Special Edition: Communicating about Interoperability

Region to apply for interoperability grant

The Public Safety Communications Board has appointed a task force to work on a grant application for funding for a 700MHz P25-compliant radio and data system project. Funding may become available before the end of the year as a result of $1 billion allocated for public safety communications through the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The grant opportunity will require 20 percent minimum matching funds from the local level, and the funds are directly linked to implementation of 700 MHz systems. 

This grant would support public safety agencies who are partnering to implement a regional radio and data system and dramatically improve the public safety communications capabilities in Greater Kansas City. 

The 700MHz P25-compliant radio and data system project, Phase III of the Regional Interoperability Plan, would continue to enhance interoperable public safety communications in the region. The Regional Interoperabilty Plan guides homeland security investments to expand and enhance interagency coordination and communications, outlining resources and processes needed for the region to achieve optimum levels of interoperability as defined in the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum. 

The task force spoke with two vendors regarding high-level design preparation and cost proposals for a regional system. The task force will soon survey agencies in order to better understand subscriber information and determine the number of P25-compliant radios to be funded (or partially funded) through this grant. In addition to the survey, the task force will distribute commitment wording to agencies in order to gain project support and participation and secure matching funds. The survey and agency commitments are extremely important in the grant application process.    

This project supports and enhances the work already accomplished in the area of regional interoperability, such as the Regional Area Multi-Band Integrated System (RAMBIS), the Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan, and deployment of mobile communications trailers, regional command vehicles, and improved EMS/Hospital communications. 

If you have questions regarding the grant process, contact Greg Ballentine, or 816-701-8221.

DHS approves Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan

The region's Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan (TICP) was approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in mid-September. The TICP was initially adopted in September 2005 by the Public Safety Communications Board. The Office for Domestic Preparedness required all 2005 Urban Area Securities Initiative (UASI) grant recipients to prepare a TICP.

The plan documents what interoperable communications resources are available within the urban area, identifies who controls each resource, and outlines existing rules of use or operational procedures for the activation and deactivation of each resource. The approval process for the TICP included a peer review by public safety communications experts from throughout the country. 

Region conducts interoperable communications drill 

The Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee and Regional Interoperability Committee conducted a training drill on September 14 to evaluate the region's Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP). More than 30 public safety agencies from the Greater Kansas City area participated in the drill. 

The Department of Homeland Security requires designated urban areas to develop and exercise a tactical interoperable communications plan.The drill incorporated several aspects of the plan and met the DHS exercise requirement.

The training drill occurred at three different sites, and the scenario involved an explosion and discovery of suspicious devices. Participants established an incident command and positioned responders in the field to perform interoperable communications actions usually associated with the initial response to a terrorist incident.

“This multi-jurisdictional training drill is extremely beneficial for the region,” said Major Jess McLendon, North Kansas City Police Department, co-chair of the Regional Interoperability Committee. “The drill was an opportunity to test regional communications equipment and the ability of first responders to effectively communicate with all responding agencies.”

If you have questions about the TICP exercise, contact Nikki Thomas, 816-701-8323.

Regional interoperability committee releases COMC procedures

This summer the Public Safety Communications Board appointed individuals in the region to serve as Regional Communications Coordinators (COMCs) and released procedures for COMC activation.The COMC position is a major component of the Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP) and interoperability under the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

COMCs are individuals affiliated with public safety agencies who have completed training required by the Public Safety Communications Board and made a commitment to serve in this role. The COMC serves as a resource to the Communications Unit Leader and Incident Commander, and has the authority to coordinate and assign multi-jurisdictional interoperability assets. Appointees are Ed Brundage, Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; Dwight Purtle, Johnson County Emergency Communications Center; and Kevin Whittaker, Johnson County Emergency Communications Center.

Agencies that maintain or control regional interoperability assets agree to deploy those assets upon request by the COMC. Once an asset is assigned to an incident, it remains assigned until released by the Incident Commander. Examples of when a public safety agency may request the on-call COMC include:

• When two or more public safety radio systems need to be patched together to allow first responders using both systems to communicate
• When a large incident requires a public safety response from multiple jurisdictions that cannot communicate via their day-to-day radio systems
• When a large incident requires more responders than an agency can supply with communications equipment
• When teams using specialized equipment respond to a jurisdiction without the ability to communicate with the local PSAP or other first responders
• When requested by an Incident Commander or Communications Unit Leader (COML).

The COMCs have established an on-call schedule to ensure that regional interoperability assets can be secured at any time. The Johnson County Emergency Communications Center will coordinate the deployment of COMCs in accordance with the on-call schedule. The COMCs will keep each other apprised of what interoperability assets are in use at any given time. To request activation of a COMC, contact 913-432-1717 or 913-826-1001.

If you have questions regarding the COMC procedures, contact Nikki Thomas, 816-701-8323.

Region awarded funds for 9-1-1 and Interoperability Enhancement Plan

Following a nine-month application and review process, the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee adopted the 9-1-1 and interoperability funding plans approved by the Public Safety Communications Board.

The Interoperable Communications Enhancement investment area was awarded $3,678,825 for the continued development of the Regional Area Multi-Band Integrated System (RAMBIS), the Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan, regional mobile data system planning, interoperability training, public health communications needs and upgrades for the emergency management MERS radio system. 

This award will substantially complete the initial installation of the RAMBIS system as specified in the Regional Interoperability Plan.

The 9-1-1 investment request was funded at $120,000 and includes implementation of Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) and additional communications planning that will consider continuity of operations and disaster recovery for the regional 9-1-1 system. The TSP program, established by FCC rules and implemented by the National Communications System (NCS), provides priority authorization for restoration and provisioning of national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications that are vital to coordinating and responding to crises.

“Receiving this 9-1-1 and interoperability funding is extremely important to the region,” said Greg Ballentine, director of MARC's Public Safety program. “These projects will have a huge impact on planning, preparation and response.”