CITIG and NPSTC Release Document to Explain Portable and Mobile Radio Use at the International Border with Canada
When are you allowed to use your radio? First responders require constant access to mission critical voice and data communications and utilize their mobile and portable radios to communicate with the dispatch center and with other public safety personnel. The need for immediate voice and data access does not stop at the U.S. border with Canada.
On November 10, the joint CITIG-NPSTC Cross Border Working Group released a Cross Border Outreach document that explains recent regulatory changes in simple, concrete terms and provides website addresses for further information. Download your copy here.
Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Innovation Call For Proposals (CFP)
The Call for Proposals is an invitation to bidders to submit innovative science and technology (S&T) proposals in support of Canada’s defence, security and public safety. The closing date in January 11, 2017.
Click here for details.
CanOps MASAS RFI
The Canadian Public Safety Operations Organization (www.CanOps.org) is conducting a request for information (RFI) to identify interested suppliers, and technical and business solution options, for a suite of products based on the national Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (www.MASAS.ca). CanOps has been administering MASAS for Defence Research Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science the past 12 months. For more information on this opportunity, go to https://canops.site-ym.com/page/RFI.
The Canadian Public Safety Operations Organization (CanOps) is a national not-for-profit service organization. It was established in the Fall of 2014 to provide operational support for Canadian multi-agency public safety initiatives that require the governance of senior public safety officials. For more information about CanOps, visit www.CanOps.org, or email [email protected].
CITIG 10 Announced!
Join us for Canada’s premiere communications interoperability event from November 27 to 30, 2016 in Vancouver. The Tenth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Ten, will again break new ground on key voice and data interoperability issues facing today’s public safety sector.
Want to attend? This event sells out consistently, so secure your spot today! Want to be an exhibitor or sponsor? Download the Contribution & Exhibit Package. In either case, do it early — all past workshops have sold out! Full details on our Event Page.
Australia Releases Draft Report on Public Safety Mobile Broadband
On September 23, 2015, the Australian Government released a draft report that looks at the best way to deliver a Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) capability for emergency services that is reliable, interoperable and works across Australia. Written responses to the report are being accepted until October, 28, 2015, and the final report will be released in December 2015. For full details and a copy of the Report, visit http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/public-safety-mobile-broadband/draft#key-points.
MASAS is now administered by CanOps
Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) has contracted the Canadian Public Safety Operations Organization (CanOps) to provide governance administration, business operations, communications and outreach, and user technical help for the national Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS). CanOps is a national not-for-profit corporation that was established in the fall of 2014 at the request of the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners (CCFMFC). CanOps aims to provide the public safety community with operational capabilities that facilitate public safety achievements. For more information about MASAS, please visit www.MASAS.ca. For more information about CanOps, visit www.CanOps.org, or email [email protected].
Priority and Quality of Service for Public Safety in the NPSBN
On August 19, 2015, the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) presented a report on public safety priority and quality of service (PQoS) needs and use cases for the 700 MHz Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). This 2015 document, constructed through a collaborative effort between public safety users, government representatives, and members from industry is an update of a report originally issued in 2012.
The report captures key needs that will allow LTE technology to complement the existing public safety workflow and not detract responders from their mission. Download your copy here.
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:
Toronto Technology Summit
On Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Axon Public Safety Canada will be hosting a Technology Summit at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel near Toronto International Airport. Join a group of law enforcement leaders and technology experts as they help answer the question: how will accelerating technology affect public safety? This event will provide insightful discussion and networking around the subject of technology's impact on public safety professionals. In addition to discussing the recent announcement by the Montréal Police Service to conduct a pilot project involving body cameras and cloud storage, topics covered will include:
- New technologies that can be used for good (or evil)
- The Future of Digital Evidence Management
- Understanding Cloud Computing and Software as a Service including cyber security; and
- Best practices in video capture devices including in-car, interview room and body-worn camera solutions
For full details (and to register for the free event), visit thislink.
Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) Call for Proposals now Open!
The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) is a federally-funded program that enhances Canada's public safety and security through investments in science and technology (S&T). More specifically, the CSSP strengthens 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 S&T with policy, operations and intelligence (seehttp://www.science.gc.ca/cssp).
The 2016 Call for Proposals was launched May 3 and will close on 13 June 2016. Complete details are available at:https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-16-00731441.
Get Ready for CAUSE IV
In late April, the Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE) IV experiment will take place between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario. The Blue Water Bridge, the second busiest crossing between the U.S. and Canada, will serve as the primary site of the emergency scenario. The experiment will consist of two crucial vignettes. The first part will test the interoperability of paramedic and health services by fielding cross-border broadband and wireless networks that examine voice communications, electrocardiogram tracing, live video, patient records and overall situational awareness (such as vehicle tracking) over the course of the emergency scenario. The second part of the experiment will pilot a binational capability to automate and link models that currently operate independently for alerts, situational awareness, citizen engagement and mutual aid planning efforts. These benchmarks will be part of an integrated and semi-automated process and capability enabling emergency managers to more precisely and efficiently work together.
Visit this link for more detailed information.
Last Chance to Register for ICT Workshop – Special Webinar TODAY!
Don’t miss out on the CACP Information and Communications Technology Workshop, February 22 in Vancouver BC. The agenda and all the event details can be found on the Workshop event page.
Need more information? Join the CATAAlliance’s Chief Business Officer, Kevin Wennekes, as he interviews Senior Director Eldon Amoroso (Ret.), O.O.M., London Police Service & Coordinator, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Information and Communications Technology Committee, regarding the Workshop. The live broadcast takes place on Tuesday, February 9, at 2:30 pm EST. Use the link below to view the interview at the appropriate date/time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYQurlJMLKM
FREE Axon Public Safety Canada Technology Summit
Join a group of law enforcement leaders and technology experts as they help answer the question: How will accelerating technology affect you? This event will provide insightful discussion and networking around the subject of technology's impact on public safety professionals. Details and registration can be found on the event page. Also of interest, check out the 2016 Law Enforcement Technology Report.