SAFECOM-NCSWIC Joint Session Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Joint Meeting of SAFECOM and the 

National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) 

June 12-14, 2012: Los Angeles, California 

A MESSAGE FROM OEC DIRECTOR CHRIS ESSID 

The June 2012 Joint NCSWIC and SAFECOM Meeting in Los Angeles, California, was a great 

success. Thank you for taking the time to come together and discuss critical emergency 

communications issues. These meetings are a unique opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and 

start building new partnerships, which are essential for tackling our shared emergency 

communications challenges. I am continually impressed by the quality of the discussions among our 

guest speakers, Federal partners, and NCSWIC and SAFECOM members. Your valuable insights, 

advocacy, and support have contributed greatly to our successes. We have accomplished a lot 

together in the past five years, and I am excited to see where the next five years will take us. 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ROUNDTABLE: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS 

The Intergovernmental Roundtable session provides an opportunity to 

discuss emergency communications issues and lessons learned through the 

lens of a real-world incident. The June Meeting roundtable focused on 

emergency communications and public-private partnerships during a 

windstorm in California last November. A rare north wind caused 

unprecedented damage to communities across Southern California. At the 

peak of the event, winds topped 100 miles per hour, causing the loss of 

thousands of trees and power poles, sparking fires, and blocking hundreds of 

miles of roadways. More than 500,000 customers lost power and other 

utilities. Response and recovery efforts were complicated by the loss of 

power and communications and trees that fell on power lines and roadways, 

resulting in many inaccessible areas to first responders and repair crews. 

Dozens of communities struggled to develop alternate communications 

methods to inform residents and businesses, clear debris, and restore 

essential services. 

The panel spoke about several best practices and lessons learned from the event and the response. In particular, they 

advised that emergency responders should: 

� Develop relationships with local weather forecasters/warning centers, or at least monitor weather reports, so 

they have advance warning of impending severe weather 

� Regularly test emergency equipment, such as generators 

� Arrange for surge capacity to answer large volume of 9-1-1 calls during major weather events 

� Ensure mutual aid agreements are in place and utilize them, if necessary 

� Plan to address the special needs of certain populations, such as the elderly, during major emergencies 

� Communicate with the public using all available methods including social media, reverse 9-1-1 systems, email, 

and traditional media; an informed public is critical for effective emergency response and management, and a 

public safety presence on many communications platforms can help prevent the spread of misinformation 

� Engage in frequent emergency messaging to reassure uneasy residents and increase confidence in public safety 

� Consider other methods of communications, such as the postal service or leveraging volunteer organizations 

� Consider collecting information from social media (during this event, 

officials used social media to gather a list of people without power) 

� Proactively build relationships with private sector companies that may 

impact emergency response, such as utilities, and establish reliable 

methods to communicate with them during emergencies 

� Develop a catastrophic disaster plan and exercise the plan – consider 

including utilities and public health officials in planning and exercises 

� Suggest utilities companies have resources in place prior to a major 

weather event to speed the utilities restoration process 

Windstorm Impact in Southern California 

Page 1 of 13 

Intergovernmental Roundtable 

Participants 

� Michael Crews, SWIC, State of 

California (Moderator) 

� James Frawley, Chief, San Marino Fire 

Department 

� John Penido, Disaster Management 

Area Coordinator, Los Angeles County 

Operational Area C 

� Don Wise, Executive Administrator, 

Verdugo Fire Communication Center 

� Don Boland, California Utilities 

Emergency Association

PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND 





NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND NETWORK (NPSBN) DISCUSSIONS 

To inform participants on the impact of the Middle Class 

Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 11- 

96), Chris Essid facilitated a panel that included Marilyn 

Ward of the National Public Safety Telecommunications 

Council (NPSTC), Steve Proctor from the Federal 

Communications Commission (FCC) Technical Advisory 

Board, and Dereck Orr of the Public Safety Communications 

Research (PSCR) Program. The panel provided updates on 

the activities from their respective organizations over the last 

six months. During the panel presentation Ms. Ward 

presented a video demonstrating the future work 

environments for the emergency management community. 

Panelists and participants discussed the lack of broadband 

education and the resulting misinformation about network 

development, the timeline for deployment, and future land 

mobile radio (LMR) investment requirements. Based on the 

discussion, participants identified the critical need to 

develop outreach materials to inform issues such as optin/opt-out 

processes, differences between current LMR and 

next generation technologies, and network investment decisions. While the NPSBN will help to increase the 

efficiency and effectiveness of the public safety community, participants also discussed challenges that could derail 

efforts for the future network, such as commercial vendor efforts to sell low-cost long term evolution (LTE) devices 

and infrastructure to States and public safety agencies across the Nation. Panelists warned that while certain 

infrastructure capabilities can be obtained early, purchasing proprietary, non-interoperable equipment creates a danger 

of increasing system complexity, creating an “LMR II” type environment of stovepiped systems and undermining 

future FirstNet efforts and the NPSBN. In a discussion about network funding, Mr. Orr clarified that the $100 million 

designated in the legislation for research and development will not be allocated until the conclusion of the spectrum 

auctions and until the original $7 billion is repaid. The Congressional Budget Office believes this will not occur until 

Fiscal Year 2017. 

During an interactive working session, participants contributed to an ongoing, joint SAFECOM/NCSWIC Broadband 

Outreach Working Group effort to develop outreach materials by drafting answers to be included in a frequently asked 

questions (FAQ) document for policymakers and elected officials. OEC will consolidate all input for the working 

group to approve and include in their education and outreach materials. For more information on the working group’s 

progress or to become more involved, please contact Malcolm Beckett (OEC) at malcolm.beckett@hq.dhs.gov. 

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA) SESSIONS: GRANTS AND OUTREACH 

Laura Pettus and Lance Johnson of the NTIA reviewed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and 

funding allocations under the legislation, noting NTIA’s borrowing authority of two billion dollars to help establish 

FirstNet and $135 million for the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP). Ms. Pettus emphasized the 

need to plan appropriately and ensure regions and public safety entities are not developing individual and disparate 

networks that will not be interoperable in the future. Individuals and public and private sector entities have the 

opportunity to influence the structure and outcomes of the grant program by responding to NTIA’s request for 

information (RFI) for the SLIGP; responses were due June 15. Ms. Pettus took the opportunity to gain participant 

feedback on the RFI by asking each table to discuss one of the key questions contained in the RFI related to the 

Page 2 of 13 

Organizational Updates on Broadband Activities 

NPSTC – Marilyn Ward 

� Evolving the Public Safety Broadband Directory 

� Developing Broadband Outreach Working Group 

documents 

� Continuing 700MHz Statement of Requirement 

development 

FCC Interoperability Board – Steve Proctor 

� Established minimum technical network requirements 

� Developed “should” and “shall” recommendations for 

FirstNet 

PSCR – Dereck Orr 

� Developing public safety use cases for direct mode 

communications 

� Testing for spectrum allocation, interoperability testing, 

and LTE device capabilities 

� Coordinating with Federal Government and 

international colleagues on emerging technology 

standards for LTE, Project 25 (P25), and LMR systems





consultation process, existing governance bodies, leveraging existing infrastructure, and grant activities. Themes that 

emerged from the group’s responses include: 

� Develop a standardized inventory process to gather information on assets and infrastructure from each State to 

inform FirstNet 

� Create large-scale educational and outreach initiatives related to issues such as the future network functionality 

and State involvement in network operation 

� Include SWICs, Statewide Interoperability Governing Bodies (sometimes known as Statewide Interoperability 

Executive Committees), State Administrative Agencies (SAA), and Chief Information Officers in planning 

activities and interactions with FirstNet 

� Leverage grant funding to cover issues required governance structure enhancements, governing body 

maintenance, data collection activities and other broadband-related activities 

� Use Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans (SCIP) as foundational documents for network and 

strategic planning 

� Develop and leverage partnerships with other sectors; include utilities in supply chain planning and future 

working groups 

In a later panel, Ms. Pettus discussed outreach efforts that NTIA 

has leveraged to engage Federal, State, local, tribal and other 

stakeholders from the public safety community. In addition to 

participating in conferences and hosting webinars, Ms. Pettus 

asked stakeholders for ideas on other ways NTIA can engage 

and educate stakeholders. The group provided detailed 

recommendations, highlighted to the right. During the course of 

the discussion, Ms. Pettus also provided comments on the optout 

process. She noted that NTIA will support any State 

regardless of whether they elect to opt-in or opt-out of the 

nationwide network deployment, and that even if a State optsout, 

they will still have to consult with FirstNet. She added that 

there are misconceptions that Governors must make the opt-out 

decision within 180 days from the establishment of FirstNet. 

She stated this is incorrect and while the exact timeframe is not 

know, this process will likely take years to complete. Planning and governance are critical components to the 

development of the network; Ms. Pettus emphasized that NTIA is engaging in actions that will allow for proper 

network construction from the beginning. 

FEDERAL FUNDING 

Carolyn Dunn, Acting Program Development Branch Chief at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 

Grant Programs Directorate, discussed a number of key grants topics that directly impact stakeholders, including the 

Presidential Policy Directive-8 (PPD-8), Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA) requirements, Fiscal 

National Preparedness Goal 

A secure and resilient Nation with the 

capabilities required across the whole community 

to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, 

and recover from the threats and hazards that 

pose the greatest risk. 

Year (FY) 2013 outlook, and guidance on broadband expenditures. 

PPD-8 is intended to strengthen the nation’s resilience through the 

involvement of the whole community in emergency preparedness 

and response. The directive requires DHS to develop the National 

Preparedness Goal (NPG) – a systematic, all-hazards, capabilitybased 

approach to national preparedness – and to engage the whole 

community, including all levels of government, the private and 

nonprofit sectors, and individual citizens, in response. The 

National Preparedness Goal identifies core capabilities and capability targets within the mission areas of prevent, 

protect, mitigate, respond, and recover. The directive requires the Secretary to promote and support the National 

Preparedness Goal through policy and funding. 

Page 3 of 13 

Participant Input on Future NTIA Education 

and Outreach 

� Develop a portal for current information; 

include FAQ materials and technology 

descriptions 

� Develop a one-page fact sheet about opt-out to 

clear-up misunderstandings about the process 

� Ensure stakeholders have a common awareness 

by disseminating common information 

� Provide education on the timeframe so regions 

do not purchase stand-alone systems from 

vendors 

� Continue webinars and outreach to public 

safety organizations





FEMA’s FY 2013 Grants Vision is focused on building and sustaining the core capabilities identified in the National 

Preparedness Goal. FEMA supports the President’s FY 2013 budget request and proposal to consolidate 16 grants 

into one, streamlined FY 2013 National Preparedness Grant Program (NPGP) focused on enhancing terrorism 

prevention and protection capabilities, developing and sustaining core capabilities, and critical infrastructure/ key 

resource protection. The House Appropriations Committee did not support the NPGP approach, but proposed to 

appropriate funding in the same manner as in FY 2012, which gives the Secretary discretion to allocate funding across 

existing grant programs. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not support the full consolidation of grant 

programs, and did not leave discretion to the Secretary. Instead, Senate provided specific funding to certain grant 

programs and allowed costs previously allowable under some of the smaller programs (e.g., IECGP) to be 

consolidated under these grants. The Administration is working with both committees to ensure the Secretary is 

provided maximum flexibility to execute as much of the NPGP proposal as is possible and to adhere to the grant 

requirements under the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007”. Regardless of the 

outcome, FEMA’s grant programs will still focus on the National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities. Critical to the 

success of achieving the National Preparedness Goal will be identifying and assessing risk and estimating the 

capability requirements for communities. 

THIRAs will provide a consistent way to estimate the level of capability needed and help individual communities 

better prioritize resources to address identified capability gaps. THIRAs will also help FEMA identify competitive 

grant programs for addressing national target capability gaps. On June 1, FEMA issued Information Bulletin (IB) 

#385(a) Update to Information Bulletin #385 - Clarification of the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk 

Assessment (THIRA) Requirement. All State and local entities who are recipients of FY 2012 Homeland Security 

Grant Program, Emergency Management Performance Grant, or Urban Area Security Initiative funds are required to 

complete a THIRA as a condition of grant funding. The THIRA will not be a pre-requisite for applying for FY 2013 

grant funding, but will be an annual performance requirement for future grants. Tribal nations are encouraged, but not 

required, to have a THIRA. State Administrative Agencies (SAA) are required to submit a State/territory THIRA, as 

well as an Urban Area THIRA, if applicable, by December 31, 2012. Urban areas should coordinate with the SAA to 

ensure their THIRA is included as an attachment to the SAA’s submission. 

Lastly, Ms. Dunn previewed a forthcoming FEMA IB that will partially suspend funding for certain broadband 

investments until FirstNet establishes the technical requirements and architecture for the NPSBN. FEMA, in 

coordination with OEC, has since released IB 386, regarding “Clarification on Use of Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS)/FEMA Public Safety Grant Funds for Broadband-Related Expenditures and Investments.” FEMA 

coordinated development of the IB with OEC and other Federal partners, including NTIA, in response to the “Middle 

Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.” This IB aligns to a similar approach NTIA has taken with Broadband 

Technology Opportunities Program grantees to ensure projects support the planning and deployment of the NPSBN. 

The IB explains that: 

� DHS Grantees with FCC waivers or special temporary authority to operate in the 700 MHz public safety band 

may submit applications for funding or reprogramming for broadband equipment, but those project will be 

thoroughly reviewed by Federal partners to ensure they complement, and do not complicate the deployment of 

the NPSBN 

� DHS Grantees without expressed authority to operate in the 700 MHz public safety band will not be allowed 

to submit proposals to use DHS funds for broadband (LTE) equipment until they have authority to operate 

� While some broadband activities (e.g., acquisition, deployment) are temporarily restricted under this notice, 

grantees may continue to apply DHS/FEMA grant funds toward low-risk broadband activities (e.g., broadband 

needs assessments), as well as for other emergency communications and homeland security needs (e.g., 

narrowbanding, training, exercises). For more information, see 

http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/bulletins/. For questions regarding the FEMA grants update, please 

contact Carolyn Dunn at Carolyn.Dunn@dhs.gov. 

Page 4 of 13

NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 





Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) technologies will 

enhance current 9-1-1 network capabilities and provide 

first responders and public safety answering points 

(PSAP) with increased access to information through 

using text, images, video, and other data. Panelist Laurie 

Flaherty from the Department of Transportation’s 

National 9-1-1 Program reviewed the program and its 

accomplishments. She emphasized that the emergency 

communications system is comprised of public access, 

PSAPs, and first responder components that must be 

connected and operate in a seamless manner. She 

reviewed the FCC’s five-point plan to move NG 9-1-1 

forward, which included two 2011 notices of proposed 

rulemaking and the Commission’s current work of facilitating the development of technical standards and coordinating 

with stakeholders to develop a governance framework. Moving to this new system is critically important for public 

safety, not only because of the various types of information one can attain and use during an emergency, but also 

because it provides a layer of resiliency by allowing PSAPs to control call volume and by making the physical call 

center location immaterial. 

Citizens reporting an incident or emergency expect 9-1-1 call center operators have access to the same advancements 

in wireless communications technology as they have on their devices and smartphones. Panelists discussed two 

instances where call center operators relied on their personal devices to receive text messages and digital data because 

9-1-1 infrastructure is not yet able to accept and process this type of information. While there are PSAPs that are 

testing the use of text technology, most call centers do not yet have these capabilities. In a discussion about efforts to 

upgrade infrastructure, Terry Hall of Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials- International (APCO) 

stated that Virginia is testing a texting technology and will launch an alpha-site for Verizon in approximately three 

months. He added any PSAP that can receive text messages could also receive streaming video and pictures. 

However, these new benefits bring added complications, such as determining storage capacity needs for the data and 

the resulting implications of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 

Evolution of the 9-1-1 System 

Page 5 of 13 

National 9-1-1 Program Overview and Accomplishments 

� Contains two parallel tracks through which DOT 

developed: 

o A proof of concept demonstrating the possibility 

to receive digital data 

o A transition plan and cost-benefit analysis of risks 

� Provides a Federal focus for 9-1-1 

� Promotes and supports these services by facilitating 

coordination among public and private stakeholders at 

local, State, and national level 

� Serves as an information clearinghouse 

� Administers the 9-1-1 Grant Program 

Participants asked about challenges related to the 

transition, such as whether a personnel study had been 

conducted to identify how many additional PSAP staff 

will be needed to handle the volume from texting. 

Mr. Hall responded in the Virginia test, it did not take 

long to flood the line, but that the Black Hawk County 

test was successful. He added that Black Hawk has a 

very small PSAP and that a PSAP in New York City 

would likely not have the same success. Panelists 

emphasized the importance of continuing to share 

information about NG 9-1-1 technology development 

and to conduct outreach initiatives.





UPDATE ON SAFECOM AND NCSWIC 2012 PRIORITIES 

During the December 2011 Joint Meeting, SAFECOM and NCSWIC identified their strategic priorities for 2012. 

Since that time, OEC has coordinated action plans for each priority and worked in coordination with SAFECOM and 

NCSWIC leadership to establish working groups to further these efforts. The key activities and outcomes of each 

working group is documented in the table below. 

Working Group 

(Priority) 

Broadband 

Outreach 

(SAFECOM/ 

NCSWIC) 

Funding and 

Grants 

(SAFECOM/ 

NCSWIC) 

NG 9-1-1 

(SAFECOM) 

P25 

(SAFECOM) 

Statewide 

Governance 

(NCSWIC) 

COML/ COMT 

(NCSWIC) 

Key Activities and Outcomes 

� Developed an executive summary of the Public Safety Communications Evolution brochure 

� Planning for the development of three separate one-page FAQ-style documents on the NPSBN and its 

impact for policymakers/elected officials, technical personnel, and operational personnel 

� Continuing to seek additional input to NPSTC directory (see ‘Additional Resources’ for link) and 

perform review of input 

� Determined working group scope to include webinars and a one page document on advocacy, 

performance measurement, sustainable funding, and tracking and maintaining awareness of grant 

programs 

� Collected grants-related best practice models, agreed upon a proposed webinar outline/framework, and 

selected three SWICs to present on their sustainable funding models during the first webinar 

� Shared insights on the FY 2012 Grant Process and FEMA guidance on reprogramming, THIRA, etc. 

� Providing input on the SAFECOM Grant Guidance process and priorities, when requested 

� Developed and circulated a resource document containing educational resources for NG 9-1-1 

� Initiating a plan to develop a web-based information cleaninghouse to include materials from the 

resource document and link to FCC and Department of Commerce web resources 

� Developing plans to create 101-style white papers to inform practitioners, techncians, policymakers, 

and CIOs on NG 9-1-1 and its implications 

� Collecting P25 resource documents, including compendium of standards completed to date 

� Monitoring changes in the P25 user participation process 

� Planning to develop educational products about P25 and opportunities to participate in the P25 process 

once the user participation reorganization is finalized 

� Coordinated the update of the statewide governance criteria document originally developed in 2008 – 

criteria was approved by the SAFECOM and NCSWIC Executive Committees 

� Held first webinar where VA and DE presented on their governance models; approx. 30 participants 

� Planning additional webinars on other State governance models and updating criteria 

� Developed a baseline criteria for States to use nationwide – criteria was endorsed by NCSWIC 

� Held first webinar where TN presented on their COML program; approx. 30 participants 

� Planning additional webinars on other State programs 

Page 6 of 13





STATEWIDE PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 

STATEWIDE PLANNING 

OEC is updating the current Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) and SCIP Implementation Report 

based on best practices from past statewide planning efforts. A new emergency communications strategic planning 

tool will help SWICs advise leadership and elected officials on funding priorities based on existing emergency 

communications gaps. OEC envisions the new Statewide plan will better align to State’s needs by expanding it 

beyond interoperability; making it more streamlined, measureable, and flexible; as well as easier to develop and 

maintain. If you would like to become a “champion” to help guide the development of the new criteria, please contact 

Adrienne Werner (adrienne.werner@hq.dhs.gov). OEC plans to release the new draft criteria for stakeholder review at 

the November 2012 NCSWIC meeting. OEC will then host SCIP implementation workshops to develop or refine 

each State’s strategy and complete the new plan prior to the anticipated December 2013 deadline. 

Participants discussed and provided input on the SCIP criteria. Stakeholders offered that the scope of the SCIP criteria 

needs to encompass the full cycle of emergency communications, information should be easily submitted via an 

electronic template, and the results should be easy to share. Participants also felt that it would be helpful to focus on 

improving day-to-day communications. The plans should cover a five year term with guidance on NG 9-1-1 and 

broadband criteria. To further assist statewide planning efforts, OEC is developing a broadband planning template to 

help stakeholders develop a baseline for a Statewide Public Safety Wireless Broadband Plan, incorporating the key 

decision points relating to the enacted legislation. This document is being piloted in several States and when 

completed, it will be converted into an online collection tool. Please contact Rich Reed (richard.reed@hq.dhs.gov) for 

additional information. 

Aug 1, 

2012 

FY 2012 SCIP 

Implementation 

Report Template 

Released 

Oct 31, 

2012 

FY 2012 SCIP 

Implementation 

Report Due to OEC 

Nov 2012 

New Draft Criteria 

Released to 

Stakeholders for 

Discussion at 

NCSWIC meeting 

Page 7 of 13 

Jan 2013 – Aug 

2013 

Workshops on 

Statewide 

Emergency 

Communications 

Strategic Planning 

Dec 201 

Anticipated High-Level Timeline for Statewide Planning in 2012 and 2013 

Statewide 

Emergency 

Communications 

Plan Due to OEC

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 





Rich Reed provided an update on OEC’s three pronged Technical Assistance 

(TA) approach that will help address each State’s specific needs. OEC 

received about 226 requests for 2012 TA, with new offerings being created 

based on TA recipient feedback. OEC encourages States to submit requests 

now if they would like to receive additional TA during 2012, as funds to 

support these services may be available. 

FY 2013 brings new changes to the TA program. Instead of releasing a new TA catalogue each year, an online 

version will continually be updated. In addition, TA requests will be due in August rather than December to allow 

additional time for execution. TA will be targeted to address gaps identified through the National Emergency 

Communications Plan (NECP) Goal 2. There are two National TA priorities for 2013: broadband and engagement to 

support Goal 2 data collection from the 565 Federally-recognized tribes in the U.S. 

The number of automated tools available on www.publicsafetytools.info has increased this year. OEC hopes to 

leverage automated tools as a method to make OEC’s services widely available at a lower cost. Tools are available for 

response-level communications, Communication Assets Survey and Mapping (CASM), narrowbanding, the National 

Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG), and SWIC mapping. New computer-based training is also in 

development in cooperation with Carnegie Mellon University. If you have computer based classes you would like to 

have considered for the site, or if you have any additional questions about OEC TA, please contact Rich Reed at 

richard.reed@hq.dhs.gov. 

To avoid duplication of effort, the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and OEC combined the COML courses in 

to one nationally standardized course. In May 2011, FEMA began leading this effort with OEC providing all technical 

content. Additional BETA testing for two new COML and COMT Train the Trainer (TtT) courses are expected to be 

finished by the end of the summer. OEC has also developed a COMU awareness course focused on educating leaders 

about the courses’ purpose and capabilities. Meeting participants also expressed interest in an Auxiliary 

Communications (AuxCOM) TtT course, hosted by a COML representative. 

PROJECT 25 PROGRAM UPDATE 

OEC Acting Regional Coordinator Program Chief, Ross Merlin, provided an update on P25 progress on behalf of Jim 

Downes, OEC. He reviewed the status of the suite of baseline standards that include over 76 published documents. 

These documents currently address 11 interfaces, but that number is expected to increase upon the completion of 

Phase Two. The P25 Suite of Standards is voted on by the P25 Steering Committee and has representatives from 

industry and user communities. As the group moves forward, more subject matter expert input is needed to maintain 

the most up-to-date information and clarification of existing standards. OEC is interested in identifying possible 

problems with the interoperability or performance of P25 equipment and systems. If you encounter any issues 

implementing your own system, please contact Jim Downes or the P25 Users Needs Subcommittee. Moving forward, 

Mr. Downes is interested in forming a P25 SWIC Working Group to identify possible problems with interoperability 

or performance of P25 equipment and systems . Please contact him if you are interested in participating at 

james.downes@hq.dhs.gov. 

Page 8 of 13 

Three Pronged TA Approach 

� State-Requested TA 

� OEC National Priorities 

� Automated Tools

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 





SAFECOM HSIN Collaboration Site (SAFECOM members only): 

https://government.hsin.gov/sites/FedOperations/NPPD/SAFECOM/default.aspx 

NCSWIC HSIN Collaboration Site (NCSWIC members only): 

https://government.hsin.gov/sites/FedOperations/NPPD/NCSWIC/default.aspx 

Broadband Legislation - Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-112publ96/pdf/PLAW-112publ96.pdf 

Public safety information from NTIA 

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/category/public-safety 

Presenation by Anna Gomez on the NPSBN legislation 

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/ntia_publicsafety_presentation_04-26-12.pdf 

Emergency Management and Future Functionality Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tfnmhl- 

A54&feature=player_embedded 

NPSTC Public Safety Broadband Directory: http://www.npstc.org/broadbandDirectory.jsp 

Next Generation 9-1-1 

� Department of Transportation: http://www.its.dot.gov/ng911/ 

� National 9-1-1 Program: http://www.911.gov/ 

� Federal Communications Commission: http://www.fcc.gov/ 

� National 9-1-1 Education Coalition: http://www.know911.org/ 

� 9-1-1 Grant Program: http://www.911.gov/grants.html 

Page 9 of 13

ATTENDEE ROSTER 

SAFECOM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC) 





Name Organization 

Terry Hall 

Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials- International 

(APCO) 

Eddie Reyes International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 

Gary McCarraher International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) 

Timothy Loewenstein SAFECOM EC Vice Chair, National Association of Counties (NACo) 

Kevin McGinnis 

SAFECOM EC Chair, National Association of State EMS Officials 

(NASEMSO) 

Paul Patrick NASEMSO 

Michael Varney NCSWIC 

Mark Grubb NCSWIC 

Jimmy Gianato National Governors Association (NGA) 

Marilyn Ward National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) 

Steve Proctor Executive Director, UCAN 

Charles Werner Charlottesville, Virginia Fire Chief 

James Goldstein 

Government Relations, International Association of Fire Chiefs 

SAFECOM EMERGENCY RESPONSE COUNCIL (ERC) 

Name 

Association Members 

Organization 

Andrew Afflerbach Representative, NATOA 

Bruce Evans Deputy Chief, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District 

Christopher Lombard 

Lt. Communication/Special Operations, Interagency Board/Seattle Fire 

Department 

Philip Mann Traffic Operations Manager, APWA/ City of Gainesville 

Ferdinand Milanes Chief, Office of Radio Communications, Caltrans 

Lloyd Mitchell President, Forestry Conservation Communications Association 

Charlie Sasser 

Senior Officer- Spectrum Management, National Association of State 

Technology Director 

John Sweeney Chief Deputy Sherriff, Onedia Count Sheriff’s Office 

Robert Symons SWIC, WY Public Safety Communications Commission 

Paul Szoc Deputy Fire Chief, International Municipal Signal Association 

Mallorie Teubner 

Director, Information Sharing Programs, SEARCH, National 

Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics 

Public Safety At-Large Members 

Anthony Catalanotto Captain, FDNY (New York) 

Leonard Edling Chief, Merrionette Park Fire Department (Illinois) 

Jay Kopstein Co-Chair, Communications and Interoperability Working Group, NYS 

Div of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (New York) 

Michael Murphy Program Manager, Gulf States Regional Center for Public Safety 

(Louisiana) 

George Perera Lieutenant, Miami-Dade Police (Florida) 

Paul Roberts Captain, City of Boise Fire Department (Idaho) 

Page 10 of 13





Penny Rubow Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (Arkansas) 

Thomas Roche Chief of Police, Gates Police Department (New York) 

John Rogers Lieutenant, VA Search and Rescue (VA Task Force 1, Urban Search 

and Rescue) (Virginia) 

Donald Root Assistant Manager, Wireless Services, San Diego Sheriff’s Department 

Bob Symons Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (Wyoming) 

Stephen Verbil Emergency Telecommunications Manager, CT Office of Statewide 

Emergency Telecommunications (Connecticut) 

Brent Williams Communications Consultant, Michigan Department of Communication 

Health, EMS and Trauma (Michigan) 

Dan Wills Communications Coordinator, Arizona State Forestry 

NCSWIC 

Name 

NCSWIC Members 

State 

(All members are Statewide Interoperability Coordinators, unless otherwise noted) 

*Denotes NCSWIC EC Member 

Charles Murph Alabama 

Justin Turner Arizona 

Penny Rubow* Arkansas 

Michael Crews California 

Pam Monsees Colorado 

Michael Varney* Connecticut 

Mark Grubb* Delaware 

Joshua Jack, CIO District of Columbia 

Gregory Holcomb Florida 

Nick Brown* Georgia 

Arnold Kishi Hawaii 

Darrin Terry 

Robert Hugi 

Idaho 

Joe Galvin Illinois 

Sarah Fay Indiana 

James Bogner* Iowa 

Scott Ekberg 

Kansas 

Jimmy Ellis 

Derek Nesselrode Kentucky 

Brant Mitchell Louisiana 

Steven Mallory Maine 

Lori Stone Maryland 

Brad Stoddard Michigan 

Thomas Johnson Minnesota 

Bryan Courtney 

Missouri 

Stephen Devine Missouri 

Warren Dupuis, Chief of Staff Montana 

Page 11 of 13





Robert Steadman Nebraska 

David Fein Nevada 

Jody Nestor* New Jersey 

Jacqueline Miller New Mexico 

Robert Barbato New York 

Brian Purvis North Carolina 

Michael Lynk North Dakota 

Darryl Anderson Ohio 

Nikki Cassingham Oklahoma 

Steve Noel* Oregon 

James Wrightstone Pennsylvania 

Felix Garcia Puerto Rico 

Michael Walsh Rhode Island 

Jeff Pierce South Dakota 

Todd Early Texas 

Kevin Rose Utah 

Michael Manning Vermont 

Chris McIntosh Virginia 

Doug Mah, SIEC Chair Washington 

GE McCabe West Virginia 

David Spenner* Wisconsin 

Bob Symons* Wyoming 

FEDERAL PARTNERS 

Name Organization 

Lance Johnson Department of Commerce (DOC) 

Dereck Orr DOC, Public Safety Communications Research Program (PSCR), 

National Institute of Technology 

Laura Pettus DOC, Public Safety Grants 

Michael Locatis, Toby Lux Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Cybersecurity and 

Communications (CS&C) 

Richard Andreano, Ralph 

Barnett, Ken Born, Kenneth 

Bradley, Chris Essid, Dan 

Hawkins, Amanda Hilliard, 

Jim Jarvis, Tom Lawless, 

James Lundsted, John 

DHS, Office of Emergency Communications 

McLean, Ross Merlin, 

Robert Pederson, Richard 

Reed, Bruce Richter, Dusty 

Rhodes, Christopher Tuttle, 

Adrienne Werner 

Michel Pawlowski DHS, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

Dennis Fisher DHS, FEMA, Regional Emergency Communications 

Page 12 of 13





Brian Carney DHS, FEMA, Communications Integration Branch 

Carolyn Dunn DHS, FEMA, Grants Program Directorate 

Dr. David Boyd DHS, Office for Interoperability & Compatibility 

Page 13 of 13

SAFECOM-NCSWIC Joint Session Executive Summary

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