National Communications System NCS ESF 2 Training Conference ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS

1. National Communications System (NCS)ESF #2 Training ConferenceALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS

2. Alternative Communications PART-15.ORG Chairman, PART-15.ORG Katrina Support FCC PDQLink CIO/CTO Personal Old and Experienced

3. Alternative Communications PART-15.ORG Executive Summary The training to be provided is based on everyday use of overlooked communications assets and technologies, e.g., unlicensed spectrum and 4.9GHz to provide mobile voice, video, and data in support of public safety The Need Traditional forms of communications remain plagued with operability and interoperability issues. This training provides a successful, proven alternative to standard emergency communications relief efforts by using off-the-shelf technologies. Training is vendor and technology neutral providing unbiased, field experienced opinions and recommendations by using a “Lessons-Learned” teaching approach. The unique capabilities of alternative communications provide for solutions to out-dated plans, policies and procedures. These alternative communications resources are limited only by the imagination of the responder

4. Alternative Communications Our Objective Today Broaden Our Minds Why Alternative Communications Another Tool in the box… Fixed and Mobile Hand-Held, Reliable and Secure Voice, Video, and Data Immediately Deployable

5. Alternative Communications Non-Attribution Disclaimer What works for them, may not work for you Distances Vary Throughput Varies Quality of Service Varies Equipment Variations Same Are Better Than Others RF Environment Over 2.5 million customers of WISP services would disagree with your concerns of Interference Must move past the “Marketing Hype” to be Successful

6. Alternative Communications Pringle Can (Past) Designed for Indoor Use Short Range Limited Security (WEP) 2-5 Connections Work Well Professional (Present) Designed for Outdoor Use Short and Long Range (100 miles) AES/DES and Beyond 1,000+ Connections Work Well

7. Alternative Communications Lessons Learned Katrina/Rita Nothing Else Available Imminent Need Rapid Deployment Long Range, Interoperable Voice, Video and Data

8. Alternative Communications Spectrum Availability Licensed STA’s (Special Temporary Authority) FCC Immediate Response Special Circumstances A phone call will do… License Exempt No FCC Approval Required Inexpensive Readily Available Rapid Deployment Voice, Video and Data

9. Alternative Communications Long Distance – Backhaul Up to 100 Mbps at 100 Miles * * * (Sometimes) – All IP Traffic (Can you say “interoperability?) Local Area Voice 1,000 VoIP Call per hour (in and out) Video Unmanned Monitoring Data Database Personnel Equipment

10. Alternative Communications Misunderstandings about Wireless Insecure Not Anymore Interference Not Anymore Reliability Over 2.5 million customers of WISP services would disagree with your concerns

11. Alternative Communications Pro Immediately Deployable Inexpensive Con Interference

12. Alternative Communications The Need Intra/Inter Communications Voice, Video, Data Federal - State, and State - Local EOC to EOC (Multiple Command Centers Over a Large Area) Search and Rescue Medical Teams Shelter to Shelter Staging Point to Staging Point Entry Point to Entry Point Stay Off the Air IP Traffic Frees Up Vital Radio Time Normal Emergency Communication Mode

13. Alternative Communications The Need Federal - State Everyday it’s done this way now Personnel and Equipment Asset Management Coordination and Information Sharing Continual and immediate updates

14. Alternative Communications The Need EOC to EOC (Multiple EOCs Over a Large Area) EOC to Staging Areas EOC to Entry Points EOC to Medical EOC to Fire EOC to Police EOC to Shelters EOC to Logistics

15. Alternative Communications The Need Search and Rescue House by House Search Completion Data PDAs Provide Immediate Database (Excel) Updates to EOC Most PDAs Have Built-in Cameras PDAs Cameras Provide Immediate Uploading of Photos to EOCs for Archiving and Overall Damage Assessment

16. Alternative Communications The Need Medical Teams Immediate Data and Photo Updates to Emergency Room Centers (Fixed or Mobile) Laptop and PDAs Provide Direct Field Responder to Doctor Communications Diagnosis Patient Data Treatment Patient Injury Photos

17. Alternative Communications The Need Shelter to Shelter Overflow Needs Asset Management Too Much in One Location and Not Enough in Another Registration Management Immediate Location of Personnel and Assets Victim – Family Communications Relieves “normal” communications congestions

18. Alternative Communications The Need Staging Points Database Management Assets Deployment Orders Provides a more clear understanding over voice tasking

19. Alternative Communications The Need Entry Points Photo Verification Immediate Access Control Updates

20. Alternative Communications

21. Alternative Communications

22. Alternative Communications

23. Alternative Communications Voice Up to 1,000 VoIP Calls per Hour Soft-Phone Skype SIP Phone Desktop Hand-Held Dual Port ATA Voice and FAX

24. Alternative Communications Video Remote IP Camera Entry Points Damage Assessment Personnel Alternative

25. Alternative Communications Data Database Management Communications Email, Instant Messaging Readily Available “Off-the-Shelf” Technology Laptops with built-in Wi-Fi PDAs Web-Cams

26. Alternative Communications PDAs – Off the Shelf Technology IS Available and Reliable Responders and staff can carry PDAs that offer Data, VoIP, Video, Cell Phone, and normal “Office” software, such as Databases, Word Documents, and Spreadsheets Duty Rosters and Schedules, Operational Instructions (OI’s), Technical Manuals, Personnel Rosters

27. Alternative Communications In disasters, communication difficulties are often hard to separate from coordination difficulties, and the greatest coordination difficulties are inter-organizational. Therefore, many of the communications problems are those related to information sharing. Frequently, the means for communication exists, but mostly overlooked or unfamiliar and therefore reluctant to communicate with others using alternative methods. Everyone Uses IP Traffic In Everyday Use

28. Alternative Communications Inter-organizational communication is fostered by those factors which promote trust in other organizations and familiarity with how they function. These include: informal contacts, joint planning and training, preplanned agreements for the division of disaster responsibilities, and the use of similar terminology, procedures, and performance criteria. Inter-organizational radio networks, common mapping systems, and computer networks also contribute to effective communications.

29. Alternative Communications PRINCIPLE Those who work together well on a daily basis tend to work together well in disasters The Importance of “Pre-Incident" Communications Development of Trust Resolution of Political, Personal, and Jurisdictional Disputes Knowledge of How Each Other Functions Knowledge About Routine Functions Knowledge About Preplanned Disaster Functions Standardization Joint Planning and Training Importance of Informal Contacts/MOUs

30. Alternative Communications There are advantages to these overlooked assets that are applicable to inter-organizational disaster communications. One of the values of a prearranged regional or state-wide “MOU" is that it can even facilitate rapid response. Not only does a “MOU" allow resources to report their presence to those coordinating incident operations, but it can also be used to obtain essential initial information, such as: Are they, in fact, needed? (If not, they can be instructed to abort any planned response.) Where are they to report? How do they get to the check-in area? Are there any hazards that might be encountered en route? Are they to switch to another radio frequency for further communication?

31. Alternative Communications PLANNING CHECKPOINTS Does your disaster training program familiarize the members of various organizations with Alternative Communications? Do the organizations in your area have joint training sessions that deal with the common aspects of using Alternative Communications disaster response? Have the emergency organizations in your area adopted standard terminology and procedures? Has your area established inter-agency Alternative communications networks? Are your agencies' radio systems protected against disruption from common disaster agents? Are back-up to back-up precautions provided for the communications equipment of local commercial WISPs?

32. Alternative Communications FACT: All EOC’s have a Communications Representative on their staff as part of their organizational chart FACT: More than one private Communications company is operating in the Disaster Area FACT: Civilian representatives from government vendors will be on-hand to help FACT: All of these communications industry representatives can not possibly fit nor be wanted in the EOC

33. Alternative Communications FACT: All EOC’s have a Communications Representative on their staff as part of their organizational chart. Standard operating procedures, put a government communications representative to manage all communications factors for the OEM Should be in charge of ALL communications needs: Existing “Normal” Communications Modes Additional Local Amateur Radio Operators Local Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)

34. Alternative Communications FACT: More than one Private Communications Company is Operating in the Disaster Area. Example: Landline, Cellular, Paging, Broadcast, WISPs, Satellite, Cable, etc. Dual Interests: Primary – Help with Emergency Response, Secondary – Get Company Assets Operational NOTE: Most of the time, the communications needs of the responding agencies can be solved by fostering the interests of private communications company. DO NOT DISCRIMINATE – ALL ARE IMPORTANT

35. Alternative Communications FACT: Civilian Representatives from Government Vendors will be on-hand to help. e.g. If the agency is using Motorola radios, Motorola representatives will be on-hand to fulfill any needs that may arise. MA / COM CISCO Etc. Suggestion: They are all needed but not enough room for everyone.

36. Alternative Communications FACT: All of these communications industry representatives can not possibly fit nor be wanted in the EOC. Simply not enough room in the EOC Many EOCs are a room of approx 15 x 25 feet (board room style) Adds to background “chatter” Too many people talking at one time Suggestion: Separate All Non-Governmental Communications Folks Into a Collocated Area

37. Alternative Communications OEM Communications Some Cool And Cost Saving Things You Could Be Doing

38. Alternative Communications Wireless Remote PBX System Redline Communications AN-30e Simultaneous IP and TDM Traffic Up to 8 T1/E1 Full and Fractional (nx64) TDM Ports DFS and ATPC

39. Alternative Communications Statewide Fixed Landline PBX System State Level Asterisk Server Be Your Own VoIP Provider (Vonage, Packet8, etc.) Buy or Build Your Own (FREE) - Asterisks Server Regular Ole Computer PSTN Lines (Normal Phone Lines) Distribution System = Broadband (Mostly already in place) Why COST, COST, COST – One Time Cost v. Recurring Telco Charges Schools Have Been Doing It For Years

40. Alternative Communications

41. Alternative Communications

42. Alternative Communications iPhone Phone WiFi Browser (Google Maps Included) Email Text Messaging

43. Alternative Communications They Already Know What the equipment can and can not do The RF environment situation They aren’t trying to “sell” you something All reports agree Elevate the IT sections in your OEM Communications Divisions Add Alternative Communications Solutions Armature Radio Operators are there and extremely useful Limited in capabilities

44. Alternative Communications Just Like Everything Else In Life Most are Very Good At What They Do Some are Not So Good Industry Standards PART-15.ORG - Central, Single Point of Contact Provides a ‘faster” response - No land lines needed Flooding has no effect WISP Volunteers - OEMs Loss of Power has little effect Most systems are 12 volt (Car Batteries and small Solar panels)

45. Alternative Communications Communications “Stake-Holders” are Emergency Responders All Reports and Analysis reveal Comm Folks (civilian and government) are 1st Responders More Information chairman@part-15.org www.part-15.org

46. Alternative Communications Emergency Response Guide to Alternative Communications One Day Seminar Usually at State or County Level Train the Trainer Checklist Inclusion Emergency Communications Discussion Forum www.oescom.com/forum Federal State Local Tribal Vendor Service Providers

47. Alternative Communications Single POC Maintains a database of WISPs Service Areas Equipment On-hand Level of Expertise Maintains a database of WISPs Service Areas Equipment On-hand Vendor and Technology Neutral Better for us to call the vendor for your needs Harder for vendor to sell us something that will not fill the need Consulting Plans, policies and procedures Equipment Selection

48. Alternative Communications Photo Op Tells the story

49. Alternative Communications

50. Alternative Communications