Oklahoma interoperability newsletter

              Right:
Students from Oklahoma’s first All-Haz­ards
COMT Course pose in front of Command-2. Also pictured are the two instructors, OHP Trooper David Treib and Office of Emergency Communica­tions
Region Six Coordina­tor.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Provides Inaugural COMT Course
Interoperability Newsletter
Fall 2011
Volume 2, Issue 4
Inside this Issue
COML Course 3
State Resources 3
2012 TA Catalog 4
CIO Receives Report 4
Nationwide EAS Test 4
Upcoming Events
Nov. 9, 2011: Nationwide EAS Test
Nov. 10, 2011: Fall SIGB Meeting
Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2011: All-Hazards COML Course
Dec. 6-8, 2011:
NCSWIC Conference
Dec. 31, 2011: SCIP
Update Due
Jan. 12, 2012: Winter SIGB Meeting
In an effort to enhance the Oklahoma Communications Unit Program, the State provided the first-ever All-Hazards Communications Technician (COMT)Course October 3-7, 2011. This course was offered via the Office of Emergency Communications/Interoperable Commu­nications
Technical Assistance Program (OEC/ICTAP) and was the fourth Tech­nical
Assistance Workshop provided this year. Multiple disciplines, jurisdictions and regions were represented. The in­structors
were Billy Freeman, Tennessee Task Force 1, and Patrick R. Kempker of OEC/ICTAP.
The five-day course was presented with facilitated lecture, student exercises and hands-on lab work through which the instructors explained processes used for the successful establishment and operation of the technical communica­tions
resources supporting an incident or planned event. Discussion topics included Interoperable Communications, Radio Technology, the Incident Com­mand
System (ICS), Gateway Technol­ogy,
Telephone Technology, Computer Technology, Satellite Technology, Safety Awareness, Mobilization/Demobiliza­tion
and Resource Awareness.
Two Subject Matter Experts provided technical knowledge regarding specific resources a COMT could utilize during a public safety incident in Oklahoma. The first presentation was given by Aaron VanNort, of the Oklahoma City Police Department, regarding the Tactical Communications Bridge-4 (TCB-4).
(Continued on page 2)The TCB-4 is a mobile gateway with the ability to connect multiple radio systems. There are several TCB-4 units in the state, and a few Oklahoma Regional Response System units are equipped with the gateways.
The second presentation was provided by David Treib, of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, regard­ing
the mobile communications and command unit, Command-2. Com­mand-
2 is a state resource that may be deployed to any public safety incident in Oklahoma. Course par­ticipants
were given an opportunity to tour the unit and Trooper Treib answered questions regarding its purpose and capabilities.
Hands-on exercises provided course participants with the op­portunity
to practice skills that could be used during public safety incidents. The exercises included block-wiring telephone lines, assembling Ethernet cables and establishing a wireless network between two routers in the class­room.
“I found the COMT Course extremely ben­eficial
in gaining a basic knowledge of the how’s and why’s of radio com­munications,”
said David Richardson, Ad­ministration
Major with the Midwest City Fire Department. “This will be invaluable during a multi-jurisdictional or interoper­ability
solution. I truly feel [that] every community would benefit by sending at least one person to this course, not to become an expert, but to have the necessary under­standing
of emergency radio com­munications.
And not to mention, the contacts made were worth the course alone.”
The COMT position will remain an integral aspect of the Oklahoma Communications Unit Program as the program continues to expand. The COMT Course is one of sever­al
requirements for individuals who wish to be recognized as COMTs at the state-level. Additional COMT Courses will be provided during 2012.
To view course dates, along with additional information regarding the Oklahoma Communications Unit Program, visit www.ioc.ok.gov.
Above: Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper David Treib provides informa­tion
about the mobile communications and command unit, Command-2.
Above: Students participate in a group exer­cise
building and linking wireless networks inside the classroom.
Above: Subject Matter Expert, Aaron VanNort of the Oklahoma City Police Department demonstrates the capabilities of a Tactical Communications Bridge-4 unit.
COMT (Continued from page 1)
Oklahoma Interoperability Newsletter Page 2Recently, two communications units were completed and will be available as state resources. The two units include a communi­cationsSite
on Wheels (SOW), known as STaR-1, and a mobile communications and command unit, known as Command-3. Both units were purchased using funds from the Public Safety Interoper­able
Communications (PSIC) Grant Program, and STaR-1 fulfilled the grant program requirement that each state implement a Strategic Technology Reserve.
STaR-1 is owned and operated by the City of Oklahoma City and is available for deployment statewide during a public safety incident. This unit includes multiple ra­dio
systems capable of operating anywhere within the state of Okla­homa,
independent of, or in tan­dem
with other radio systems. The communications assets are housed within a shelter, together with a telescoping tower of approximately 110 ft., riding on a semi-trailer. The tower can be set up and deployed in standalone mode within approxi­mately
30 minutes. In addition to the basic radio communications capabilities that STaR-1 provides, tactical support for data and voice communications are currently in development.
Command-3 is owned and main­tained
by the Oklahoma Depart­ment
of Agriculture and is available for deployment statewide during a public safety incident. This unit is a Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD 4WD pickup truck containing a large communications camper-style shell. Command-3 is equipped with multiple VHF, UHF and 800 MHz public safety radio systems, mobile repeaters, a mobile satellite com­munications
system and telephone systems, among other capabilities. The design of Command-3 allows it to traverse rough terrain and operate in confined areas with a minimal amount of personnel.
For additional information and deployment procedures for STaR-1, Command-3 or the other units available as state resources, visit www.ioc.ok.gov.
COML Course Offered in November
New State Resources Available During Local Incidents
An All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader (COML) Course will be offered November 28-December 1, 2011, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Public Works Training Center Building in Oklahoma City. This course will be taught by an Oklahoma Certi­fied
Instructor. It trains emergency responders to be COMLs during all-hazards emergency operations, significantly improving communi­cations
across the multiple disci­plines
and jurisdictions responding to an incident. The course is one of several requirements for individu­als
who seek to become Oklahoma state-certified COMLs. To register for this course, or to view the list of prerequisites, visit www.home­landsecurity.
ok.gov and click on the Training and Exercise Link. For questions, contact Kathryn McCoy at (405) 425-2133. Registration closes November 14, 2011.
Oklahoma Interoperability Newsletter Page 3
OKFOG Requests
The Oklahoma Field Operations Guide (OKFOG) is a pocket-sized communications quick-reference booklet for first responders. All public safety agencies in Oklahoma may request copies of the
OKFOG. Send requests to
IOC@dps.state.ok.us and include your name, agency, amount needed and mailing address.
Above: The Communications Site on Wheels, STaR-1, sits outside of an Oklahoma City facility. Oklahoma Office of
Homeland Security
PO Box 11415
Oklahoma City, OK 73136
PHONE:
(405) 425-7296
FAX:
(405) 425-7295
E-MAIL:
OKOHS@dps.state.ok.us
WEBSITE
www.ioc.ok.gov
About the Oklahoma Interoperability Newsletter
The Oklahoma Interoperability Newsletter is designed to be a source of information, news and updates for stakeholders committed to public safety communications interoperability in the state of Oklahoma. We hope that it will serve as a valuable resource for you. If you would like to contribute to the newsletter, or for comments or suggestions, please contact Nikki Cassingham at ncassing@dps.state.ok.us or Chelsea Grogan at cgrogan@dps.state.ok.us.
Announcements
Oklahoma has adopted the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum as a guide and direc­tional
goal to gain seamless communications interoperability across the state.
SIGB to Review 2012 TA Catalog
CIO Receives First Draft of Report
Members of the Statewide Interoper­ability
Governing Body (SIGB) will review and select 2012 Technical As­sistance
(TA) offerings during the fall meeting on November 10. The selec­tions
will be based from the 2012 TA Catalog, and the official request will be made through the Statewide In­teroperable
Communications Planning Coordinator on behalf of the state.
The first draft of the Projected Sus­tainability
Cost Development report has been sent to the Oklahoma Chief Information Officer (CIO) for re­view.
Earlier this year, by request of the CIO, the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) con­tracted
with L.R. Kimball to conduct a study to determine the best methods for consolidating and sustaining the radio systems in Oklahoma. The final report will be presented to the Okla­homa
Legislature in 2012 as part of the CIO’s assessment of the state’s information technology as required by HB1304- the Information Technology Consolidation and Coordination Act.
Oklahoma Interoperability Newsletter Page 4
Nationwide EAS Test
There will be a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on November 9 at 1:00 p.m. (Central). This test will disrupt all television, radio and other types of media for about three minutes.