Emergency Communications Interoperability Network

The ECIN

This project was initiated on the premise that Iowa needs to improve cross-agency communication if it is going to better protect its people and property throughout every community in the state. 

But, because Iowa doesn't have hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase new radios and infrastructure, this raised the question, "How can we enable this communication while leveraging existing infrastructure and minimizing costs?"

RACOM is providing Iowa's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management with an interoperability solution that will link several state agencies and local first responders.  Each agency will continue to use their legacy radio systems, while using IP gateways that will enable transport across the state owned ICN fiber optic network.

The Situation:

Iowa's HLSEM wanted to enable communication among organizations that respond to large incidents and disasters and to communicate between local responders and resources that would be positioned in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) outside Des Moines. 

They identified three (3) categories of interoperability scenarios that would involve local, state and federal agencies, as well as volunteer and utility/construction organizations:

1.       Static – “Always On” Connections

2.       Pre-planned – Predefined interoperability links accessible by a few “clicks”

3.       Dynamic – “On the Fly” connections  (the most challenging)

The Problem:

The communication systems of each local, state and federal agencies don't inherently communicate with each other.  There are various frequencies, manufacturers and technologies involved that are incompatible. 

Radio systems also have limited range.  Traditionally, in order to participate in the communication on a system you must physically be within the coverage of that system.  SEOC resources will be out of range of 99% of the radio systems in use throughout the state.

It's also noteworthy that the Dynamic “On the Fly” needs would be the most demanding of the dispatchers.  "Would the technology accommodate unforeseen applications and would dispatchers be proficient in using the system?

The Solution:

RACOM provides Catalyst gateway solutions that interface between radios and computers.  Voice and control parameters are translated onto the computer network for transport and ultimate access by agencies and PSAPs.  The IP backbone is the state owned fiber optic network, a unique asset to Iowa covering the entire state and terminating in over 800 locations. 

The Gateways make advanced feature controls of the radios accessible from any of the remote (and authorized) PC’s.  These advanced controls include Private (or Individual) Calls, Channel/Talk-group selection, Caller-ID, declaring of Emergencies, etc. and are unique to this technology.  Alternatively, advanced radio systems are "dummied down" when patched into the network.  This is hardly acceptable considering the investments that have been made in these systems.

The Gateways also interface with ACU-1000’s and mobile ACU-T’s to accommodate existing tactical interoperability devices. 

RACOM also provides the user software and graphical interface to control communications and the RACOM Network.  The Network is a state-wide wireless voice and data network that provides back-up transport to the ICN, mobility of ACU devices, and access to hundreds of public safety users.

The Results:

The results are numerous and provide the architectural foundation by which the system can grow.  Also,

·         Command and control centers can establish static/always-on interoperability links, preprogrammed links, and any dynamic link with any participating agency in a matter of moments and at a few clicks of a mouse. 

·         Full and clear voice can be retransmitted across other radio systems without any transmission loss or degradation of quality

·         Radio traffic can be routed across the entire state for remote communications with the State Emergency Operations Center or to other agencies hundreds of miles apart

·         Traditional technical problems associated with channel patching, like feedback loops, repeater hang times, squelch tails, queuing of trunking systems, etc have been addressed

·         Advanced radio control features provide flexibility for day-to-day and “dynamic” applications

·         Remote full feature controls also enables back-up dispatch from anywhere on the LAN/WAN

·         Administrative users and supervisors have radio access (including remote access) from and PC that can tie into the LAN/WAN, creating endless daily use benefits

Early Participants:

·         State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)

·         Iowa State Patrol

·         Cedar Rapids Fire Department

·         Sioux City Fire Department

·         Polk County Sheriff's Office

·         Des Moines Police Department

·         Westcom (West Des Moines, Clive and Urbandale)

·         All Hospitals in Iowa

·         97 Local Public Health Agencies

·         RACOM Network Users

The Future:

The State of Iowa now plans to expand participation in the solution to local agencies all over the state.  Another part of their solution is video conferencing and remote video training, and data sharing for homeland security/public safety.  The network provides intranet reliability, speed, and reduced costs to advance their security initiatives.

References:

Available upon request.