What's New Archive 2014

Australian Report Provides Roadmap for Public Safety Broadband Data

In October 2014, the State of Victoria in Australia launched its Long Term Emergency Management Communications Plan (LTEMCP) to guide investment to 2025. The aims of the Plan are to:

Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets
Consolidation of existing networks to single voice and narrowband data network
The state-wide broadband data footprint will meet public safety grade standards.
Paging services transitioned onto the broadband or narrowband data networks.

A copy of the Plan can be found at the following link. This document is one of the first that sets a Roadmap clearly showing the separation of mission critical narrow band voice (P25) from broadband data well past 2020.

Smart Firefighting Workshop Summary Report

Download your copy of the Smart Firefighting Workshop Summary Report that summarizes the results of the Smart Firefighting Workshop held on March 24 and 25, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia and sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Workshop provided a forum to help identify and understand the R&D needs for implementation of smart firefighting, highlighting use of existing technologies, development and deployment of emerging technologies including cyber-physical systems (CPS), and use of standards for data collection, exchange, and situational awareness tools. The workshop brought together experts from various industry, educational, and governmental organizations involved in the cyber physical systems and firefighting areas.

NPSTC Radio Programming Capability Requirements (PCR) Announces Critical Programming Tool

Of great interest to anyone who programs P25 Land Mobile Radios, the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Radio PCR Working Group has completed a radio Programming and Management tool (PAM). This tool uses an Excel spreadsheet to capture specific P25 radio programming data fields. Radio programming is very complex with many data fields that assign frequencies, IDs, features, and options. A slight error during the programming process will prohibit the radio from accessing a trunking system or conventional channel when the radio is used. This issue impacts public safety agencies using radio equipment from multiple vendors. It also creates a huge safety issue at the scene of a major incident when large quantities of radios need to be programmed for mutual aid use. To read the full report and download the tool visit NPSTC's Web site at these links:

CAUSE III Live Web Sessions

From November 18 to 25, Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) will be co-leading in the third Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE III). CAUSE III is the third in a series of Canada / U.S. experiments aimed at demonstrating how new technologies can enable Canadian and U.S. emergency responders to exchange situational awareness information as an incident unfolds.

This year’s experiment will consist of two scenarios. The first scenario, which will take place from November 18-20 in Halifax, will examine the use of social media in emergency management. The second scenario, which will take place November 24-25 near the U.S. border in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, aims to explore how emerging next-generation mobile communications tools and infrastructure can be temporarily deployed in areas with limited or no access to telecommunications infrastructure.

A series of live web sessions will take place throughout the experiment. If you would like to participate in one or more of these sessions, please visit the CAUSE III Web site in order to register and receive instructions on how to participate.

Proceeding Report Released for CITIG’s Canada-U.S. Bi-National Cross Border Interoperability Workshop

The Summary Report is now available for the Canada-U.S. Bi-National Cross-Border Interoperability Workshop that occurred in Windsor, Ontario from October 20 to 22, 2014. CITIG would like to thank all those who contributed to make the Workshop a success. The draft Report contains an overview of the presentations and discussions held during the event. It highlights the key messages, recommendations and conclusions arising from the Workshop and is intended to serve as a reference and working document for workshop participants. Download your copy X-Border Report.

Coming soon: the so-called White Paper on Cross Border Interoperability produced by Bi-National Cross Border Communications Working Group struck by CITIG and NPSTC.

CITIG 8 Agenda Released!

The preliminary agenda is out for the Eighth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Eight, that occurs from November 30 to December 3, 2014 in Ottawa. This year will feature:

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown, O.O.M., talking about communications challenges during the tragedy in Moncton, NB
Deputy Minister of Community Safety Matt Torigian, O.O.M., on interoperability in Ontario
Updates and special guest speakers on key issues such as Next Generation 9-1-1, public safety broadband and cross-border interoperability

Limited exhibit spaces and sponsorship opportunities are still available. This event will sell out, so don't miss out. Visit ourevent page.

Public Safety & Industry Volunteers Needed: CITIG & NPSTC Announce New Bi-National Cross Border Communications Working Group

CITIG and NPSTC are seeking volunteers to serve on a new working group to study cross border voice and data communications between the U.S. and Canada.

This Working Group will provide input and peer review on a comprehensive report that will detail the current state of cross border interoperability, including:

Overview of current state of cross border interoperability in the U.S. and Canada
A review of the current and forward looking regulatory environment
A statement regarding problems and barriers to voice and data interoperability
An overview of existing cross border interoperability projects
A list of best practices for technology, policy and operations
Initial recommendations based on the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum lanes

NPSTC and CITIG have spent the last year collecting a large amount of information and reports which will form the basis for this document.

The Working Group needs input from volunteers in these specific areas:
Canadian and U.S. first responders who work along the border
Federal, State/Provincial, Tribal and local agency representatives
Operational, Technical and Policy level representatives
Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue and EMS/Paramedics representatives

The Working Group will meet by teleconference every two weeks with a goal of having a draft report ready for presentation at CITIG’s Canada-U.S. Bi-National Cross Border Interoperability Workshop scheduled for October 20-22, 2014 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

If you are interested in participating in this Working Group, please sign up using the NPSTC Volunteer Registration Form at http://npstc.org/joinToParticipate.jsp.

This group will begin meeting by teleconference in August. Please sign up by Friday, August 8th to receive the meeting notices and background materials.

CITIG 8: Registration Open, Exhibiting/Sponsoring Opportunities Available and More!

Join us for Canada’s premiere communications interoperability event from November 30 to December 3, 2014 in Ottawa. TheEighth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Eight, will again break new ground on key voice and data interoperability issues facing today’s public safety sector. The focus on information exchange, topic-specific discussion and interactive break-outs aims to support and promote the transfer of best practices and experience, and the development of a more unified approach to public safety interoperability across the country, between nations and internationally.

Want to attend? This event sells out consistently, so secure your spot today! 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!

Full details on our event page.

New AEA Mobile App

On May 4, Alberta launched the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile application. This is a big step forward for emergency alerting in Alberta and even across Canada. It helps people be aware of events in their area on their smart phone. You can access the link for the alerting mobile application along with a list of FAQs athttp://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/content/about/signup.html.

The app has the following features:

allows alerts to be delivered based on current location ("where you are");
receive alerts for preselected areas ("where loved ones may be located");
allow the user to change the alert tone for informational alerts; and
links to the AEMA emergency preparedness website with details of the 72 hour Emergency kit.

The Android version is now available for downloading. The iOS platform (Apple) is under development and will be released as it becomes available in the near future.

NPSTC Radio Programming Capability Requirements (PCR) Announces Critical Programming Tool

August Issue of Info 9-1-1 Québec

The August issue of Info 9-1-1 Québec is now available. Click here to download.

CSSP Call for Proposals on the Street

Information on the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) Call for Proposals (CFP) is now available here. CSSP investments respond to Canadian public safety and security priorities and address capability gaps. In each CSSP CFP, there will be approximately $15 million available for new projects.

The CSSP is a federally-funded program, with the goal to strengthen Canada's ability to anticipate, prevent/mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, serious accidents, crime and terrorism through the convergence of science and technology (S&T) with policy, operations and intelligence. The CSSP is led by the Defence Research and Development Canada, Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) on behalf of the Government of Canada and its partners across all levels of government, response and emergency management organizations, non-governmental agencies, industry and academia.

Agenda Now Available for the Canada-US Bi-National Cross-Border Interoperability Workshop

We are very pleased to announce that the preliminary agenda for CITIG’s Canada-U.S. Bi-National Cross Border Interoperability Workshop scheduled for October 20-22, 2014 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada is now available! Get your copy here.

The agenda features sessions on responder challenges, broadband, NG9-1-1, spectrum, etc. – all in a cross-border context. The event builds on recent progress from a number of actors and will deliver the much-needed next steps to address gaps on key voice and data interoperability issues facing today's public safety sector. The focus will be on the frontline!

Limited sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are still available. Visit our registration site for full details. Don’t miss out -- this event will sell out.

Registration Now Open for SecureTech 2014

Hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) at the Ottawa Convention Center on November 3-5, SecureTech 2014 will feature more than 50,000 square feet of Canadian and international exhibits, an Innovation Stage, an Emergency Responder Stage, a four track conference program focused on border security, critical infrastructure protection, cyber resilience and counter-terrorism, a full-day workshop on science and technology programs, and numerous networking opportunities, including business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) sessions. Please visit www.securetechcanada.ca for full details.

Public Safety & Industry Volunteers Needed: CITIG & NPSTC Announce New Bi-National Cross Border Communications Working Group

CITIG and NPSTC are seeking volunteers to serve on a new working group to study cross border voice and data communications between the U.S. and Canada.

This Working Group will provide input and peer review on a comprehensive report that will detail the current state of cross border interoperability, including:

Overview of current state of cross border interoperability in the U.S. and Canada
A review of the current and forward looking regulatory environment
A statement regarding problems and barriers to voice and data interoperability
An overview of existing cross border interoperability projects
A list of best practices for technology, policy and operations
Initial recommendations based on the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum lanes

NPSTC and CITIG have spent the last year collecting a large amount of information and reports which will form the basis for this document.

The Working Group needs input from volunteers in these specific areas:
Canadian and U.S. first responders who work along the border
Federal, State/Provincial, Tribal and local agency representatives
Operational, Technical and Policy level representatives
Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue and EMS/Paramedics representatives

If you are interested in participating in this Working Group, please sign up using the NPSTC Volunteer Registration Form at http://npstc.org/joinToParticipate.jsp.

This group will begin meeting by teleconference in August. Please sign up by Friday, August 8th to receive the meeting notices and background materials.

Registration and Search for Exhibitors and Sponsors in Full Swing for the Canada-US Bi-National Cross Border Interoperability Workshop

Join us in Windsor, Ontario from October 20 to 22, 2014 as the Canada-U.S. Bi-National Cross-Border Interoperability Workshop will focus on the frontline to address gaps on key voice and data interoperability issues facing today's public safety sector. The focus on information exchange, topic-specific discussion and interactive break-outs aims to support and promote the transfer of best practices and experience, and the development of a more unified approach to public safety interoperability between nations.

The Workshop itself will feature hands-on sessions designed to help delegates gain an understanding of, or work toward making progress on, key issues, including:

Cross-border interoperability successes and remaining challenges
Resolving spectrum issues -- land mobile radio and broadband
FirstNet and the Canadian Public Safety Broadband Network: Ensuring they work together
The Future: Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1 and its impact on Border Communities
Cross-border interoperability planning
Trends in interoperability technology, including both voice and data related issues
Situational awareness, common/user defined operating pictures, precision information environments, GIS systems, blue force tracking and location based services in cross-border situations
Social Media for Emergency Management (#SMEM)
Standards including the National Information Exchange Model

The preliminary agenda will be released in the next week or so. We will also be activating a "Bi-National Cross Border Communications" Working Group with NPSTC that is studying voice and data communications interoperability along the U.S./Canadian border. More information, including how to sign up will be provided in the near future.

See our event listing for full details.

11th Annual Canadian Risk and Hazards Network Symposium

The 11th Annual Canadian Risk and Hazards Network Symposium takes place Wednesday October 22 to Friday October 24, 2014 at the Eaton Chelsea in downtown Toronto. With the theme "Must Today’s Risk Be Tomorrow’s Disaster," the conference will enhance the understanding of, and providing tools for, the development of comprehensive programs to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all types of disasters - natural, technological or human-induced.

CRHNet is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 2003 in response to a growing demand to promote and strengthen disaster risk reduction and emergency management in Canada. CRHNet creates an environment in which the hazards research, education and emergency management practitioner communities can effectively share knowledge and innovative approaches that reduce disaster vulnerability.

Partnership/Sponsorship opportunities at the 11th annual Canadian Risk and Hazards Network Symposium are now available. Visit http://www.crhnet.ca/symposium-2014 for full details.

The US/Canada Border Conference

The 2nd annual US/Canada Border Conference occurs September 16 and 17, 2014 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. This conference brings border security leadership from the U.S. and Canada together to provide an educational experience designed to help advance your agency’s mission. The conference is developed by former border security officials who understand the educational needs of today’s border security professionals.

This two-day event, focused on advancing the Beyond the Border Action Plan, includes educational meetings, important networking events, luncheons, and the Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony. For complete details, visit http://beyond-border.com/index.php.

Conference Call Briefing regarding the Public Safety Trade Mission to New Zealand & Australia

CATAAlliance and the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG) in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) are organizing a Public Safety & Security ICT Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand from 30th September to 7th October 2014. For details and to register for the conference call, visit our event lising.

Keynotes Announced for World Innovation Conference for Law Enforcement

The World Innovation Conference ‘The Future of Law Enforcement Information Management’ is taking place from June 10 to 12, 2014 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This seminal event will feature keynote presentations by Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol and Lord Wasserman, British Government Adviser on Policing and Criminal Justice. In addition, the conference will feature plenary sessions and focused workshops addressing new and emerging technologies, including intelligence and sensing, social media, cybersecurity, communications interoperability, Next Generation 9-1-1, cloud computing, and biometrics. Visitwww.wicleim2014.com for complete information!

APCO Canada Emerging Technology Forum

The Emerging Technology Forum is a two-day event (May 20-21, 2014 at Toronto Airport Sheraton) created to meet the needs of public safety communications professionals who want an overview of technologies that are on the horizon. The landscape of public safety communications is ever-changing and the Emerging Technology Forum will get you up to speed on what you need to know. CITIG’s Executive director will be presenting at the event on the “Intersection of Cross-Border and Broadband.”

This APCO ETF is a partnership between APCO International and APCO Canada and will focus on educating attendees on the important role of new technologies for public safety communications at a time when a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network is becoming a reality. Full details at http://canadaetf.apcointl.org/. UPDATE: Draft Agenda now available!

The 2014 Paramedic Chiefs of Canada National Conference Web Site is now Live!

Save the date, and start making plans to join the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada in the heart of vibrant downtown Vancouver. The British Columbia Ambulance Service will host the 2014 National Conference, which takes place from June 11 to 13, 2014.

The Conference aims to stage for the future direction of EMS systems in Canada. With the theme of "Inspiring Leadership Coast to Coast" participants will enjoy sessions focused on creating systematic improvement, ensuring quality in operations, and generating opportunities to become increasingly relevant and impactful in providing our mobilized health care services.

Registration is now open and attendees are able to reserve their guest rooms at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Early bird registration closes April 30 (midnight Pacific), so take advantage of the special rate and register now online. Visit the conference Web site at www.paramedicchiefsconference.com and sign up to receive Conference notifications.

Public Safety Trade Mission to New Zealand & Australia -- National Teleforum to Discuss Unique Trade Opportunity

CITIG and CATAAlliance in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) are organizing a Public Safety & Security ICT Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand from September 30 to October 7, 2014. Led by senior officials from Canada's first responder community, this mission will provide participants with an opportunity to meet with key players and gather first-hand market intelligence on Australasia's rapidly expanding public safety and security markets within a diverse cross-section of private companies, associations, public safety agencies and public sector entities.

On May 15, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. EST, join Nigel Sabin, Trade Commissioner, Australia Consulate General of Canada, Fabienne Bovis, Trade Commissioner, New Zealand Consulate and Trade Office of Canada, Eric Torunski, Executive Director, CITIG, and Inspector (Ret.) Lance Valcour, O.O.M, Mission Advisor, in a discussion hosted by CATAAlliance's VP Kevin Wennekes, as they share an overview of the mission details and answer any related questions from participants.

This mission will be of interest to companies offering public safety, security and critical infrastructure products and solutions, including but not limited to: Command and Control solutions; secure voice and data communications; Broadband data solutions; Next Generation 9-1-1 (text, photo, video) systems; Scanning solutions; Identity management systems; Surveillance solutions; Training and simulation; Cyber security; and Robotics. Download a two-page mission overview here.

Register for this free teleforum today by emailing Kevin Wennekes at [email protected] with NZ&A Trade Mission in the subject line.

Keynotes Announced for World Innovation Conference for Law Enforcement

Agenda Released for Workshop on Transformational Strategies and Best Practices to Improve Police Operations

In 2013, the Toronto Police Service and Microsoft Canada teamed together to deliver a conference on IT Strategies and Best Practices to improve Police Operations. The IT Conference for Police, Justice and Public Safety Providers was a great success with over 240 delegates attending. The follow-up event managed in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police occurs at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre from May 12 to 14, 2014. This workshop will be of great interest to all public safety providers, government agencies and Industry. Visit this link for complete details including the recently released agenda.

The Future of Law Enforcement Information Management

The World Innovation Conference ‘The Future of Law Enforcement Information Management’ is taking place from June 10 to 12, 2014 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. If you have not signed in yet to attend this new initiative, please do not hesitate to visit the Web site at www.wicleim2014.comand register now!

The World Innovation Conference ‘The Future of Law Enforcement Information Management’ is the innovation platform where questions regarding innovations will be inventoried and formulated to national, European and global level. This will result in a bottom-up view of the required changes to ensure that the Law Enforcement domain continues to keep pace with a changing society. If you want to contribute to the development of international collaborations, register now at www.wicleim2014.com.

E-Comm Announces Text with 9-1-1 Service is now Available -- OPP and TPS State Intentions

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) directive to begin transmitting Text with 9-1-1 calls as of March 18, 2014 has prompted action by several agencies.

E-Comm (the 9-1-1 answer point serving Metro Vancouver and other parts of southwest British Columbia) launched Canada’s first Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) service for members of the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Speech Impaired (DHHSI) community, in conjunction with its emergency-service partners. Text with 9-1-1 service is now available to people who are hearing or speech impaired in Metro Vancouver and select surrounding area. See press release.

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) announced in a press release that effective March 18, members of the DHHSI community will be able to register their cell phones with their wireless service providers in preparation for texting with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1). However, the TPS cautioned that voice-calling remains the only way to communicate with 9-1-1 services for a person who is not deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or with speech impairment.

On March 14, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) issued aletter calling on the CRTC to either reverses the decision or discourages the practice of sending Text with 9-1-1 calls on legacy 9-1-1 networks, citing OPP and many PSAPs across Canada are not ready.

The CRTC also made an announcement noting that Text with 9-1-1 service will become available in other parts of the country as regional emergency call centres implement this new feature. For more information and to register, Canadians are encouraged to visitwww.textwith911.ca where they can find direct links for the service with their wireless service provider. Responders are encouraged to check with Tri-Service leaders in their jurisdiction for timelines in their area.

Many more announcements are expected to follow.

Webinar on Utilities and Canada's 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Network

UTC Canada is hosting a free webinar to address the 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Network (700 MHz PSBN) and opportunities for utilities to partner with public safety and share the network. The webinar will describe the latest developments in Canada as well as the United States regarding the 700 MHz PSBN. It will explain the issues, and discuss possible next steps for utilities. UTC Canada is engaging with the public safety community to develop technical and business solutions for sharing the network. This webinar will describe UTC Canada's public policy and public safety efforts around this issue, and features CITIG Chair Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Michael Sullivan. To register, visit this link.

CATA Mobile Health Roundtable

On April 29 in Ottawa, CATAAlliance and partners (including support from CITIG) will be hosting the Mobile Health Roundtable, a one-day event designed in part to identify barriers, obstacles, opportunities and enablers impacting the use of mobile technology in the delivery of health care. This is a great opportunity for our paramedic colleagues to get a glimpse at the future of mobile health, broadly defined as the practice of medicine, inclusive of health, wellness and care, supported by mobile devices. For full details, please visit http://www.cata.ca/Communities/MHAB/events/.

Dates and Venue Set for CITIG 8!

The date has been set for the Eight National Public Safety Interoperability Workshop. We hope you can join us from November 30 to December 3, 2014 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier as we continue to host the nation’s premier interoperability-related event. Save the date – registration and complete details to be released soon.

RFI launched for MASAS Transition Plan

Recently, the Centre for Security Sciences launched a Request for Information (RFI) on the Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS) to solicit ideas/interest for potential models for transitioning MASAS to a self-sufficient national entity. Follow the link for the RFI here.

Of note, MASAS is now subscribed by over 500 agencies across Canada. A similar transition strategy is being employed by U.S. counterparts for “Virtual USA” into the nisconsortium.org. After one year of operation, this entity is quickly approaching full self-sufficiency in its operations. We look forward to similar results for the MASAS transition!

Last Chance to Register for the Niagara CITIG Regional Forum

In cooperation with local paramedic, fire and police agencies, CITIG is pleased to hold the CITIG Niagara Regional Forum on March 18, 2014 in Niagara. The forum is part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada. Representatives from fire, police, paramedic and emergency management communities are urged to attend! We also welcome delegates from organizations such as, but not limited to, the Canadian Forces, Coast Guard, utilities, academia, and industry (industry can only attend the morning session). To register for the event, click here. Space is limited: register today!

Registration Now Open for Kingston and Niagara CITIG Regional Forums

In cooperation with local paramedic, fire and police agencies, CITIG is pleased to announce two exciting events:

CITIG Kingston Regional Forum, February 4, 2014 in Kingston
CITIG Niagara Regional Forum, March 18, 2014 in Niagara

Both forums are part of an ongoing series of regional workshops across Canada. Representatives from fire, police, paramedic and emergency management communities are urged to attend! We also welcome delegates from organizations such as, but not limited to, the Canadian Forces, Coast Guard, utilities, academia, and industry (industry can only attend the morning session). To register for either of these events, click on the event listing to the right. Space is limited -- register today!

Register Now! The CACP Information & Communications Technology Workshop

The time is right to register the workshop titled Information Management: A Critical Success Factor in the Economics of Policing that takes place February 24 to 26 in Vancouver. The agenda features:

Examining the challenges and opportunities of Next Generation 9-1-1
Community Mobilization: Information Management Challenges & Opportunities
700 MHz Broadband for Mission Critical Public Safety Data
Shared Services & Cloud Computing – a 40 Year old Case Study
Bear Pit Session: The Future of Law Enforcement Information and Communications Technology in Canada

Full details at here.

Attend the 2014 Ontario Interoperability Workshop

The Province of Ontario Interoperability Task Group (POINT) in cooperation with a range of agencies is presenting an Interoperability Workshop with the theme "Tales from the Trenches" that takes place at the Toronto Police College on Tuesday, March 4th, 2014. In this fast paced one-day session, you will hear real stories from first responders and emergency management practitioners about:

Interoperability during real time situations
Incidents where interoperability worked, where it didn't and why
And what they have implemented to improve the interaction and relationships with other agencies

The registration fee only $75 plus HST. Download the flyeror visit www.pointtaskgroup.ca for details.

Public Safety Broadband Network Architecture Description

Defence R&D Canada –Centre for Security Science has released a document titled Public Safety Broadband Network Architecture Description. It describes the network architecture for a Canadian public safety broadband communications network expected to operate in the 700 MHz band. It aligns with the governance model as currently endorsed by the senior officials responsible for emergency management in Canada (SOREM), which contains two layers of operational responsibility – a national entity and multiple regional service delivery entities (RSDE). The network architecture is also aligned with the service delivery model whereby the users of the public safety broadband network (PSBN) are clients of the RSDE, while also being owners of the information networks. To download your copy, clickhere.

CITIG Receives Motorola Solutions Foundation Public Safety Grant to Further Work on Cross-Border Interoperability

On November 25, 2013, during the Seventh Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop in Vancouver, CITIG announced it has received a second $100,000 as part of theMotorola Solutions Foundation’s Public Safety and Security Institute. The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions Inc. As part of this latest allocation, CITIG will hold a Canada-US Bi-National Cross Border Workshop that builds on the recommendations put forward during its successful 2012 cross-border work to improve cross‐border operations for responders. The Motorola Solutions Foundation’s Public Safety Grants aim to support safety education and training programs for first responders, their families and the general public in the United States and Canada. Read the full news release here.

Public Safety Broadband Network Architecture Description

CITIG Releases a Status Report on NG9-1-1

On Monday, October, 7, 2013, CITIG released a status report on Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1, an absolute priority for public safety organizations. The concise five-page document provides a high-level overview of the issue, the Canadian context, “active” recommendations and the work of leaders like the Association of Public Communications Officers Canada (APCO) and the Canadian Division of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). This status report primarily focuses on results and recommendations from the NG9-1-1 National Governance and Coordination Workshop held last June. However, the report also lists outstanding items identified in the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG) response to a Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) consultation and outreach efforts made through Action NG9-1-1. Get your copy here.

U.S. and Canada Reach Spectrum Sharing Agreements

The U.S. and Canada have reached agreement on three interim sharing arrangements along the U.S.-Canada border:

Arrangement U – Specialized Mobile Radio Services – 896-901 and 935-940 MHz
Air-to-Ground Services – Statement of Intent for the Frequency Bands 454.6625-454.9875 MHz and 459.6625-459.9875 MHz
Arrangement V – Fixed Services – 71-76, 81-86, and 94.1-95 GHz

The text of the News Release is available at:http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-322923A1.docx.

Download the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Report on 9-1-1

Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1 is a hot issue, and there is no doubt that the transition to NG 9-1-1 will involve technological, operational, economic and institutional change. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) recently made available the report titled 9-1-1 Services in British Columbia: Background Review in Relation to a Province-Wide Call Answer Levy. Download your copy hereor visit www.ubcm.ca for complete details. Also see CITIG’s dedicated Web site on this issue at www.ng9-1-1.ca.