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What's New Archive 2015

Get Yourself to CITIG 9

Plans are in full swing to present the best workshop yet! We have secured a great list of speakers for the Ninth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Nine from November 29 to December 2, 2014 in Toronto, and our full agenda is in circulation. The event will sell out so the time is now to finalize your plans. Of note:

  • The discounted room rate at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel is being held untilNovember 2, 2015 (prices are not guaranteed after this date)
  • Air Canada is offering a 10% discount on Flex fares or higher for delegates travelling to this event.  To take advantage of this discount please book your flight at aircanada.com and enter the Promotion Code TTPBKTU1 in the search panel.
  • The nomination deadline for the 2015 CITIG National Awards for Public Safety Interoperability to be presented at the Ninth Annual Workshop is November 14, 2015. Visithttp://www.citig.ca/award.aspx for complete details, including the easy- and quick-to-complete on-line form to nominate a “difference-maker” today.
  • Our popular SNAPSHOT Session is back. Are you keen to participate? It’s easy. Simply visitwww.citig.ca/snapshot.aspx to download the SNAPSHOT template and submit your name on line to be considered.

Limited exhibit spaces and sponsorship opportunities are still available. This event will sell out, so don't miss out. Visit our event page at www.citig.ca

Last Chance to Register for the APCO Canada & NENA 2015 Conference

CITIG is proud to be involved in the APCO Canada & NENA 2015 Conference in Niagara Falls, from November 2 to 5, 2015. This “must attend” event has a stellar line-ups of speakers and sessions. Visit http://www.apco.ca/conferences_e.html for details. Register today and use the promo code LAST-CHANCE to save $100!

International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation

As announced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Chicago from October 24 to 26, 2015, international partners (including the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science) established the International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation. As the International Forum grows, it will serve as a forum to discuss shared first responder capability gaps, provide a platform for collaboration on R&D initiatives and solutions, characterize global first responder markets, and educate first responders about available technology. A clearly defined list of common capability gaps, along with a true understanding of the global market will provide the international first responder community a greater voice and will help motivate industry to create advanced technologies for first responders and deliver them at afford-able prices. Visit the Web site and download a fact sheet athttp://www.dhs.gov/publication/international-forum-advance-first-responder-innovation.

Draft Agenda Released for CITIG 9

The Ninth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Nine, is around the corner (from November 29 to December 2, 2014 in Toronto), and our full agenda is now available for broad distribution. Download ithere. Speakers include:

  • Retired OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis, C.O.M. speaking about leadership in complex times
  • FirstNet’s TJ Kennedy on Linking Nations: FirstNet and the Canadian Public Safety Broadband Network
  • Assistant Deputy Minister Stephen Beckett on interoperability in Ontario
  • NENA’s Trey Forgety and NPSTC’s Barry Luketalking about what the future may hold for NG9-1-1 and Public Safety Broadband
  • From Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Jon Barrand Steve Stein will explore the First Responder of the Future
  • A case study look at the “Ottawa Shootings” and “Saskatchewan Wild Fire Response”
  • Updates and special guest speakers on key issues such as Next Generation 9-1-1, public safety broadband, cross-border interoperability, body-worn video, remotely piloted air systems and mobile public alerting
  • And a few more surprises to come!

A special thank you to Axon Public Safety Canada who join Motorola and Harris as platinum sponsors of our flagship event. Limited exhibit spaces and sponsorship opportunities are still available. This event will sell out, so don't miss out! 

Industry Canada Releases Bulletin on Interoperability Channels Available along U.S./Canadian Border

One of the tasks defined under the Communications Interoperability Action Plan for Canada is the identification of cross-border interoperability channels that are available nationwide and along the Canada-US border. Industry Canada was designated as the coordinator for this task. Throughout the years, Industry Canada has identified interoperability channels in various frequency bands. This technical bulletin provides a detailed list of the interoperability channels identified in the bands 220 MHz, 700 MHz, and 800 MHz. These interoperability channels can be used nationwide in Canada and, where specified, for Canada-US interoperability operations. Download your copyhere.

Cross Border White Paper Report Released

CITIG and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) are pleased to announce the publication of their Cross Border Communications Report:  Barriers, Opportunities, and Solutions for Border Area Emergency Responders, a comprehensive study of cross border public safety communications at the local first responder level. The report is designed to clarify legal and regulatory policies, identify best practices and examples of interoperability excellence, and advance specific recommendations to enhance public safety communications at the national border.

See CITIG’s new Cross Border page to download the report, join the cross border working group and access a variety of documents.

Speakers Announced for CITIG 9

The Ninth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Nine, is around the corner, and our full agenda is nearly ready for broad distribution. We are compiling a great line-up and can confirm the following speakers:

  • Retired OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis, C.O.M. speaking about leadership in complex times
  • FirstNet’s TJ Kennedy on the public safety broadband efforts in the U.S.
  • Assistant Deputy Minister Stephen Beckett on interoperability in Ontario
  • A case study look at the “Ottawa Shootings” and “Saskatchewan Wild Fire Response”
  • Updates and special guest speakers on key issues such as Next Generation 9-1-1, public safety broadband and cross-border interoperability

Our flagship event occurs from November 29 to December 2, 2014 in Toronto. Limited exhibit spaces and sponsorship opportunities are still available. This event will sell out, so don't miss out. Visit our event page

Have Your Say on NG 9-1-1

Canada’s 9-1-1 system will undergo significant changes over the next few years as it evolves beyond traditional voice 9-1-1 networks that have been in place for decades. These advancements are referred to as Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1. We need your input to get a sense of current status with NG 9-1-1 across Canada, and obtain possible future vision for how NG 9-1-1 can roll out.

Help us help your jurisdiction by completing a short survey (about 15 minutes to complete). This survey was developed by the Canadian NG 9-1-1 Coalition. The Coalition is comprised of 9-1-1 experts and representatives at the provincial, territorial and municipal level across Canada.

To complete the survey, please click on one of the links below:

The deadline to complete the survey is September 15, 2015.

CITIG Receives Funding from the .CA Community Investment Program for NG 9-1-1 Development Forum

On May 28, 2015, the .CA Community Investment Program announced that CITIG would receive funding to implement a Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1 Development Forum. As a critical first step toward the development of a Canadian next-generation 9-1-1 strategy, this grant will permit CITIG to consult 9-1-1 stakeholders on the best way to organize those interested to ensure that there is a national organization that is able to bring a focus to 9-1-1 policy and technology issues. 

CITIG was one of 25 projects funded through the .CA Community Investment Program. Read the announcementhere. For a full listing of the projects, please visit cira.ca/cip.

Australia Releases Spectrum Review Report 

On May 22, the Australian government released a report on the future directions for spectrum management that outlines recommended changes to improve Australia's spectrum management framework. The Spectrum Review Report highlights the need to simplify the current framework to remove prescriptive regulatory arrangements and to support the use of new and innovative technologies and services across the economy. Download your copy here.

Get Yourself to CITIG 9!

Join us for Canada’s premiere communications interoperability event from November 29 to December 2, 2015 in Toronto. The Ninth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG Nine, will again break new ground on key voice and data interoperability issues facing today’s public safety sector.

Want to attend? This event sells out consistently, so secure your spot today! Want to be an exhibitor or sponsor? Download the Contribution & Exhibit Package. In either case, do it early — all past workshops have sold out! Full details on our Event Page.

UAS Workshop Fast Approaching

CITIG along with Unmanned Systems Canada, the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance and the Collaborative Centre for Justice and Safety at the University of Regina are cohosting Canada’s first ever National Public Safety and Emergency Management Operational Unmanned Air Systems Workshop. The Workshop will be held at the University of Regina on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11, 2015. Organizers are holding a Technology Demonstration Day on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. For details, see our event listing or visithttps://www.unmannedsystems.ca/content.php?doc=261.

DHS S&T Announces Winners of Innovation Prize Competition

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate today announced the winners of S&T’s first innovation prize competition: The Vreeland Institute, Inc., of Copake, N.Y., and Certa Cito, LLC, of Rochester, N.Y. The competition, “Indoor Tracking of the Next Generation First Responders” focused on the challenge of keeping track of first responders when they are inside buildings, tunnels and other structures. Read the full S&T Press Release.

Underwriters Laboratories Seeking Input on Video

Underwriters Laboratories Seeks PS Input on Performance Standard for Video Systems Used by Public Safety.  At the request of the public safety community, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has begun development of a performance standard for tactical (e.g., hand-deployed, covert placement, robot-mounted) and operational (e.g., body-worn) video camera systems.  UL is seeking input from end users to determine needs and requirements:  who uses which systems, when and how they are typically used, and what features are used. UL would appreciate your completing a questionnaire using the link below by June 30: www.surveymonkey.com/s/tacticalcamera

Tri-Services Applaud Federal Budget Announcement on Broadband Spectrum and Funding

On April 21, the Government of Canada announced that a full 20 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum will be designated for public safety broadband use, and that $3 million will be provided to take initial steps to establish a Public Safety Broadband Network for responders and public safety partners (see full announcement here). In response, the tri-services chiefs associations issued a joint media release expressing their appreciation. CITIG would like to thank all who made this announcement possible.

UAS Workshop Announced! 

CITIG along with Unmanned Systems Canada, the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance and the Collaborative Centre for Justice and Safety at the University of Regina are extremely pleased to announce Canada’s first ever National Public Safety and Emergency Management Operational Unmanned Air Systems Workshop. The Workshop will be held at the University of Regina on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11, 2015. Organizers are holding a Technology Demonstration Day on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. For details, see our event listing or visithttps://www.unmannedsystems.ca/content.php?doc=261.

CITIG Municipality of Kincardine and Town of Saugeen Shores Regional Forum

On April 21, 2015 in Port Elgin, Ontario, join us for a very special event hosted by the Municipality of Kincardine and the Town of Saugeen Shores and area Paramedic, Fire and Police agencies in partnership with CITIG. The CITIG Municipality of Kincardine and Town of Saugeen Shores Regional Forum is open to all who are interested in furthering public safety communications interoperability in the region. See our event listing for complete details.

DHS S&T Launches Prize Competition for Tracking First Responders Indoors

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced the Department’s first crowdsourced prize competition in support of the nation’s first responder community.

The “Indoor Tracking of the Next Generation First Responder” prize competition seeks innovative ideas for solving the challenges of real-time, accurate indoor tracking of first responders during an incident. S&T is looking for innovate solutions that will help first responders with basic questions such as “where am I?” and “where is my team?”

This challenge is further exacerbated if radio communications are poor or non-existent. S&T is leveraging the benefits of crowdsourcing through this prize competition to gather innovative ideas for solving this complex, mission-critical problem. Proposed solutions should be personalized, modular and scalable, as well as employ current and emerging technologies, sensors and techniques. Winning solutions will receive a first place award of $20,000 and a second place award of $5,000. The open period for submissions is from March 3, 2015 to April 2, 2015.

To submit ideas, the public can register athttps://www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9933726. Winning submissions may be selected for development and operational use.

Australian Report Provides Roadmap for Public Safety Broadband Data

In October 2014, the State of Victoria in Australia launched its Long Term Emergency Management Communications Plan (LTEMCP) to guide investment to 2025. The aims of the Plan are to:

  • Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets
  • Consolidation of existing networks to single voice and narrowband data network
  • The state-wide broadband data footprint will meet public safety grade standards.
  • Paging services transitioned onto the broadband or narrowband data networks.

A copy of the Plan can be found at the following link. This document is one of the first that sets a Roadmap clearly showing the separation of mission critical narrow band voice (P25) from broadband data well past 2020.

Smart Firefighting Workshop Summary Report

Download your copy of the Smart Firefighting Workshop Summary Report that summarizes the results of the Smart Firefighting Workshop held on March 24 and 25, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia and sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Workshop provided a forum to help identify and understand the R&D needs for implementation of smart firefighting, highlighting use of existing technologies, development and deployment of emerging technologies including cyber-physical systems (CPS), and use of standards for data collection, exchange, and situational awareness tools. The workshop brought together experts from various industry, educational, and governmental organizations involved in the cyber physical systems and firefighting areas. 

Last Chance to Attend the National Public Alerting Summit

Emergency Management Leaders will convene in Edmonton, Alberta on February 17 and 18 to discuss trends and developments in public alerting. The discussion takes place at the CATAAlliance National Public Alerting Summit and it will feature a keynote address by Mr. Peter Menzies, Vice Chair, CRTC. Last year, the CRTC issued an extensive decision that included provisions requiring the mandatory distribution of emergency alert messages.

Space is filling quickly. Register today at http://cata.ca/Media_and_Events/NationalPublicAlertingSummit/default.html

NPSTC Needs Your Input on LED Lighting Interference - Questionnaire Closes on February 13

NPSTC has been monitoring reports of interference from LED and fluorescent lighting system ballasts which have caused disruption to public safety land mobile radio systems. If you have experienced a problem with interference due to LED lighting or other lighting systems, please complete this questionnaire.  If you know of any agency that has experienced this problem, please forward this questionnaire to them.

In 2013, the FCC issued an order directing one manufacturer to make some changes to their LED lighting transformers after complaints were received about interference.   More recently, some public safety agencies have reported interference from LED lights installed on agency radio towers, from fluorescent lighting installed at an incident command post, and from commercial buildings with large lighting systems.  NPSTC has created this questionnaire to gather additional information from public safety agencies on the extent of these problems. 

Information from the questionnaire will be reviewed to see if NPSTC should petition the FCC to update existing rules that govern the use of these lighting systems and similar electronics.  NPSTC is also working with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which has reported such interference to amateur communications.

The LED Interference Questionnaire will be open until Friday, February 13, 2015. We appreciate your attention to this survey. We will provide you with a copy of the results once they are compiled.

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