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Public Safety Final 1-15-10 -   3.5 - Statewide Response-Level Communications

 
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Final GMAP Reports > 4. Public Safety > Public Safety Final 1-15-10 > 3. Emergency Readiness > 3.5 - Statewide Response-Level Communications
 

3.5 - Statewide Response-Level Communications

Are we making progress in improving statewide interoperability?
 
 

 Statewide Assessment - Interoperability Score Card
Data Notes

Data Source:

Washington State Patrol

Measure Definition: 

 

 

 Achieve “Response Level Communications” within one hour for all emergency events.  By accomplishing the steps as outlined in the Interoperability Continuum, agencies in Washington State will be highly prepared to meet this measure.  Response level emergency communication refers to the capacity of individuals with primary operational leadership responsibility to manage resources and timely decisions during an incident involving multiple agencies, without technical or procedural impediments.

Target Rationale: 

 

 

 The National Emergency Communications Plan calls for 75% of non-UASI jurisdictions to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies and by 2013, 75% of all jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours, in the event of a significant incident as outlined in national planning scenarios.
Link to Agency Strategic Plan: WSP Priority 4.3
Relevance:  National Goal prescribed by the Department of Homeland Security

Notes:

 

 

 The technology line tracks both data and voice.

State agencies have not yet been measured but are expected to be generally reflective of the average rankings of the state's Homeland Security Regions.

Also Available
Action Plan:  Yes
Extended Analysis:  Yes

 Drill Down Measures

 Summary Analysis
  • State Target is a score of 5.  Currently the state overall rating is 3.2.
  • Although state agencies continue to lag behind in making progress toward a move to P25 open standards technologies, both the Department of Transportation and the Washington State Patrol are currently participating in pilot projects previously approved by the SIEC to begin evaluation of P25 technology.
  • The interoperable sharing of wireless data continues to lag behind interoperability of voice communications.  Agencies in the greater Puget Sound region are jointly reviewing the possibilities of seeing a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission for 700 Mhz. "D" block radio spectrum to develop a broadband technology to serve the data needs of public safety agencies.  Such a system could be the foundation upon which a larger statewide system could integrate with, at a future date.  Staff will be following the region's efforts very closely.   
  • The state's 2008 Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) has been and continues to be utilized to assist regional areas in furthering progress along the Interoperability Continuum.  As a result, regional governance and other collaborative regional planning efforts have begun to take shape and are making progress that will affect regional score measurements during the next reporting period.  Planning is well underway to hold statewide interoperability summits in Spokane on March 31, 2010 and in SeaTac on April 13, 2010.

    Click here to find out how scoring was determined.

 
Extended Analysis and Action Plan