Free
Registration closed as of 5/8/2013 6:00:00 PM.
(NOTE: It is a two-step registration process. Register for your Web credentials -- to gain access to a variety of interoperability-related resources -- and then register for the event once authenticated).
Download the Agenda
Please consider attending the following cross-border public safety interoperability events hosted by the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG) in collaboration with local emergency responder agencies and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA):
CITIG Cross-Border Forum Series -- Lethbridge: Open Session
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon local time
Cost: Free!
Location: Saddle Room at Lethbridge Exhibition Park, 3401 Parkside Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4R3 (ample free parking). For those that need accommodations, the following preferred rates have been secured at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre, 526 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3M2:
- Comfort Rooms for $99.00 per night
- Superior Rooms for $108.00 per night
- Premium rooms for $117.00 per night
Use rate code "CITIG/AEMA" via telephone (direct hotel reservations 403.327.5701 or toll free 1.800.716.6199), or list the following Group Code: CLH-GFC893 on-line at https://www.coasthotels.com/rates. Room block held until April 12, 2013.
Invited: Any U.S or Canadian representative from public safety, responder or emergency management agencies, government, NGOs, utility, industry and academia interested in furthering cross border public safety communications interoperability.
The objectives of the session include:
- Increase awareness of the issue of cross-border public safety interoperability;
- Present information on some of the various interoperability programs and projects currently taking place in Canada, the U.S., in Alberta and regionally;
- Obtain feedback from local participants about the current cross-border interoperability situation, opportunities for information-sharing and outline next steps; and
- Discuss next steps relevant to interoperability strategic planning in the region.
Agenda topics include:
- History of CITIG, ongoing projects, current trends and issues
- Spectrum management in Canada and/or the U.S.
- Communications Interoperability Strategy for Canada and related U.S. initiatives
- 700 MHz Spectrum and what it means for your agency
- The work of the Western Border Interoperability Working Group
- Provincial and regional initiatives
- Regional Interoperability Case Studies
The preliminary agenda will be available soon. The final agenda will also be available on the site and e-mailed to registered participants about a week prior to the event. Space is limited -- Register Today!
CITIG Cross Border Forum Series -- Lethbridge: Closed Session
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2013
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time
Location: Saddle Room at Lethbridge Exhibition Park, same as above.
Cost: Also free!
By invitation only: Closed for invited U.S. and Canadian public safety officials, responders, emergency management agencies, government, utilities, NGOs and academia to focus on cross-border interoperability planning at the regional level. The meeting will take a detailed look at interoperability in the region and feature facilitated sessions on development of an action plan to address the interoperability challenges existing in the region.
RSVP: If you have registered for the morning session and fit the criteria mentioned above, you will be invited to return for the afternoon session.
Background:
CITIG's Cross-Border Forum Series was made possible in part due to a grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety and Security Institute (the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions Inc.). Through the grant, CITIG is holding a series of workshops to answer "What do we need to do to formally address communications interoperability challenges in support of cross-border operations for responders?" With a focus on planning and sharing of best practices, the anticipated 400-plus participants will contribute to making both Canada and the U.S. safer. (Read the full media release here).
The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) leads the coordination, collaboration and co-operation of all organizations involved in the prevention, preparedness and response to disasters and emergencies. AEMA will be hosting the 2013 Western Border Interoperability Working Group (WBIWG) meeting that takes place on May 10 at the same location as the CITIG Cross-Border Forum. WBIWG meetings, which began in 2005, offer an opportunity for representatives from Western Border States and provinces to interact with each other about interoperability issues. This annual get-together provides a platform for federal, state and provincial coordination of public safety communications and technologies with an emphasis on border areas.
The Lethbridge event is one several CITIG cross-border forums (Sarnia on May 2 and other confirmed locations soon to be announced include St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC; St. Stephen, NB and Abbotsford, BC), and part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada.
Representatives from fire, police, EMS and emergency management agencies and others are urged to attend!
See you in Lethbridge!