Interoperability

Responsibilities of the SWIC include the following:

• Liaise among the local and regional public safety community, state agencies and officials, and the federal government
• Drive and coordinate the effort to implement the SCIP
• Revise the SCIP annually
• Ensure proper representation within the interoperability governance structure
• Develop and measure long-term and annual performance measures to show progress towards improved interoperability
• Coordinate the compilation of state investment justifications for communications interoperability
• Serve as the liaison between the SIEC and other groups
• Pursue funding support for the effort

Public Safety Broadband

Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) offers a solution that addresses many of the connectivity issues faced by public safety during times of emergency.  Its advocates cite the needs of first responders and public safety professionals to have unfettered access to wireless communications in order to improve their ability to respond to incidents safely and effectively. The challenge lies in making all of this a reality in the current fiscal environment.  Due to rising costs and shrinking federal grant programs, public safety communications budgets are stretched to the breaking point. It is now widely understood that broadband technologies will not replace Land Mobile Radio (LMR) as the primary means of voice communications for public safety in the near future, but will supplement them. This means that the funding and expense associated with the operations and maintenance of the PSBN will be a supplement to that which is supporting existing LMR systems.

Regional Preparedness Advisory Committee for Interoperability (RPAC-I)

The purpose of the RPAC-I is to work as a committee at the regional level to address interoperability project priorities, including utilization of grant funding and addressing communication challenges.  Representatives from the seven (7) RPAC-I’s provide perspectives and input to the statewide interoperability decision making process. 

Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC)

The purpose of the SIEC is to assist in the defining and implementation of initiatives outlined in the SCIP.  Current members of the SIEC draw upon the experience and knowledge of emergency responders’ needs and capabilities.  Through this medium, strategic guidance and recommendations are given to the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, the Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, and the Governor.  

Documents

Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan

• Current SCIP-2024 (Adopted by SIEC 10/24/2023)

Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee

• Charter and By-Laws

SIEC Policies

• All-Virtual Public Meetings (adopted 4/9/24)
• Remote Participation (adopted 4/9/24)

Reports

• SIEC HB1820 Report

Meetings

Next Meetings:

No meetings scheduled.