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Georgia Emergency Management Agency

GEMA

Nick BrownStatewide Interoperable Communications Coordinator

Division of Homeland Security

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Definitely not an ideal situation

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What is Operability?• As defined by DHS guidance:

“the ability of emergency responders to establish and sustain communications in support of mission operations.”

In simple terms – ensuring your responders can communicate for basic day to day missions

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What is Interoperability?• As defined by DHS guidance:

“the ability for public safety, emergency response agencies and government officials to be able to communicate across levels of government, across disciplines/organizations, across jurisdictions as needed, on demand and as authorized.”

In simple terms – ensuring your responders can communicate during large scale incidents with mutual aid agencies.

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Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC)Mission: To support, promote, and ensure the ability for public safety, emergency responders, and government officials to communicate on a routine basis as well as in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disastersPrimary areas of responsibility include:• Outreach – Planning, training, and exercise

– Innovative and cost effective ways of moving forward

• SCIP Program Management• Grants Management• Policy Development• Measurement

– What progress have we made in the 5 interoperability continuum elements

• Liaison between Local, State and Federal agencies

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Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP)

A collaborative effort to synchronize the strategic planning of local, tribal, state and federal government emergency response agencies.

Provides all stakeholders with improved communications systems, improved first responder safety and support to their communities.

First created in 2007 in response to the PSIC grant program.

Revised in 2010, next revision early 2012

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Training efforts• Georgia Interoperability Network (GIN)

– System connects radio systems all county 911 centers and state agencies – 191 sites statewide

– Online training system available 24/7• gintraining.gatech.edu

– GIN overview video for incident commanders available online• ginvideo.gatech.edu

• Communication Unit Leader (COML) and Communication Technician (COMT)– 5 COML classes in 2 years, over 100 personnel trained– 2 COMT classes in 2011, over 30 personnel trained– COML and COMT personnel coordinate communication efforts

for day to day or large scale incidents

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Exercise efforts• Mobile Communication Vehicles (MCV)

– 5 field training MCV exercises 2010/2011• 4 regional, 1 statewide• ARES participation

– Tests unit to unit and multi agency communication capabilities– Tests field communications from field back to home agency

using the GIN.• Georgia Interoperability Network (GIN)

– Evaluate coordination between multiple agencies utilizing the GIN as the common gateway

• Regional 800 MHz shared radio systems– Evaluate system-wide usage and end user familiarization

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MCV exercises

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National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)

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What is the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)?

A pocket-sized listing of National recognized land mobile radio (LMR), maritime, and aviation frequencies often used during incidents where interoperability is required– National naming nomenclature standards– Frequency use guidelines/authorization– Nationwide frequencies for law enforcement, fire/rescue, EMS, “incident

response” Technical reference information for emergency communicators

– Telephone numbers for operations centers; satellite phone dialing instructions– Technical reference: DB9, RJ45, 66-block wiring; CTCSS & DCS codes– Special use frequencies (e.g., aviation, marine, SAR, family/personal radio

services)

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What does the NIFOG do for public safety users? Promotes state-wide/nation-wide consistency when programmers

follow the information as it’s written without deviation:– Channel naming

• Particularly ITAC vs 8TAC or local “TAC” channel

– PL/DPL (CTCSS) codes• Standard is CSQ on receive, common PL on TX is 156.7 (common but NOT

ALWAYS!!)

– Tx/Rx frequency pairs• Do not mistakenly invert, NIFOG is set up with Mobile Tx and Mobile Rx

– Direct versus Repeated programming• ie: 8CALL90D versus 8CALL90 plus programmable button

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Interoperability in VHF

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Interoperability in UHF

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Interoperability in 700/800 MHz• Older 800 MHz radios operate only 800 MHz band

• Newer radios operate on both 700 and 800 MHz

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Interoperability in 700/800 MHz

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Interoperability in 700/800 MHz

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Less-expensive Interoperability:Swap Radios, Gateway, Shared Channels

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How to download the NIFOG www.dhs.gov

Search field: NIFOG• NIFOG version 1.4 – For Personal Printing (PDF, 98 pages - 532 KB)• NIFOG version 1.4 – For Professional Printing (PDF, 98 pages - 628 KB)• NIFOG version 1.4 – Rotated for Viewing (PDF, 98 pages - 532 KB)• NIFOG version 1.4 – Resized for PDA Viewing (PDF, 98 pages - 905 KB)• NIFOG version 1.4 – What's New (PDF, 35 pages - 241 KB)• Programming Guide for Interoperability Radio Channels (PDF, 3 pages - 20.2 KB)• Programming Template for Interoperability Radio Channels (XLS, 108 KB) NIFOG Author: Ross Merlin ross.merlin@hq.dhs.gov

or 202-343-1667 Smartphone app for Android and Iphone is available from a private

app developer

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Nick BrownStatewide Interoperable Communications CoordinatorOffice: 404-624-2359Email: nick.brown@gema.ga.gov