Have Your Say during the Seventh Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop
On Tuesday, November 26, 2013, we are giving delegates the Seventh Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop the opportunity to update their colleagues with a special interactive session titled: SNAPSHOT! Communications Interoperability Updates from across Canada. This is your chance to tell all of us about your great communications interoperability project, program, idea, concept, vision, etc. The update could be about a radio or data project, strategic planning process, exercise, anything you like, but MUST be relevant to communications interoperability and map to the Communications Interoperability Strategy and Plan for Canada.
Are you keen to participate? Are you a registered delegate? It’s easy. Simply visit www.citig.ca/snapshot.aspx to download the SNAPSHOT template and submit your name on line to be considered.
Fourth Annual National Roundtable on Disaster Risk Reduction
Canada's Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) will be hosting the Fourth Annual National Roundtable on DRR in Regina, Saskatchewan, on November 5, 2013. With a theme of Building Blocks of Resilience: Local, National and Global Perspectives, the Roundtable serves as an inclusive multi-sectoral consultative mechanism to advance disaster risk reduction. This free full day event is open to any interested participants, including: private sector; all-levels of government; non-governmental organizations; academia; and the general public. The Roundtable agenda and further details on registration can be found here.
CITIG 7 to Feature Sessions on Lac-Mégantic and Connected Paramedicine
We are pleased to announce that Chief Denis Lauzon, Directeur, Service de sécurité Incendie Région Lac-Mégantic, has kindly agreed to attend and speak at this year’s Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop (CITIG Seven), from November 24 to 27, 2013 in Vancouver, B.C. He will be sharing his story about the tragic events of July 6, 2013 where so many lost their lives in the terrible train crash and explosions in their community, as well as rail safety, including how responders are equipped to manage these event.
Chief Lauzon joins a long list of distinguished experts in the field of public safety interoperability as speakers this year, including Mr. Kevin McGinnis, MPS, Paramedic, Chief, North East Mobile Health Services, Member, Board of FirstNet, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce who will be speaking about Connected Healthcare and joining the CITIG Board to discuss 700 MHz LTE.
The full list of speakers and 13 separate 75 minute break-outs is too long to list here. We are also bringing back the wildly popular “SNAPSHOT” session with 13 separate 3 minute speakers giving updates on a wide range of exciting topics… |The application process for SNAPSHOT will be announced SOON so be ready to grab one of this “first come firsts chosen” sessions!
The full agenda is available athttp://www.cacp.ca/media/events/efiles/1405/CITIG_Agenda.pdfand there is still time to register (on track to be our fastest sell out ever – making it seven for seven to SELL OUT). We only have three exhibits spaces left so please act quickly to secure a space if you have an interoperability product or service you wish to showcase. Register today, or you may miss out.
CACP Private Sector Liaison Educational Forum
The Private Sector Liaison Educational Forumoccurs in Toronto from October 27 to 29, 2013. Surely to interest eNews readers, a big part of this conference is about Data Sharing. For full details, please visithttp://www.cacp.ca/index/eventscontent?contentId=1412.
Call to IAEM Canada Students - Win an opportunity to participate in CITIG 7
CITIG in partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Canada is proud to announce an exciting opportunity for IAEM student members. The IAEM is hosting a contest for two IAEM student members - one from Region East and one from Region West - to attend the upcoming CITIG 7 Workshop, being held in Vancouver in November. Student registration fees will be sponsored by CITIG and the winners will be expected to be engaged in selected conference duties. Members interested in competing for this award are required to write a short essay of between 500-750 words. For complete details, download this document or visit the IAEM Canada's Web site.
CITIG Proud to Present the Emergency Responders' Stage at SecureTech 2013
SecureTech is Canada’s only all-encompassing public safety and national security conference and trade show. Hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) at the Ottawa Convention Center October 29th and 30th, SecureTech 2013 will feature over 50,000 square feet of Canadian and international exhibits, an Emergency Responder Stage presented by CITIG to highlight priorities and gaps in capabilities as described by the end users themselves, an Innovation Stage for emergency and security companies to promote new product lines and technology, and lastly, a four track conference program focusing on critical infrastructure, emergency management, CAN/US border security and the economics of community services.
The Emergency Responders' Stage will feature a variety of speakers presenting the issues and priorities of the community. Attendance at First Responders' Seminar Stage will be part of the free admission to the tradeshow floor.
Complete details can be found in CITIG’s event listings and at the SecureTech Web site.
CITIG 7 Agenda Now Online!
Please take a look at the agenda for CITIG 7, now available online! This year's Workshop (remember, we put the "work" back in Workshop with 13 separate 75 minute mini-workshops) looks like it may be the best ever with national and international experts speaking and facilitating sessions on:
- 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband, including how the Canadian “System of Systems” will link with FirstNet in the US;
- Location Based Services including a break-out where delegates will actually build a LBS from scratch;
- Next Generation 9-1-1 including a presentation from Commissioner (Ret.) Tim Denton who led the CRTC consultation into NG9-1-1 before retiring; and,
- Search & Rescue in Canada: Is it time for a National Strategy?
This year we are bringing back our extremely successful Snapshot session. What is that you ask? Well, click here to find out and to register. Remember, the CITIG National Workshop has SOLD OUT SIX TIMES IN A ROW and we expect to sell out even earlier this year. Please register ASAP!
SARscene 2013
This year, the National Search and Rescue Secretariat is proud to join with the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) in co-hosting SARscene 2013. SARscene will be held at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pacific Regional Training Centre in Chilliwack, British Columbia from October 19 to 21, 2013. Join us and the Canadian and international search and rescue communities, to learn about the latest trends, training and developments in the field of SAR. Visit http://www.sarscene.ca/ for complete details!
Last chance to nominate an individual for the 2013 CITIG National Awards for Public Safety Interoperability
The nomination deadline for the 2013 CITIG National Awards for Public Safety Interoperability is October 15, 2013. Complete the easy-to-complete on-line form to nominate a “difference-maker” athttp://www.citig.ca/award.aspx. Recipients will be announced at the Seventh Annual Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop (CITIG Seven) on November 25, 2013 in Vancouver.
Amika Mobile selected for Collaborative Communications Project by CITIG in support of CACP in Emergency Situations
On September 17, CITIG announced that Amika Mobile‘s award winning platform, the Amika Mobility Server (AMS)was selected by CITIG for a project designed to support requirements identified by the Canadian Association of the Chiefs of Police(CACP). The project provides collaborative communications in emergency situations. See the press release here.
Join Senior Public Safety Experts in Dialogue on Technology Needs, Trends & Best Practice User Cases
The sixth annual Vendor Outreach Forum (VOF) brings innovative technology companies together with Canada’s First Responders and Public Safety and Security community to help shape the future direction of industry R&D efforts through direct, unfiltered feedback, which can help accelerate time-to-market for products meeting First Responder's needs, while also identifying the critical governance, and policy needs required of Responders to optimize technology adoption practices.
This year’s two-day Forum highlights opening keynotes by Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and Dale McFee, Deputy Minister of Corrections and Policing, Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice. Joining them are more than a dozen speakers consisting of senior public safety authorities. Using the innovative Executive Boardroom series, sponsoring public safety technology vendors are provided with a unique opportunity to engage with 25+ senior public safety leaders in private conversation and technology showcase. With limited seating of only 125 guests, this exclusive event sells-out every year. Only a few seats remain and are now being offered on a first-come, first served basis.
The Forum takes place October 8 and 9 in Toronto at the Royal York hotel. For more information on the Forum, including the detailed agenda and a list of those public safety executives participating in the Boardroom, please view the site at:http://www.cata.ca/Media_and_Events/FR_VOF/toronto2013/. Register now at: http://frvof2013.eventbrite.ca/.
Registration now open for Abbotsford and Whitehorse Cross-Border Sessions
Registration is now open for our final two meetings in the CITIG Cross-Border Forum Series:
These two meetings were made possible in part through a grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, and are part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada. U.S. and Canadian representatives from fire, police, EMS and emergency management agencies and others are urged to attend! For complete details, and to register for this free event, click on the links above.
Of note, presentations from the first four CITIG cross-border forums (Sarnia, Lethbridge, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Saint Andrews) are now available on the CITIG Web site (under past meetings on the Resources page). As well, CITIG’s cross-border work will be highlighted during the Seventh Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop!
Read about the results of our NG9-1-1 Workshop
In June, CITIG in partnership with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Canada and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Canada proudly hosted a two-day workshop designed to chart the future of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) governance and coordination in Canada. Click on the following links to see a recap of the proceedings:
For more on Action NG9-1-1 please go to www.NG9-1-1.ca, follow @CITIG_Canada and #Action_NG911 on Twitter or join the CITIG discussion Group on LinkedIn.
Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement - Spectrum for Public Safety Mobile Broadband Report
Recently released, the report, not binding on the government, recommends, in part, that: Recommendation 1: 5.39 The committee recommends that the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy issue a Ministerial Direction to the Australian Communications and Media Authority to allocate 20 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the 700 MHz band for the purposes of a public safety mobile broadband network. See this link.
New Digital Video Quality Handbook for First Responders Released by Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate
In early June 2013, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) released version 1 of the Digital Video Quality Handbook for the first responder community. The Video Quality in Public Safety (VQiPS) standard handbook specifies a minimum level of performance for video surveillance systems (VSS). To access the Handbook, click here.
NG9-1-1 Takes a Major Step Forward in Canada: National Governance and Coordination Workshop a Success
CITIG in partnership with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Canada and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Canada proudly hosted a two-day workshop on June 10 and 11, 2013 in Ottawa designed to chart the future of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) governance and coordination in Canada. Follow this link for full details. Full workshop proceedings to be posted soon.
On June 13, 2013 at the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada's annual conference in Saint John, New Brunswick, CITIG Secretary, Superintendent Greg Furlong, Ottawa Paramedic Service and Executive Director Lance Valcour announced the creation of CITIG’s new “Action NG9-1-1” initiative (seepresentation). Similar to what CITIG created in 2010 when they announced “Action 700” (www.action700.ca), Action NG9-1-1 will encompass a wide range of communications and marketing efforts including a new Web site with strategic resources such as a one pager, briefing notes, sample presentation and FAQs. CITIG will also leverage Social Media, regional presentations and related communications efforts. For more on Action NG9-1-1 please go to www.NG9-1-1.ca, follow @CITIG_Canada and #Action_NG911 on Twitter or join the CITIG discussion Group on LinkedIn.
CITIG 7 Update: Registration Open, Exhibiting/Sponsoring Opportunities Available and More!
Join us for Canada's premiere communications interoperability event from November 24 to 27, 2013 in Vancouver. The Seventh Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Seven, will again bring together a broad base of public safety and emergency management practitioners to develop a mutual understanding of the key voice and data interoperability issues facing today's public safety sector. Want to attend? Click here to register online. Want to be an exhibitor or sponsor? Download the recently released Contribution & Exhibit Package. In either case, do it early — all past workshops have sold out!
From early adopters leading the effort to those still in discovery mode, you will be put to work! CITIG Seven is the only comprehensive, highly interactive event in Canada dedicated to addressing key voice and data interoperability issues facing today's public safety sector.
Interoperability Strategy for Ontario Released
The Province of Ontario Interoperability Task Group (POINT) has developed and released the Draft Interoperability Strategy for Ontario. The strategy is based on (and aligns with) the Communications Interoperability Strategy for Canada and Action Plan by building on the fundamental principles of Governance, Standard Operation Procedures, Technology, Training & Exercises, and Usage. Please download your copy today!
A component of the Interoperability Strategy for Ontario is published in the form of the Ontario Assessment of Interoperability Systems (OASIS). OASIS is a self-assessment interoperability tool that identifies interoperability challenges from individual agencies through to provincial capabilities. Oasis utilizes all five lanes of Interoperability Continuum as the basis for gap analysis and provides more granularity than the National model allowing for a bottom-up approach to interoperability solutions.
2013 CSSP Call for Proposals Now Open
The Government of Canada is seeking proposals in support of the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) Call for Proposals, for innovative science and technology (S&T) projects. As of May 2014, up to $15 million will be available for new projects under the CSSP. The submission period for proposals will be from June 20th, 2013 and will close on July 18th, 2013. The selected projects will be announced by February 2014. This competitive call for proposals is part of the CSSP investment that ensures Canadians and their institutions have a greater resilience to global and domestic public safety and security threats, which may include common security and defence requirements. Interested bidders should consult the CSSP information available on the DRDC Web site.
Highlights Report on Stakeholder Perceptions Regarding the Proposed 700 MHz Broadband Public Safety Network now Available for Download
From March 8 to 25, 2013, CITIG conducted an on-line survey designed to collect basic information from municipal and regional public sector agencies regarding awareness and views about the current state of public safety wireless data usage as an aid in planning for a transition to a new public safety wireless broadband network. The survey was geared toward anyone at the municipal or regional level whose agency may one day need access to a public safety wireless broadband network (i.e., responders, public safety agencies, emergency management users, etc.). Click on this Link to see the Highlights Report.
CITIG Response to CRTC Consultation on 9-1-1
CITIG's response to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) call for comments regarding the Appointment of an Inquiry Officer to review matters related to 9-1-1 is now available at this link. The response -- created in consultation with a wide range of public safety stakeholders -- includes 13 recommendations that will help pave the way for Canadian implantation of Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1, a digital version of the existing 9-1-1 system. Download the accompanying media release here. See our NG9-1-1 page for more details.
Draft Report from Operational Planning and Management of Public Safety Events Workshop now Available
CITIG and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) presented the Operational Planning and Management of Public Safety Events Workshop in Toronto from February 18 to 20, 2013. The workshop was designed to bring together Incident/Public Order/Tactical/Event Commanders, Operational Planners, Crowd Management Team Leaders and key stakeholders responsible for planning events, whether small or large, to begin the process of developing a set of national best practices. Download the workshop proceedings here.
Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE II) Webinar
On June 20, 2013 from 3:30 to 5:00pm EST, join leaders from Defence R&D Canada - Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) and the Science and Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to learn about:
- How the Beyond the Boarder initiative addresses public safety and situational awareness interoperability;
- CAUSE II objectives, approach, and participants;
- Tools and technologies involved; and
- Lessons learned and future plans for furthering cross-border shared situational awareness.
To register for this free webinar, visit this link.
Three New Events Now Available for Registration!
Please join CITIG and its valued partners at any or all of the following events:
- CITIG Cross-Border Forum Series, June 6, 2013 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC.
- CITIG Cross-Border Forum Series, June 18, 2013 in Saint Andrews, NB.
- CITIG New Brunswick Provincial Public Safety Interoperability Forum, June 20, 2013 in Fredericton, NB
The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Saint Andrews events are two if six CITIG cross-border forums (Sarnia and Lethbridge took place in early May, and Abbotsford, BC and Whitehorse, Yukon are soon to be announced), designed to address communications interoperability challenges in support of cross‐border operations for responders. The Provincial Public Safety Interoperability Forum is part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada that aims to raise awareness and improve interoperability amongst responders. Representatives from fire, police, EMS and emergency management agencies are urged to attend! Click on the corresponding event listing for full details.
Nomination Deadline Extended for 2013 Excellence in Emergency Preparedness Award
The CACP/Motorola Award for Excellence in Emergency Preparedness was launched in 2009. This award program not only highlights preparedness, but also recognizes efforts being made specifically toward response exercises, as both components are critical. The award was established to recognize a standard of excellence that exemplifies the combined efforts of police, fire, and emergency medical services in preparing their agencies to respond to natural or man-made disasters. Submissions are due by May 29, 2013. Visit the award Web page for complete details.
NG9-1-1 National Governance and Coordination Workshop Sold Out!
CITIG in partnership with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Canada and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Canada are proud to host a two-day workshop on June 10 and 11, 2013 in Ottawa designed to chart the future of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) governance and coordination in Canada. This event strives to gather participants from a cross section of disciplines, industry, government and academia. The event is now sold out and our "wait list" is now full! Please visit our Event Lisitng for event details.
Keynote Announced for 2013 Paramedic Chiefs Conference
The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada are pleased to announce the keynote address for this year's conference in Saint John, New Brunswick from June 12 to 14, 2013 is Martin Latulippe. Martin is more than just a "professional speaker". This social entrepreneur, award-winning philanthropist and bestselling leadership author uses keynotes and seminars as a platform to inspire and empower people to achieve more by building a world-class mindset and stronger relationships. Conference registration is now open and attendees are able to reserve their guest rooms at the Hilton Saint John. Visit the conference Web site for complete details.
New DHS Report on the Multi-Band Radio (MBR) Pilot Project
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a report on the Multi-Band Radio (MBR) pilot project. The report highlights key findings, lessons learned, remaining issues, etc. Please download your copy here.
Lethbridge Cross-Border Forum Announced!
Join us on Thursday, May 9, 2013 in Lethbridge, Alberta for the second in our series of CITIG Cross Border Forums. This event follows our Sarnia Forum on May 2, and is one several cross-border forums (other confirmed locations soon to be announced St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC; St. Stephen, NB and Abbotsford, BC), and part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada. U.S. and Canadian representatives from fire, police, EMS and emergency management agencies and others are urged to attend! For complete details, and to register for this free event, visit ourevent listings.
Spring 2013 Edition of HazNet now Available!
CITIG is pleased to spread the word that the latest issue of the Canadian Risk & Hazards Network quarterly newsletter is now available for download (also at www.crhnet.ca). HAZNET is intended to provide a window into the newest research and smart practices in emergency management and risk reduction in Canada. Also of note, the 10th CRHNet Symposium will be held November 5 to 8, 2013 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Visit the Symposium Web site for details on the event and Call for Abstracts.
Nominations for 2013 Excellence in Emergency Preparedness Award Now Open
The CACP/Motorola Award for Excellence in Emergency Preparedness was launched in 2009. This award program not only highlights preparedness, but also recognizes efforts being made specifically toward response exercises, as both components are critical. The award was established to recognize a standard of excellence that exemplifies the combined efforts of police, fire, and emergency medical services in preparing their agencies to respond to natural or man-made disasters. Submissions are due by May 15, 2013. Visit the award Web page for complete details.
Sarnia Cross-Border Forum Announced!
Join us on Thursday, May 2, 2013 in Sarnia, Ontario for the first in our series of CITIG Cross Border Forums. The Forums, made possible in part due to a grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety and Security Institute, are designed to help 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.
The Sarnia event is one several cross-border forums (other confirmed locations soon to be announced include Lethbridge, AB; St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC; St. Stephen, NB and Abbotsford, BC), and part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada. U.S. and Canadian representatives from fire, police, EMS and emergency management agencies and others are urged to attend! For complete details, and to register for this free event, visit our event listings above on the right.
Have Your Say on a Proposed Training Module for EOCs
As part of the proposed 2013-2013 Communications Interoperability Action Plan for Canada, Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science (CSS) and Public Safety Canada are currently exploring the possibility of developing an online training module for emergency operations centres (EOCs) to demonstrate how to more effectively harness information on social media networks to help inform situational awareness and decision making. Your input is sought via a LinkedIn Discussion Group by March 28, 2013. You will find the preliminary results under the heading: "SMEOC Announcement: Review of preliminary results." Please provide comments directly into the LinkedIn comments field.
Feedback Needed on Potential Education Program for Public Safety Communicators
Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education has launched a survey to help determine if there is a need for an education program for Public Safety Communicators. The idea is to create an online program that would allow participants to work at their own pace. The program would also allow students to interact with other participants from around the country who work in the same field. The survey, found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R3MZNK3, should only take you about 10 minutes. All information in this survey will be kept confidential.
Public Safety Broadband Survey for Municipal and Regional Stakeholders
We need your feedback! CITIG is pleased to launch a survey is designed to collect basic information from municipal and regional public safety agencies regarding awareness and views about the current state of public safety wireless data usage. The survey is geared toward anyone at the municipal or regional level whose agency may one day need access to a public safety wireless broadband network (i.e., responders, public safety agencies, emergency management users, etc.). Data from the survey will provide a snapshot of the current state of municipal and regional planning for the deployment of a 700 MHz public safety broadband network, and will be used to formulate strategies to engage municipal and regional public safety stakeholders for the eventual deployment of that network. In total, the survey comprises 20 questions and should only take about 10 minutes to complete. Please submit your responses by midnight on March 25, 2013. Follow this link to participate.
Last Chance to Attend the Operational Planning and Management of Public Safety Events Workshop!
CITIG and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) are proud to present the Operational Planning and Management of Public Safety Events Workshop to be held in Toronto from February 18 to 20, 2013. This workshop, the first of its kind in Canada, is designed to bring together Incident/Public Order/Tactical/Event Commanders, Operational Planners, Crowd Management Team Leaders and key stakeholders responsible for planning events, whether small or large, to begin the process of developing a set of national best practices. While the creation of “standards” may be discussed, it is not within the Organizing Committee’s mandate to develop standards, only to bring leaders together to discuss issues of common interest with a view to creating a national strategy & action plans designed to begin implementing this strategy. This event is nearing capacity! See our Event Listing page for more details (including the agenda) and for links to the Workshop Web site.