State of Connecticut I-CALL / I-TAC Interoperability Training Program

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State of Connecticut I-CALL / I-TAC
Interoperability Training Program
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Introduction

• Dept. of Public Safety
• Office of Policy and Management
• Department of Military
• Department of Emergency Management Homeland
  Security (DEMHS)
• Department of Emergency Management and Homeland
  Security (DEMHS) Radio System Interoperability
  Committee

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Interoperability CommitteeConnecticut I-CALL
I-TAC plan has been endorsed by

• Dept. of Public Safety
• CT Fire Chiefs Association
• CT Police Chiefs Association
• Dept. of Public Health
• Dept. of Environmental Protection

• Office of Policy and Management
• Dept of Military
• Department of Emergency Management Homeland
  Security
• Dept. of Information Technology
• Dept. of Transportation

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Program Overview

• National I-CALL / I-TAC Common Channel Mutual Aid
  Radio System
• CT. Department of Emergency Management and
  Homeland Security Interoperability Plan
• Activation and Deactivation of the Repeater
  System
• Terminology and Radio Equipment
• Maintenance
• State Radio Equipment Contract
• Issuance of Radios and Equipment

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Goals of Committee

• Identified need and short term solution
• Assembled committee
• Prioritized users of system based on function
• Developed specifications for portable radios
• Deliver portable training and equipment
• Deliver control station training and equipment
• Prioritizing next steps
• other users requiring radio equipment and
  development of communication strategy

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What is the I-Call / I-Tac System

• Statewide 800 MHz conventional radio system
  designated for multi agency interoperability
  communications
• National plan governed by the FCC rules and
  regulations.
• To be used for command and control radio
  communications at incidents requiring
  multi-agency and or multi-jurisdictional
  responses

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FCC Region 8 / Region 19 Public Safety Plan
Common Channel Policies and Procedures   The
Common Channel operation and implementation rules
for utilization of the Calling Channel, as well
as the for Tactical Channels, within the 821 MHz.
Frequency band follow below   1.      As used in
this document AGENCY refers to an FCC
Licensee.   2.     Shared use of channels by
multiple agency dictates that the least amount of
power and minimum coverage to achieve spectrum
efficiency be the guiding principles.   3.     Any
agency, or joint agencies, authorized under Part
90 of the FCC Rules and Regulations to operate
five or more 821 823/866 868 MHz channels is
required for each multiple of five to implement
National Mutual Aid (Common) Calling and Tactical
Channels in accordance with the Regional Plan,
i.e., Calling Channel, tone remote controlled,
repeater/base station with talk-around receive
and Tactical Channel, four channel frequency
selectable tone remote controlled, repeater/base
station with talk-around receive.   4.     In
order to accomplish the proper use of the Common
and Tactical Channels, the entity must also
implement the Calling Channel, or be joined into
a monitoring method of the Calling Channel,
within its area, for the express purpose of 1) to
respond to non-routine inquiries as defined in
paragraph 7, below, or 2) turning on its Tactical
Channel upon the request of a duly authorized
agent of the entity requiring its use.  
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5. It shall be the responsibility of
every licensee of a Calling or Tactical Channel
to keep its repeater function disabled at all
times other than when assigned for conducting a
given mission where wide-area repeater operation
is necessary. The Calling Channel shall be
monitored at all times by the licensee and shall
be used only to handle brief, itinerant traffic
and requests for use of a Tactical Channel for an
authorized, appropriate mission. The use of
talk-around shall be preferred over repeater
use where range limitations permit.   6.    Unless
incidental to an approved multi-agency mission,
the use of any of the Common Channels, whether
repeated or talk-around, for intra-agency
communications is prohibited. Use of any of the
Common Channels, whether repeated or
Direct/Talk-Around for routine or trivial uses,
even if inter-agency is also prohibited.   7.     
A given mission for Common Channel operation
shall be defined as use for non-routine
communications by agencies requiring
interoperability for inter-agency activities
only. Routine is defined as a normal
established method of message exchanging, i.e.,
frequent or regular use.   8.      Where one or
more agencies within, or subject to, a given
governmental entity - below the state level, has
an aggregate total of five or more channels of
821 823/866 868 MHz of spectrum, that entity
must bear the responsibility to implement and
maintain the Calling and Tactical Channels with
the area of operation of those systems.    
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Goals of Interoperability

• What is the problem?  Inability for emergency
  response agencies to communicate on a common
  frequency for coordination.
• What is interoperability?  It is the ability of
  public safety personnel in different agencies or
  jurisdictions to communicate with each other by
  radio on demand, in real time. It is necessary
  for a wide range of operations.

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Unified Command

• All involved agencies contribute to the process
  of developing overall incident objectives,
  selecting strategies, joint-planning of tactical
  activities, and integration of tactical
  operations.  

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Users of the System

• Municipal
• All CT Fire Departments
• All CT Police Departments
• All CT EMS Agencies
• All OEM Directors
• Federal Multi State
• New York, Mass, RI
• DHS (FEMA)
• DOJ (FBI / JTTF)

• State
• DPS
• DEMHS
• DEP
• DPH
• DOT
• USAR / DMAT
• State Fire Coordinators
• Decontamination Trailers

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Examples of use

• Interdepartmental Communications
• Many municipalities
• Municipality and several state agencies
• Mutual-aid responses to catastrophic accidents or
  disasters by many public safety agencies
• Multi Agency coordination to handle events like
  fires or vehicle chases
• Extended task force operations involving local,
  state, and federal agencies to address a public
  safety challenge (e.g., long-term disaster
  recovery, security for major events, large scale
  HazMat, rescue or searches).

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PRESENT DPS I-CALL/I-TAC REPEATER SYSTEM

• 34 Fixed Repeater Sites in CT
• 2 Multi channel repeaters at each site
• All 5 Channels operational on each repeater
• Separate I-Call receiver at each site

• All repeaters are controlled from the DPS Message
  Center
• (State Police Communications) at DPS HQ in
  Middletown
• Manned 24/7
• Telephone contact number
• 1-800-842-0200
• or
• 860-685-8190

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MUNICIPAL I-CALL/I-TAC REPEATER SYSTEMS

• WATERFORD
• WEST HARTFORD
• WETHERSFIELD

• GREENWICH
• HARTFORD (TALK AROUND)
• STAMFORD
• WATERBURY

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MASS DECON TRAILERS

• 34 BEING DEPLOYED STATEWIDE
• STANDALONE
• I-CALL / I-TAC REPEATER
• ALL 5 CHANNELS
• INDEPENDENT OF DPS SYSTEM

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COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TERMINOLOGYAND EQUIPMENT
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RADIO CONTROLS
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RADIO CONTROLS
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CHANNEL SCAN

• SCAN CONTROL
• ON OR OFF
• SCAN LIST IS FACTORY SET
• SCANS ALL CHANNELS
• SELECTED CHANNEL IS PRIORITY

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PORTABLE CHARGER

• 110 VOLT DESK TOP CHARGER
• AUTOMATIC CHARGER CONDITIONER
• RE-CONDITIONER
• CHARGES BATTERY WHILE INSTALLED ON PORTABLE

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CHARGES BATTERY ALONE
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I- TAC REPEATER ACTIVATION PROCEDUREANDDEACTIV
ATION PROCEDURE
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CONNECTICUT I-CALL / I-TAC INTEROPERABILITY
MUTUAL AID RADIO SYSTEM
UTILIZE DIRECT / TALK-AROUND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
WHEN POSSIBLE  
REPEATER ACTIVATION PROCEDURE UTILIZING THE
I-CALL CHANNEL   Upon arriving at the scene of an
incident and determining that use of the
Interoperability Mutual Aid Tactical channel
repeater(s) is required, the incident commander
shall use the I-CALL channel to request
activation of the repeater function of the
primary and / or the secondary tactical channels
for the area. This request will be made through
the DPS Communications Center in Middletown.  
CALL-IN LANGUAGE SHOULD BE AS FOLLOWS  
(RANK)(NAME) OF THE (ORGANIZATION) CALLING THE
DPS COMMUNICATIONS CENTER ON THE I-CALL CHANNEL
FROM (TOWN / CITY CALLING FROM) (PAUSE AND WAIT
FOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)   I AM REQUESTING
IMMEDIATE ACTIVATION OF A TACTICAL CHANNEL FOR
(TOWN/CITY CALLING FROM) FOR THE OPERATION AT
(INCIDENT TYPE) (PAUSE AND WAIT FOR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)   Upon acknowledgement by the
DPS Communications Center of the activation of
the requested I-TAC channel(s), the Incident
Commander shall respond as follows   I WILL BE
SWITCHING TO I-TAC CHANNEL (NUMBER) AND
ESTABLISHING INCIDENT COMMAND. (RANK)(NAME)
CLEAR ON I-CALL CHANNEL.   BACK UP ACTIVATION
PROCEDURE BY TELEPHONE If the DPS Communications
Center does not acknowledge the incident
commanders request when called on the I-CALL
channel, the incident commander shall contact the
DPS Communications Center in Middletown by
telephone at 1-800-842-0200 or 1-860-685-8190.
The incident commander shall utilize the same
language as detailed above.


Revised
09/01/2003
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REPEATER DEACTIVATION PROCEDURE UTILIZING THE
I-CALL CHANNEL   Upon termination of an incident,
or when the use of the I-TAC repeater is no
longer needed to support the operation, the
incident commander shall request the deactivation
of the appropriate I-TAC repeater(s) by
contacting the DPS Communications Center. The
I-Call Channel is used to inform the dispatcher
that the use of the repeater(s) has concluded.  
                                     
 
BACK UP DEACTIVATION PROCEDURE BY TELEPHONE
If the DPS Communications Center does not
acknowledge the incident commanders request when
called on the I-CALL channel, the incident
commander shall contact the DPS Communications
Center in Middletown by telephone at
1-800-842-0200 or 1-860-685-8190. The incident
commander shall utilize the same language as
detailed above.



Revised 09/01/2003            
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3-2
2-3
1-4
4-1
2-3
1-4
3-2
4-1
Tactical Channel Assignments
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TESTING

• Select the I-Call Channel on the radio
• Call the Message Center and identify yourself
  (Rank)(Name)
• Give your location (Town you are in)
• Request a radio check
• No formal weekly test schedule is planned

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Portable Radio / Charger Repair

• Contact the DPS Network Control Center (NCC) at
  1-860-685-8008
• Report the nature of the problem (malfunctioning
  portable or charger)
• A replacement unit will be delivered within 2
  business days by the service vendor
• The replacement unit becomes a permanent
  replacement
• All units are covered by a 3 year warranty

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State Contract Purchasing

• Open To All Municipalities
• WWW.CT.GOV/DOIT
• Contract Number 023-A-27-7030-C
• Optional Accessories Are Listed

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FAQs - Website

• Websites listed below will have the following
  information
• Copies of this user guide
• Further updates of the program
• Questions answered
• CT Department of Emergency Management Homeland
  Security
• http//www.ct.gov/demhs

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State of Connecticut I-CALL / I-TAC
Interoperability Training Program
NEVER FORGET 09-11-2001
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State of Connecticut

• Department of
• Emergency Management
• Homeland Security
• Interoperability Committee
• On Scene Interoperability
• STOCS

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Phase 1
• I-Call and I-Tac Interoperability
• Completed distribution and on going use of Public
  Safety Radios for
• Incident Command
• Unified Command
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Phase 1
• I-Call and I-Tac Interoperability
• Distributed to all Police, Fire, EMS, Emergency
  Managers, in CT.
• Distributed to DEP, DPH, DEMHS, DOT, USAR, DMAT,
  U.S. Coast Guard, and others.
• All 800 Mhz towns cities have them installed or
  will have them installed.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Phase 2
• Tactical Interoperability
• On Scene Public Safety Person to Person
• Police, Fire, EMS, workerbee, hose pullers,
  gun toters

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Public Safety personnel from different towns,
  cities, states, federal, local government all
  show up at an incident scene with different
  frequency radios.
• Now have a method of controlled interoperability
  with different frequency or band radios.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• All of these responders have been unable to
  communicate with each other at the scene, until
  the Phase 2 actions of the Interoperability
  Committee. (STOCS)
• Now true interoperability exists in CT for the
  safety of our responders, unlike 9/11 and the
  WTC. (STOCS)

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Now with the FCCs approval of
• V-Tac U-Tac Frequencies. (STOCS)
• DEMHS has licensed V-Tac, U-Tac and 800 Mhz
  frequencies. (STOCS)
• Person to Person, on scene and
• Cross band interoperability! (STOCS)

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• CT GP 1 154.4525 MHz 458.4625 MHz
  855.9875 MHz
• CT GP 2 158.7375 MHz 458.7125 MHz
  855.7125 MHz
• CT GP 3 159.4725 MHz 458.8625 MHz
  858.4625 MHz
• CT GP 4 158.7375 MHz 458.7125 MHz
  860.2375 MHz
• CT GP 5 159.4725 MHz 458.8625 MHz
  856.2625 MHz
• CT Connecticut, GP Group
• Groups can be assigned at the scene by the
  Incident Commander.
• CTCSS 156.7

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• CT GP 1 Statewide
• CT GP 2 Statewide (except Fairfield County)
• CT GP 3 Statewide (except Fairfield New
  London Counties
• CT GP 4 Fairfield County (800 MHz)
• CT GP 5 Fairfield New London Counties
• CT Connecticut, GP Group
• Groups can be assigned at the scene by the
  Incident Commander.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• CT GP 1 154.4525 MHz 458.4625 MHz
  855.9875 MHz
• System is for On Scene use only and will be
  assigned by Groups. When CT GP 1 is assigned,
  units on VHF will use 154.4525 MHz, UHF will use
  458.4625 MHz and 800 MHz radios will use 855.9875
  MHz.
• These frequencies may be used on a day-to-day
  basis for on scene communications within a
  department.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee
Portable Radios
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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee
Cross Band Repeater
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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee
Just Turn it on! One Switch On. One Switch Off.
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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee
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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee
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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• If all responders are on a particular band no
  cross band repeater is necessary

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Cross Band Repeaters
• (STOCS frequencies only!)
• No RF Gain 2.5 watts
• ONLY for ON SCENE use!
• 3 repeaters per county,
• 8 counties, 24 repeaters
• More repeaters to follow, each town can buy
  additional repeaters.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• CT-DEMHS holds the FCC license under the
  Interoperability Committee.
• Any Police, Fire, EMS, Emergency Management can
  and should install the frequencies in their
  portable radios.
• Frequencies can be installed in portables radios
  ONLY!
• CAN NOT install in mobiles or base radios.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Use the V-Tac, U-Tac frequencies (STOCS) when
  Interoperability is needed
• for
• Same band radios
• Different band radios
• When Responders show up
• On Scene

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Each municipality can install the corresponding
  frequencies on their radios for the band that
  they currently operate on.
• VHF
• UHF
• 800

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• For those municipalities still using Low Band
  Radios
• 33 MHz
• 37-39 MHz
• 45-46 MHz
• Purchase the appropriate VHF, UHF or 800 MHz
  radio that is used in your area for interface
  with existing networks and install the
  Interoperability Frequencies.

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• Remember
• Train, Train, Train.
• Use Interoperability frequently for official
  business only, dont fool around!

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Department of Emergency Management Homeland
SecurityInteroperability Committee

• REMEMBER
• This is a NO Power boost repeater
• Typically ¼ to ½ mile range
• License through the FCC to the State of
  Connecticut DEMHS
• Service Contract
• Contact
• Vendor

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Any Questions?

• Thank You

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• THANK YOU!