special Edition: Communicating about Interoperability

MARC submits interoperable communications request for 2006 Homeland Security funding

The MARC public safety program has been working with the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee, the state of Missouri, and officials from the St. Louis area to complete an application for federal FY2006 homeland security funds.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made major changes to how homeland security grants are allocated this year. In past years, the Kansas City region was awarded Urban Area Security Initiative funds and then developed a proposed budget. This year, the region was required to submit a competitive application for all homeland security grant funds. The application includes a multi-year enhancement plan and details investment areas that addresses DHS national priorities.

Based on planning work previously completed by the Regional Interoperability Committee and Public Safety Communications Board, an enhancement plan and interoperable communication investment justification was drafted for consideration and approval by the regional public safety committees and board. The funding request includes specific interoperability projects that will be accomplished over the next 24 months.

The enhancement plan and investment justification addresses several aspects of the Regional Interoperability Plan, including continued development of the Regional Area Multi-Band Integrated System (RAMBIS), Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan, regional mobile data system, interoperability training, exercising specific components of the Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan, public health communications needs and upgrades for the emergency management MERS radio system.

The investment information was submitted to the state on February 24. UASI grantees will be notified of funding available in early May. Questions? Contact Annie Akehurst, 816-701-8242.

New training available

In early February, the MARC public safety program hosted a Communications Asset Survey and Mapping (CASM) and Communications Asset Mapping (CAM) pilot training for agency representatives. CASM provides an online mechanism to inventory regional communications equipment assets and a real-time tool to determine available interoperability links among participating systems inventories. CAM is the mapping portion of the program, which allows a visual for determining the location of communications assets in the region.

These tools have been installed and are available for public safety agencies. The public safety staff has finalized the documentation and operational procedure for issuing passwords to public safety personnel.

Training classes will be held on April 13, April 24, May 4 and May 5. There is no cost to attend the two-hour courses.  To register, contact Jennifer Smith, 816-701-8330. 

Workshop hosted to further develop TIC Plan

In January, MARC facilitated a workshop with ICTAP and several public safety individuals from agencies throughout the region to develop Section Five of the Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan (TICP). Section Five provides the response scenario that will be used as a framework for the required full-scale interoperability exercise in 2007.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for discussion about communications unit leaders and regional interoperability coordinators, deployment procedures for communications assets and development of the MOU that agencies will sign acknowledging the procedures in the plan. The comprehensive training plan portion of the TICP is also in development, and training will be available in late 2006. Questions? Contact Nikki Thomas, 816-701-8323.

Rebanding project update

Public safety agencies in the MARC region are moving forward with a regional 800 MHz Rebanding plan; however, the rebanding process continues to be challenging and rapidly changing. Several other public safety associations have also expressed concerns regarding the process.

Due to these challenges, MARC will identify a consultant to assist with the task of planning and implementing an efficient and non-disruptive reconfiguration effort. The search for qualified candidates is underway. MARC distribues weekly status updates to affected agencies via e-mail to keep agencies apprised of the latest information about the rebanding plan.

Affected agencies are required to keep detailed planning and financial records of rebanding impact on their agencies. Recently, MARC provided a tracking sheet that agencies can use to document their equipment inventories. In the next few months, MARC will consolidate the inventory spreadsheets to provide full documentation of regional inventory and ensure proper planning. The transition administrator will require validation of expenses, so it is imperative to keep detailed financial records. Questions? Contact Nikki Thomas, 816-701-8323.

Strategic Plan approved

The Public Safety Program strategic plan was approved by the Public Safety Communications Board on January 31.

A strategic planning committee began work on the plan in early 2005 with two full-day planning workshops. These workshops were well attended by public safety personnel, elected officials, program staff and other interested parties.

Following the workshops the strategic planning committee examined the discussions to prepare a mission and vision statement for the public safety communications program, which was later validated by several groups. The mission statement and workshop discussions were used to develop the goals and objectives of the strategic plan.

The final plan, as adopted by the Public Safety Communications Board, defines objectives and strategies within the regional 9-1-1 system and regional interoperability activities. Questions?  Contact Annie Akehurst, 816-701-8242.

Interoperability Subcommittee to meet in March

An Interoperability Subcommittee meeting is scheduled Tuesday, March 7 at 9:30 a.m., to work on specific 2006 work plan tasks. This work plan was approved by the Public Safety Communications Board in September 2006. 

The meeting will include discussion on the Tactical Interoperability Communications (TIC) Plan memorandum of understanding, a survey tool for collecting technical data from participating agencies, and identifying criteria and process for selection and training of future Regional Interoperability Coordinators.

If you are interested in volunteering to participate in this subcommittee, please contact Nikki Thomas, 816-701-8323.