Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP)

Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP) Jim Reutlinger-Public Safety Technology Specialist Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan December 19, 2006

Planning and Tools Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan Communications Asset System Mapping-CASM tool Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Tactical Interoperability (Elements) Must be rapidly deployable at any time (24/7) Should be fully operational within an hour of an incident occurring. Requires oversight by trained Communications Unit Leaders, as defined within the NIMS, to support equipment deployment. May be provided through the use of common equipment (common channels, cached radios or shared systems) or a gateway between dissimilar systems and/or radio frequency bands. Should always be in support of long-term interoperability by building upon or accelerating long-term strategies and efforts. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Tactical Plan Components Site Overview Governance Structure Interoperable Equipment Equipment Policies and Procedures Incident Communications Resource Plan Based on Exercise Scenario Trained Communications Unit Leaders Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Developing a Tactical Plan Collect Equipment Inventory Data Develop Planned Allocation of Communications Resources Develop Governance Structure Draft Tactical Plan Conduct Gap Analysis (Time permitting) Finalize Tactical Plan Document / Develop Equipment Policies & Procedures Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Site Overview Provide a brief overview of the metropolitan area and its efforts in addressing interoperable communications. Consider all communications interoperability goals and objectives included in the any strategic planning done prior. Any challenges faced to date with communications should also be included List all agencies represented in the Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Governance Structure Steering Committee Operational Working Group: Technical Working Group: Responsible for determining operational and training requirements Responsible for identifying existing interoperable equipment and methods Reviewing existing SOPs and apply as appropriate to anticipated incidents. Evaluating alternative solutions to address unmet needs for communications interoperability during potential incident types. Developing formal written guidelines and checklists (SOPs), preferably by type of incident Ensuring that SOPs and checklists follow ICS/NIMS standards. Coordinating agency participating in NIMS Communication Unit Leader training. Coordinating with Technical Working Group as appropriate to include technical guidelines and checklists into written plans. Reviewing potential solutions with the Operational Working Group to identify the most appropriate ones for anticipated types of incidents Prepare solution recommendations and budgets for adoption by the Governance Group. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Interoperable Equipment Collect pertinent information on interoperable equipment Cached Radios Gateways Shared Channels Shared Systems ICTAP can meet with agency POCs to confirm the required data have been have collected. Following TICP development, data can be updated as needed to keep the plan current Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Equipment Policies & Procedures Should be documented / developed for all interoperable equipment in the jurisdiction Policies will address operational aspects such as: Rules of Use Interoperable Communications Request Equipment Activation Equipment Deactivation Problem ID and Resolution ICTAP can facilitate meetings to develop policies and provide examples from other agencies. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Incident Communications Resource Plan Detail what method or specific interoperability resources will be used for multi-agency communications during an incident Plan will address communications for the following specific ICS subdivisions Incident Command and General Staff Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section ICTAP can facilitate meetings to develop plan based on analysis of equipment lists and policies/ procedures. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Trained Communications Unit Leaders National Incident Management System (NIMS) - compliance Currently only National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training available for this function All-hazards training under development by Office of Grants and Training SAFECOM NIMS Integration Center Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Interoperability Performance Measures Baseline Assessment Sub-Element Leadership Decision-making Groups Governance Agreements Interoperability Funding Strategic Planning Standard Operating Procedures Policy, Practices, and Procedures Command and Control Approaches Implementation Technology Maintenance and Support Training and Exercises Usage Operator Training Exercises Frequency of Use and Familiarity Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program ICTAP Communication Asset Modeling Tool (CASM) Overview Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM Functionality Inventory existing interoperable communications equipment, procedures, and capabilities Map interoperable communications capabilities and methods Conduct a communications gap analysis Model current & proposed interoperable communications Needs Analysis Services Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM USERS: 45 urban areas and states, and more than 730 accounts, covering over 2,500 jurisdictions and 5,000 agencies at local, state and federal levels IMPACT: One example is the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The data collected for CASM was the single readily available source of information on communications antenna towers. DURATION: Development of CASM began in August 2004; it was released for initial use July 18, 2005. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Communication Asset System Mapping (CASM) Tool Developed For: Urban Area Spawar System Center - SD Site Leads/Engineers & ODP Functionality Ease of use Display of Asset Inventory Display Interoperability Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Features Features / Benefits: Visualization of Agencies, Radio Systems and Tower locations for an Urban Area in a geographic map representation. Agency icons reflect the highest level of interoperability they utilize. Agency’s interoperability status uses the SafeCom Interoperability Continuum. Swap radios, mutual aid channels, gateways, etc. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Features Features / Benefits: Pop-Up windows provide detailed information about agencies, radio systems, towers and interoperability for each icon. Compatibility Tool shows communication interoperability between two selected agencies. A pop-up window will identify the potential method(s) of interoperability. UA Interoperability Matrix showing highest level of interoperability that is possible between all agencies in a matrix presentation. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Purpose and Access Needs Addressed: Inventory Display Geophysically review radio system information Quick view of Interoperability Status Display of agency interoperability Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Purpose and Access Delivery Mechanism: Web-enabled Application Application downloads to user Requires an internet connection Application connects to SSC-SD Database and map server at SSC-SD Requires user ID and password Standalone PC version is also being considered/evaluated Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Initial View Map Layer and Tool Options Agency Icon Legend Map Context Reference (when using Zoom Feature) Cursor Position Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Agency Detail Agency Layer (Default) Cursor select Agency Icon, and Detail Information Popup appears. Bolded info can be selected to launch additional Info Popups. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Agency Detail Pop-up (Interoperability Methods Info) ‘Interoperability Methods Currently in Use selected to launch popup. Interoperability Methods’ listed in order of Interoperability Continuum hierarchy. Systems in use by Agency are listed next to IC Method. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Agency Detail Pop-ups (Radio System and Tower Info) Radio System Detail Popup with scroll to view all data. Select Radio System Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Tower View Displays tower locations Tower Layer Tower Icon Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Tower Detail Pop-up Select Tower Icon and Tower Detail Popup appears. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Radio Systems View Radio System Layer Radio System Icon Legend Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Radio System Detail Pop-Up Select Radio System Icon and Radio System Detail Popup appears. Select Individual Radio System Tower and Tower Detail Popup will appear. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Interoperability View Interoperability Layer Color Displayed is for the Highest Level of Interoperability used by Agency. Interoperability Continuum Icon Legend Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Compatibility Matrix (Selection) Access the Compatibility Matrix from the ‘File’ Menu. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

CASM – Compatibility Matrix The Intersection of agency rows is color coded according to the level of interoperability between agencies (see the Interoperability Legend on the Map). When Compatibility Matrix is selected from the File Menu, the Matrix window appears showing level of compatibility between Agencies. Shown here are: The Urban Area Agencies appear on both top and side. Blue Proprietary Grey - Gateway The details of the Inter-Agency Interoperability can be viewed if you select the intersecting cell. Yellow - Shared Channels Red – No Interoperability White intersection of agency with itself. Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness

Questions/Comments? Thank you Office of State and Local Government and Preparedness