Overview of the
Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee
Governor Huntsman recently issued an Executive Order creating the Utah State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC). The committee is charged with creating a vision and strategy for the future of interoperable communications in the State of Utah.
The State of Utah has been recognized nationally for its interoperable communications capabilities. It can further enhance those capabilities by leveraging existing infrastructure and resources and potentially new technologies to create an interoperable voice and data network that supports vital public safety services throughout the State. Developing interoperable services requires a high level of coordination between state and local governments providing these services. Local governments play a critical role in formulating a successful interoperability strategy.
Today, emergency incidents increasingly require a high level of multi-agency and multifunctional response by emergency service providers. A growing number of acts of domestic terrorism, civil disturbance, youth violence, and natural disasters have demonstrated the need for local, state, federal, and tribal public safety providers to better coordinate their efforts at the scene of an incident. In many instances, responding to such incidents is a new experience for all involved.
The problems associated with the lack of coordination and partnerships in the public safety community cross all jurisdictional boundaries. For example, routine law enforcement activities, such as narcotics investigations, generally require participation by multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Naturally, these situations require agencies to work together to ensure that information exchange, whether by voice communications or data communications, is available to assist public safety in performing its critical missions.
Statewide Interoperability Plan
Statewide communications interoperability plans (SCIPs) are a critical step in achieving communications interoperability not only within each state, but also across the country. A well-defined statewide plan identifies key long-term and short-term strategic initiatives for the state to improve communications interoperability. In addition, the statewide plan is a mechanism to align emergency responders at all levels in the state on a future vision for communications interoperability. Further, it serves as a roadmap for all agencies and jurisdictions in terms of the direction for moving forward and addressing communications interoperability issues at the local and regional level.
The SIEC is charged with developing a SCIP to be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security in September 2007. This will be a significant step in coordinating interoperability activities across with agencies across the State.
Interoperability Strategy
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has established the Communications Interoperability Continuum (page 2). It is designed to help the emergency response community and local, tribal, state, and federal policy makers address critical elements for success as they plan and implement interoperability solutions. The Continuum depicts the core facets of interoperability according to the general communications needs and challenges of the emergency response community. The elements of interoperability defined in the Continuum include governance, SOPs, technology, training and exercises, and usage. Because the elements of the Continuum are interdependent, progress in all aspects of interoperability is essential.
Governance
Governance refers to establishing a shared vision and collaborative decision-making process that support interoperability efforts to improve communication, coordination, and cooperation across disciplines and jurisdictions.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
SOPs are the formal written instructions for incident response that enable responders to act in a coordinated fashion across disciplines and jurisdictions.
Technology
Technology is the networking infrastructure, equipment, and applications that emergency response disciplines use to exchange critical information when responding to incidents. This includes land mobile radios, the infrastructure that supports them, and other communications devices such as satellite phones.
Training and Exercises
Training is the instructional support designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to implement and operate a successful interoperability solution. This includes operating equipment and procedures.
Usage
Usage refers to how often a community uses and engages in interoperable communications across disciplinary and jurisdictional lines.
It has become increasingly clear to the emergency response community that communications and interoperability will only be solved through collaboration. An ongoing partnership among local, state, tribal, and Federal emergency response organizations is critical. In addition, a truly effective and interoperable communications system requires a clear and compelling statewide strategy focused on increasing emergency response effectiveness and coordination across all related organizations and jurisdictions. To gain this type of required coordination, the statewide strategy must be driven by local emergency response organizations and officials. The SIEC was established to coordinate these activities.