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The National Information Sharing Consortium

Special Topic Discussion

“Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE II)”

June 20, 2013

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Learn about CAUSE II: CAUSE II objectives, principles, and participants;

Experiment data collection, technologies, experiment scenarios, and information sharing workflows; and

After action observations and CAUSE III.

Why We’re Here

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CAUSE IIJack Pagotto, Head, Multi-Agency Crisis Management Science and Technology, Canada Centre for Security Science (CSS) General Defence Research and Development

Dr. David Boyd, Director, Office of Interoperability and Compatibility, First Responders Group (FRG), Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Philip Dawe, Portfolio Manager, Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience, Canada CSS General Defence Research and Development

Darrell O'Donnell, Special Advisor to Canada CSS, Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS) National Implementation Team

Alana Buck, Planning and Research Associate, Maine Emergency Management Agency

Joel Thomas, CAUSE II Project Manager (Contractor), FRG, S&T, DHS

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Canada - U.S. Resiliency Experiment II (CAUSE II)

Agenda

• Introduction CAUSE Objectives/Principles• Experiment Video• Approach & Methodology• Scenarios 1 & 2 Information Flows• Demonstration of CA/US Information Sharing• Results & Recommendations• Next Steps

DR. DAVID BOYD

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF INTEROPERABILITY AND COMPATIBILITY, FIRST RESPONDERS GROUP, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Cross Border Collaboration

Beyond the Border - Action Plan onPerimeter Security...December 2011

Page 25: “The second working group will focus on cross-border interoperability as a means of harmonizing cross-border emergency communications efforts. It will pursue activities that promote the harmonization of the Canadian Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System with the United States Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to enable sharing of alert, warning, and incident information to improve response coordination during binational disasters.”

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Interoperability Continuum

JACK PAGOTTO

HEAD, MULTI-AGENCY CRISIS MANAGEMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CANADA CENTER FOR SECURITY SCIENCE (CSS) GENERAL DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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CAUSE 2 Objectives

• Conduct a scenario-based, technology experiment between Canada and the US to demonstrate the capability to enhance situational awareness between nations during a cross-border emergency event.

• Demonstrate the value of Federal Science and Technology investments with and for the response community.

• Evaluate the integration of MASAS, IPAWS-OPEN, and Virtual USA; and identify technological and operational challenges and gaps, as well as emerging technological trends.

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CAUSE Resiliency Principles

• Keep it simple• Experiment = Technologically Enhanced

Situational Awareness improves resiliency• Emerging Operational Technologies only• Federal Funding for systems engineering/

integration to bridge cross-border systems• Leave behind =

– Cross-border trusted Relationships (Ops + Policy + S&T)– Interfaced cross-border SA systems!

PHILIP DAWE

PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER RESILIENCE, CANADA CSS GENERAL DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Experiment ParticipantsCanada: • Saint John Fire Department• St. Stephens Fire Department• Province of New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization• Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science of the

Canadian Department of National Defence• Public Safety Canada

United States: • Calais Fire Department• Washington County Emergency Management• Maine Emergency Management Agency• New Hampshire National Guard• Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, First

Responders Group• Federal Emergency Management Agency• Kentucky Emergency Management

Experiment ScopeMarch 4-6, 2013 Experiment

1) March 4 – Final Dry Run2) March 5 – Canada-based Scenario3) March 6 – Maine-based Scenario

Two fictional cross-border scenarios:

1) Canada-based Scenario: Explosion at Saint John, NB oil refinery2) U.S.-based Scenario: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck has ruptured and exploded on roundabout near the border

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CAUSE 2 Video

PHILIP DAWE

PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER RESILIENCE, CANADA CSS GENERAL DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Data Collection Tools

• Demographic Instrument: descriptive data on operational experience and perceptions of integrated SA technology.

• Participant Instrument: assessed the participants’ experiences regarding the impact of integrated software tools on information exchange.

• Workload: The NASA Task Load Index (NASA TLX) measured the participants’ apparent workload level across six dimensions moderate level of demand.

Local and State Alerts

TV Field Reports – MASAS Mobile

Radio SMS

Alerts

New Brunswick

Canada

US/CANADA

MASAS

Virtual Maine

Enabling Technologies (ALL)

Technology Breakthroughs• MASAS integration – Model tools and workflows now exist for U.S.

agencies to consume/publish Canadian MASAS-X data from within their native geospatial applications

• IPAWS TDL integration – Capabilities were developed to integrate alerts and warnings aggregated by IPAWS TDL into the native geospatial application of any U.S. state or local agency.

• Virtual USA integration – The vUSA library use was extended to include Canadian participants for the very first time and integrated map services from MASAS-X, IPAWS TDL, and state and provincial incident management systems.

Technology Breakthroughs• International mutual aid – Cross-border mutual aid resource

requests were accelerated through the MRP geospatial tool, which enabled U.S and Canadian systems to directly access and query available resources from MASS.

• Local, municipal, state, provincial, and federal interoperability – Integration of 12 systems and toolsets was achieved at various levels of government across the border.

• Mobile integration – The use and integration of MASAS Mobile and the On-The-Go AlertingTM applications by first responders to support creation and sharing of SA and alert and warning information across the border through enhanced field to headquarters reporting.

Experiment Highlights

Scenario 1 - Information Workflow

What Data Was Shared?

• Mobile incident reports• Significant event reports• EOC activations• Mobile alert creation• Public Alerts and Warnings (via text)• Requests for Mutual Aid• Mission Ready Packages• Etc.

Incident Report Generated on MASAS Mobile by Saint John Fire

Incident Report Received NB EMO

Incident Report Generated by NB EMO in Sentinel

Government of Canada responds to Incident Report from New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization

U.S. Constituents Access Canadian Incident Reports via Virtual USA

Maine EMA Receives Incident Report in Virtual Maine

JOEL THOMAS

PORTFOLIO MANAGER, G&H INTERNATIONAL SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

13:30 INJECT#12 – (ACTION) NB EMO queries MASS (MRP system) for foam resources then issues IEMAC request to MEMA for resources it has found.

PEOC personnel search MASS MRP for Foam Resources, locate them, and then contact MEMA to start IEMAC request (phone).

NB Local

NB EMO

Sentinel

CDN Fed

OCIP

ME Local

MEMA

On The Go Alerting

Virtual Maine

vUSA

IPAWS

MASAS

MASS MRP

CAUSE2 Viewer

Create/Use Exchange Receive

MASAS Mobile

CAUSE2 Viewer

WebEOC

NB EMO Requests Foam Trailers

Mission Ready Package Query from the Mutual Aid Support System

Mission Ready Package Geospatial Tools

Web App

Flex Widget

Maine Accesses MRP Data

Maine Uses MRP Data

Maine Updates MRP Record in MASS

MRP Deployed/Status Change

NB EMO Uses MRP Tool

Scenario 2 - Information Workflows

Maine Generates & Shares Incident Report

Maine Incident Data

NB Receives Maine Incident Data

MEMA and Canada Send Mobile Alerts

iPad AppIPAWS Feed in vUSA

Collaborative Operating Group (COG) Specific Alerts in Virtual Maine

Alert Received at MEMA at NB EMO

Virtual Maine depicts IPAWS Alerts

MASAS / NB EMO receives IPAWS Alerts

PHILIP DAWE

PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER RESILIENCE, CANADA CSS GENERAL DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Results• The use of integrated situational awareness tools enabled the

sharing of information to a wider, cross-border EM community and enhanced SA within and among all EM organizations at all governmental levels and between nations.

• The participants’ perception of technology as an enabler for developing shared SA will be important in determining whether this technology will be adopted and implemented effectively within an EM organization

• Integrated SA tools enhanced the participants’ initial understanding of the emergency event and continued to enhance their understanding as the emergency event unfolded over time.

Results• The most valuable types of data that were shared included

location, size/scope of problem, live shots of incidents, TwitterTM feeds and TwitterTM monitoring system, information mapped with symbols, potential impacts at the CA/U.S. border, and details of the ongoing responses.

• Participants indicated that the highest workload during the experiment was associated with the performance and mental dimensions. Operational personnel would benefit greatly from practicing the actual tasks that will be executed using this technology to increase their familiarity with the systems.

Lessons Learned• Usability of the system must be optimized for users; including

developing a clear, concise governance framework for cross-border activities, policies, and standard operating procedures on how the systems are to be used and when information is to be shared. Further, all parties should use symbology consistently when exchanging information.

• The strength of existing partnerships among EM organizations on both sides of the border will determine the likelihood that operational personnel will rely on and trust shared information. To support this trust, a consistent Identity (authentication) and Access Management (authorization and audit) System should be considered.

Lessons Learned• Enhanced SA may support the enhanced quality of decision making

and risk management processes, but it will not necessarily reduce the time required to complete these activities. Decisions often must be made based on exigencies beyond the mandate of the operational personnel using the integrated SA tools.

• The production-level integration of IPAWS and MASAS must continue to be considered a high priority. Currently, other than agreements between FEMA and CSS for exploratory work, there is no signed agreement between the U.S. and Canada to allow for sharing of operational incident alerting information

People Focused Recommendations

• Recommendation 1 – Define Training Requirements

• Recommendation 2 – Develop and Maintain Partnerships.

• Recommendation 3 – Manage Personnel Expectations for Technology Adoption.

Process/Policy-Focused Recommendations

• Recommendation 4 – Establish Governance and Guidance

• Recommendation 5 – Generate Relevant Architectures

• Recommendation 6 – Develop & Implement Applicable Standards.

• Recommendation 7 – Adopt Common Symbology Framework

Process/Policy-Focused Recommendations

• Recommendation 8 – Role Based Information• Recommendation 9 – Generate Usage Reports• Recommendation 10 – – Resolve

Authentication Issues

Dr. David Boyd

Director, Office of Interoperability and Compatibility, First Responders Group, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of

Homeland Security

Jack Pagotto

Head, Multi-Agency Crisis Management Science and Technology, Canada Center for Security

Science (CSS) General Defence Research and Development

For More Information"Our Government continues to work with our partners to advance the Beyond the Border Action Plan," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety.

"Interoperable technology improves cross border communications and therefore contributes to building safety and security on both sides of the border. The CAUSE demonstration highlights the important progress for harmonizing cross border response capacity."

News

http://www.dhs.gov/interoperable-communications-across-borders

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/technology-demonstration-focuses-on-harmonizing-cross-border-emergency-communications-efforts-2013-03-06

Beyond the Border Info

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/04/declaration-president-obama-and-prime-minister-harper-canada-beyond-bord

http://www.dhs.gov/beyond-border-shared-vision-perimeter-security-and-economic-competitiveness

http://actionplan.gc.ca/en/page/bbg-tpf/2012-beyond-border-implementation-report

Contact Us

Dr. David BoydDirector, Office of Interoperability and Compatibility

First Responders Group, Science & Technology DirectorateDepartment of Homeland Security

David.boyd@hq.dhs.gov

Jack PagottoSection Head, Head/Multi-Agency Crisis Management S&T

Defence R&D Canada – Centre for Security Science (CSS)Department of National Defence Jack.pagotto@drdc-rddc.gc.ca

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Questions?Group Discussion

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National Information Sharing Consortium – Launched: June 2012◦ Emergency Management, IT, GIS Communities◦ Federal, Regional, Tribal, State, and Local Government ◦ Voluntary Information Sharing

o Governance documents, information sharing plans, standard operating procedures, and software code/documentation, etc.

◦ Founding Members (June 2012)◦ State of Oregon; Commonwealth of Virginia; State of California; City of

Charlottesville, VA; City of Charlotte, NC

About the NISC

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• New Members (As of June 2013)6. American Red Cross7. New York Fire Department8. Kentucky Emergency Management9. Washington Military Department10. Oregon Office of Emergency Management11. New Hampshire National Guard12. Miami-Dade Emergency Management13. Florida Division of Emergency Management 14. State of Washington - CIO Office15. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

(representing 22 local government members in the Washington DC area)

16. National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Foundation

17. GeoGuard (representing the National Guard in each of the 54 US States and Territories)

18. Golden Gate Safety Network19. Orange County Fire Authority20. National States Geospatial Information Council21. Maryland Department of Information Technology22. Maine Emergency Management Agency23. Lake County (OH) GIS Department24. Esri25. Applied Geographics, Inc.

About the NISC (cont.)26. Vermont Center for Geographic Information, Inc.27. Pacific Disaster Center28. Mercer Island (WA) Fire Department29. Hawaii Office of Information Management and

Technology30. Hawaii Department of Defense31. Carnegie Mellon Disaster Management Initiative32. DC National Guard33. Delaware Department of Technology and

Information34. National Guard Bureau Installation and Mission

Support Directorate35. General Defence Research and Development

Canada’s Centre for Security Science36. Delaware Emergency Management Agency37. Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security38. Montana State Library39. Nashua, New Hampshire Office of Emergency

Management40. Arizona Criminal Justice Commission41. Wisconsin Department of Administrative Services42. Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s

Association/Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services

43. Geospatial Information and Technology Association

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MISSION & GOALSBring together data owners, custodians, and users involved in the fields of emergency preparedness, management, and response to drive an ongoing dialogue on how to best leverage efforts related to the development, sharing, and governance of technology, data, and best practices.

• Enhance situational awareness • Save time and money (resources in short supply on both state/local levels)• Utilize and maximize data already paid for• Influence national policy around public safety and emergency management• Standardize information sharing efforts on a global scale• Improve community resilience

About the NISC (cont.)

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ELIGIBLE MEMBERS (Focus on Diversity)• First responders• GIS practitioner• State/local emergency management information

and communications officers• Mission-critical NGOs • Private partners• Civic leaders• Federal agencies

About the NISC (cont.)

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NISC BOARD & ADMIN

Member Portal in Development

Interim – Sharing occurring among NISC members

Monthly Special Topic Discussions

NISC Annual Summit – July 2013

Virtual USA® Transition Working Group

in partnership w/DHS FRG

NSDI Leadership Forum

U.S.-Canada cross-border initiatives

Education & Training

• Events— “Show and Tell

Webinars”— Educational Seminars— NISC Annual Summit— Special Topic

Discussions

• Technical Assistance— Brokerage of subject

matter expertise

Collaboration Space

• Initiative-focused Work Groups

• Member Working Groups— Discipline focused— Topic focused— Solutions focused

• Practitioner-developed Resources— Sample MOAs/templates— Trainings— Policy/guidance documents— Lessons learned

• NISC-curated Resources— Best practices analyses, fact

sheets, tip sheets— Case studies— Aggregated information

• Technology Store and Data Pipeline— Application code— Data sets— Downloadable

applications

(limited or unlimited sharing; unlimited publish or limited publish)

Resource Exchange

What the NISC Brings to You

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• PERSPECTIVE—as a practitioner, no one is better positioned to convey the needs, experiences, and priorities of our sector. You are the voice of the NISC.

• KNOWLEDGE—as a practitioner, no one is better positioned to provide lessons learned, case studies, and best practices to other stakeholders. You are the subject matter experts.

• SENSE OF COMMUNITY—as a practitioner, no one is better positioned to support other stakeholders who are vested in a universal, shared interest. You comprise the culture.

What You Bring to the NISC

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• NISC Annual Summit: July 9, 2013, San Diego, CA

• Upcoming Topics:• GeoGuard ArcGIS Online Pilot for Shared Situational Awareness• Virtual USA® Transition• Other member driven topics—TBD

Coming Up

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• Members join on behalf of their organization• Members are required to sign the NISC

Memorandum of Agreement

Note: The sharing of any resource, data set, or technology code is completely voluntary

Join Us!

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Join Us! (cont.)

TO JOIN• Request a copy of the MOA• Submit your request during this meeting• Send an e-mail request to info@nisconsortium.org, or• Submit a request through our web site:

www.nisconsortium.org• Sign and submit your MOA• Submit to sean.mcspaden@nisconsortium.org and

info@nisconsortium.org

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Questions?Group Discussion

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Thank you!For more information about joining…

visit www.nisconsortium.org