Developing parallel communication systems (1 June 2004)
Developing parallel communication systems
June 1, 2004
By Bill Pessemier
The city of Charlottesville has learned that its primary communications systems may not be, and most likely are not, enough to handle the avalanche of communications that occur during an unusual or catastrophic event. This was demonstrated in other locales during the Salt Lake City Olympics, the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, and the Space Shuttle Columbia crash. Therefore, Charlottesville has several layers within its communications system.
“We link the Nextel walkie-talkie (push to talk) to our fire service radio systems, creating a network that can work in parallel to our public safety primary system. In reality this enables us to use Nextel’s iDEN 800 MHZ radio infrastructure independently for logistical communications as well as interfaced with our public safety system. It is tied to several interoperability talk groups on the public safety 800 radio system,” says Deputy Chief Charles Werner of the Charlottesville Fire Department. The overarching benefits received from this public-private interface allows Charlottesville to expand its interoperability efforts beyond public safety to other key organizations such as public works, transit, transportation, health department, medical centers, mutual aid dispatch centers, etc., without any real effort.
Developing community support
Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Charlottesville’s community leaders requested information on interoperability and the development of a regional interoperable network. Werner, who had already been working on advancing interoperability within the fire service, took the lead on the project.
Werner met with chiefs within his department, then with other chiefs within other community agencies. His goal was to communicate the value of an interoperable communications system and then create awareness of the options and solutions. Once there was buy-in by various agencies, Werner migrated to working with the chief’s designates in other community agencies.
System development
After determining needs, Werner set up the system for the fire service. The department researched its communication strategies through active participation in various committees supporting interoperability. “That’s where I heard that Nextel offered a radio system with enhanced functionality,” said Werner. Working with vendors was key to awareness as well as accessing information and facilitating successful demonstrations.
“We had outstanding support from the vendor to resolve functionality and provide training with phones. Demo phones in the right places also helped immensely. The vendor support was and is key to the success of such a program,” said Werner.
The fire department communicated with other community agencies as the system was deployed to be sure it was developed in a manner that could be shared. Successes were referenced from other locations and the value to emergency preparedness and interoperable communications was regularly conveyed. The fact that the Nextel walkie-talkies are not on the public telephone switch was important to various constituencies. The process took about a year to develop and implement within the fire service, and continues to be rolled out to various agencies today.
A parallel system
Nextel has provided an invaluable communications tool and helped Charlottesville overcome radio interference issues. It has also provided a redundancy. The Charlottesville Fire Department has created unique and effective interoperability among other public safety agencies, across political jurisdictions and to critical non-public safety agencies (public works, schools, health and medical, transportation, etc.).
The department’s communication funding comes primarily from the city budget. However, the department received a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, part of which will be used to implement an interface with a new Motorola 800 MHz primary radio system.
“The system is working phenomenally. And it will be even greater when tied into our new primary Motorola system. I have never had such flexibility and effectiveness. While out of town, I have been able to communicate with various agencies, resolve problems, communicate to incident commanders and alert other city departments,” said Werner. It has also enhanced communication at special events (football games with 60,000+ in attendance, etc.)
The Nextel system fit within budget constraints because it replaced existing wireless devices. Expenses are comparable to other communication options that Charlottesville has used or investigated. “We feel we get more value due to the added capacity of the handsets,” said Werner.
Interagency/interdisciplinary communications
Charlottesville is creating an 800 MHZ trunked P25 public safety radio system with Motorola equipment that will achieve 100 percent interoperability among all public safety agencies within the region (fire, ems, law enforcement, jail, airport, etc.), which includes the city of Charlottesville, County of Albemarle and the University of Virginia. Coupled with the parallel Nextel system, they have a dynamic communications strategy.
Charlottesville will be implementing voice-over IP (costing about $15,000) with the new primary radio system to reach out and communicate with anyone in the world who has an Internet connection. Charlottesville will be able to take advantage of specialists worldwide for future attacks that cannot be anticipated today.
To address interoperability demands further and to support efforts with outside agencies at the tactical level, Charlottesville is deploying four interoperability boxes (two ACU 1000s and two ICRI boxes) in the field. These will also link back to the public safety radio systems.
The last level includes situational awareness across disciplines through the use of WebEOC. This is a password-protected software application that is accessible via a Web browser and allows agencies to see activities/requests placed on them as well as other agencies. WebEOC gives everyone a better view of the big picture. Charlottesville is also working with Capital Wireless Integrated Network to link their operation.
“Where I see the key value to Nextel is in the development of systems that combine the use of Nextel phones to interface with legacy radio systems and utilize applications that enhance our ability to communicate during events,” said Werner.
Next steps
After interfacing with the new Motorola primary system, Werner plans to develop an interoperability directory for the community. The directory will provide information for first responders about associates in various departments. Werner also plans to develop a formalized interoperability communications strategy for the region. “Proper planning and operational procedures are needed since everyone can talk at the same time leading to chaos if uncontrolled,” said Werner. “We must rethink our methods of communicating as well as the purchase of any new interoperable communications tool.”
Bill Pessemier is IAFC’s executive communications systems advisor. He recently retired as chief of the Littleton (Colo.) Fire Department. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. He can be reached at bpessemier@iafc.org.
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