Communications Interoperability: 
Leading the Way 

Introductions 

Dan Hawkins 
Director 
SEARCH Public Safety Programs 

Dennis Cobb 
Deputy Chief 
Las Vegas Metropolitan PD 

Agenda 

. 
What is the Issue with 
Communications Interoperability? 

. 
How are COPS Programs Addressing 
the Issue? 

. 
What Resources are Available to 
Agencies with Interoperability Projects? 

. 
Leadership in Improving Interagency 
Communications 


Interoperability is Information Sharing 

Wireless interoperabilityis the ability of 
public safety service and support providers to 
talk with each other via voice and data 
.on demand, in real time 
.when needed, when authorized 
SAFECOM 

Information Sharing is the ability to share 
critical information at key decision points 
throughout the enterprise. SEARCH 

Information sharing is the critical measure of interoperability


9/11: New York City 
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9/11: Pentagon
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9/11 Commission Report
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National Task Force on Interoperability (2003)
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NTFI #1 
Incompatible and Aging Equipment 

NLETC (1998) – 
Direct correlation 
between system age 
and effectiveness. 
Local LE systems 
averaged 9 years, 
state 15 years. Fire 
and EMS systems 
averaging 10 years. 



NTFI #2 
Limited and Fragmented Funding 

In 1998, state and 
local radio equipment 
was estimated to be 
worth $18.3B. 
In 2005, total system 
costs were estimated 
to be over $60B 


NTFI #3 
Lack of Coordination and Cooperation 

Needed changes were noted: 
.Patterns of isolated spending 
.Increased sharing of management and control 

Systems and parts of systems can 
be shared 

 

NTFI #4 
Limited and Fragmented Planning 

Technical planning 
has often been 
faulted … 
… but operational 
planning is the 
key 



NTFI #5 
Limited and Fragmented Radio Spectrum 
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Hurricane Katrina
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Hurricane Katrina: Investigations
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Katrina: House Report
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Katrina: House Report
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Katrina: White House Report
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Katrina: White House Report 

Although Federal, State, and local agencies had 
communications plans and assets in place, these plans 
and assets were neither sufficient nor adequately 
integrated to respond effectively to the disaster.” 
- p. 55 

This inability to connect multiple communications plans 
and architectures clearly impeded coordination and 
communication at the Federal, State, and local 
levels. - p. 56 


Katrina: Senate Report
Image of Hurricane Katrina A Nation Still Unprepared report cover

"Though much attention had been paid to addressing communications
shortfalls, efforts to address interoperability - as well as simply
operability - were inadequate.  There was little advance preparation 
regarding how responders would operate in an area with no power
and where virtually all forms of pre-existing communications were
destroyed." p. 16


Katrina: Senate Report 
“The inability of government officials and first 
responders to communicate during a response to an 
emergency, results in the loss of lives during 
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and every-day 
operations. The problems of operability and 
interoperability of communications were a 
central part of the failures in the governments’ 
response to Hurricane Katrina.” - p. 18-1


COPS Interoperable Communications 
Technology Program (ICTP) 
.Initiated in FY03 
.65 grants have been awarded through 
FY06, totaling approximately $250M 
.All grantees have been required to 
attend project kickoff training provided 
by SEARCH 
.Additional, no-cost technical assistance 
Leadership 


Image of US Map


COPS ICTP 
Technical Assistance Program 

Technical Assistance methods: 
.Conferences, workshops, summits, 
and other facilitated training 
.Publications, including issue briefs, 
white papers, and guides offering 
in-depth analysis of technology 
issues and specific management 
recommendations 
.Onsite and in-house technical 
assistance on using best practices 
in technology project governance, 
planning and project management 


COPS ICTP 
Technical Assistance Program 

.FY2003 Grantees 
Washington, D.C. 
February 2004 
.FY2004 Grantees 
Miami, Florida 
December 2004 
.FY2005 Grantees 
Phoenix, Arizona 
November 2005 
 


COPS ICTP 
Technical Assistance Program 

Advanced Workshops 
.Denver 
April 2005 
.Columbus 
June 2005 
.Charlotte 
July 2005 



National 
Interoperability 
Summit 
May 24 - 25, 2006 
Austin, Texas 
Co-sponsored by DOJ & DHS 
Approximately 150 persons
representing interagency
communications projects from
state, local, and federal 
government. 
 

National Interoperability Summit 
May 24 - 25, 2006 – Austin, Texas 
Challenges, lessons learned, best practices, 
and recommendations on: 
• Establishing governance structures and agreements 
• Analyzing and documenting operational needs 
• Project planning and management 
• Procurement, contracting, and vendor management 
• Implementation, operations, and performance 
measurement 


SEARCH 
Technical Assistance Programs 

.COPS Interoperable 
Communications Technology 
Program (ICTP) 
.Interagency communications 
projects across 2003-2006 grantees 
(65 grants) 
.COPS Technology Program 
.Projects of many types across 2003-
2006 grantees (~1350 grants) 
.DHS Interoperable 
Communications Technical 
Assistance Program (ICTAP) 
.All DHS grantees are eligible; most 
assistance is going to tactical 
interoperable communications 
planning 


Image of Law Enforcement Tech Guide cover

Law Enforcement Tech Guide
. Published in 2002
. Approx 10,000 copies distributed
. Self-directed guide
. Text for training


COPS 
Technical Assistance Programs 
.Law Enforcement 
Tech Guide 
.Staple reference 
for direct technical 
assistance provided 
to agencies 
.Friendly, usable 
.Practical 
application to 
public safety 
projects of all sorts 


Image of Law Enforcement Tech Guide for Small and Rural Police Agencies cover
Image of Law Enforcement Tech Guide for Communications Interoperability cover

Law Enforcement Texh Guides - The Series
. Original Tech Guide
. Small & Rural
. IT Security Policies
. Performance Measures
. Communications Interoperability


Image of Law Enforcement Tech Guide for Communications Interoperability cover

. Companion to the Law Enforcement Tech Guide
. For interagency communications projects of all disciplines
. August 2006 Publication


Image of Law Enforcement Tech Guide for Communications Interoperability cover

Review Committee
. Harlin McEwen
. Joe Noce
. John Powell
. Steve Proctor
. Marilyn Ward

Further review
. DOJ, DHS, Global


 
COPS 
Technical Assistance Programs 
.How will it be used? 
.Self-directed Guide 
.Project managers 
.Toolkit 
.Technical assistance 
providers 
.Common reference 
for interoperability 
projects 


IO Tech Guide - Contents
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 
 

IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.1. Introduction: A Changing Environment 
.2. Key Challenges and Critical Elements 
.3. Operability – Job #1 
.4. Interoperability and the Integrated 
Enterprise 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 
 

IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.5. Build an Interagency Foundation 
.6. Conduct a Needs Analysis 
.7. Scope the Work to be Done 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 


IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.8. Create a Project Plan 
.9. Acquire the System Components 
.10. Implement the System 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 
 

IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.11. Transition to Long-Term Governance 
.12. Develop Policies and Procedures 
.13. Train and Exercise 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 
 

IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.14. Maintain the Technology 
.15. Measuring Interoperability 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices


IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.16. Voice Communications 
.17. Data Communications 
.Appendices
 

IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 
.A. Sample Agreements 
.B. SOP Examples 
.C. ICS Communications Position Duties 
.D. Interoperability Assessment 
Scorecard 
 

IO Tech Guide - Contents 
.What is Interoperability? 
.How is Interoperability Achieved? 
.Exploring the Technologies 
.Appendices 
.E. Bibliography 
.F. Glossary 
.G. SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum 


Sources: Tech Guides 

. 
Online 
. 
COPS: Publications are available at 
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=118 

. 
SEARCH: Complete versions of the larger 
documents can be found as single files at 

http://www.search.org/services/publications/


. 
Hard Copy: 
. 
Distributed by the COPS Office. Contact 
the COPS Office Response Center 
800-421-6770 or by email at 
askCOPSRC@usdoj.gov 


Communications Interoperability: Leading the Way 

Presenter: 

Dennis Cobb, Deputy Chief
Las Vegas Metropolitan PD


*Positions presented in this briefing do not necessarily represent 
those of the LVMPD, and are solely the opinion of the speaker. 


Beyond Connections: 4 ‘Flavors’ of 
Interoperability & Information Sharing 

.Voice
.Data
.Logistics
.Procedures


“Whether it is in the personal realm of the 
individual warrior, or in the public domain of an 
entire nation or culture, the essence of the 
swordless art is to make resourcefulness your 
resource.” 

Thomas Cleary, 
The Japanese Art of War, 
1977 


Voice Interoperability
. 
Two “Necessary & Sufficient” 
Elements: 

-Connection 

. Technical necessity, but not the whole answer. 

-Communication 

. Transfer of meaning — “Understanding” 
. Requires knowledge of others’ perspectives and 
needs. 


“I may lose a battle; I will never lose a minute.” Napoleon



LVMPD Radio XXI 

. 7800 square mile coverage 
. 700/800 MHz bands 
. Some 700MHz available in Nevada 
. 800MHz needed for full operability 

. TDMA 
. Future spectral efficiency 

Our goal is not merely to prepare for challenges we can 
anticipate, but rather to provide a foundation to meet 
challenges we cannot anticipate. 


LVMPD Radio XXI 

. 
“2nd Parachute” Redundancy 
. Perhaps unique to Southern Nevada 
. Closely aligned separate systems 
. 
“Graceful” failure curve

 “To flourish and grow in the many-sided,
uncertain, and ever-changing world that
surrounds us suggests that we must make
intuitive within ourselves those many practices
we need to meet the exigencies of that world.” 

—John R. Boyd, A Discourse on Winning & Losing 


Data Interoperability 

. 
Nevada Shared Information 
Technology Project. 

-Goals of improved resilience, recovery 
capability, efficiency and flexibility. 
-State, County, City & Agency 
participation. 

. 
Initial sharing of physical space.

-Constrained risks.
-Later virtual space


. Outside feasibility study is next.


Data InteroperabilityFundamentals 
.“Sharing before shopping” 
.Security is crucial. 
-Physical 
-Virtual 
.Enhanced flexibility. 
.Enhanced efficiency. 


Logistical Interoperability 

. 
Offers agility in crises of 
unanticipated severity or effect. 

. 
Some “pieces” of emergency 
services network standing after 
disasters. 

-Can be connected to create some services.
-Degraded services better than NO services!


“In preparing for battle I have always found that
plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.
”

Dwight D. Eisenhower 


Logistical Interoperability

. 
Logistical “Networks” 

-Diversity adds resilience. 

. 
Emergency logistics 
“super nodes” 

-Can support resources from other 
failed nodes to maintain 
capabilities. 


Procedural Interoperability 

. 
Mutual Trust 

-Shared motive & proven capability. 

. 
Intuitive Expertise 

-“Fingertip feel.” 

. 
Directed Focus 

-“Dibs!” 

. 
“Mission Orders” 

-Intent and leadership contract. 


Communications Interoperability: Leading the Way 

. 
Voice Interoperability is crucial. 

-Requires more than mere connection; must enable 
understanding. 

. 
Data Interoperability is important. 

-Must not create overload; should be agile, flexible and 
secure. 

. 
Logistical Interoperability is valuable. 

-Undeveloped area; Potentially enormous return on 
investment; Local opportunities largely untapped. 

. 
Procedural Interoperability is FUNDAMENTAL.


-We will only be able to do during crises those things we 
have practiced together intensely & often. 
-Improvisation WILL be required. 


Further Reading 

. 
Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly About 
Security in an Uncertain World. Bruce 
Schnier, 2003 

. 
Certain to Win. Dr. Chet Richards (2004)
. 
Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed
the Art of War. Robert Coram (2004)


. 
www.belisarius.com - website on Colonel
John Boyd’s work and its use in business.


. 
www.d-n-i.net - website with many of 
Colonel John Boyd’s works 


Contact Information



Dan Hawkins, Director
SEARCH Public Safety Programs
(916) 392-2555 x302
dan.hawkins@search.org


Dep. Chief Dennis Cobb
Las Vegas Metro Police Department
(702) 229-3503
d2520c@lvmpd.com