• 
  The NPSTC Technology Committee currently oversees the activities of the following Working Groups:
  
  
    Amateur Radio Working Group
  Mission: The NPSTC Amateur Radio Working Group was formed under the Technology Committee to review existing interoperation between public safety and amateur stations in emergencies, including technical, operational, regulatory and training considerations, and recommend ways of improving interoperability. It will also and study common concerns of the public safety and amateur radio services, such as interference identification and mitigation.
  
  The focus of this group will be to:
  
  1. During 2007, the Amateur Radio Working Group will study the status of interoperability and interaction between public safety and amateur radio services, both during normal times and in emergencies;
  2. Work with the Interoperability Committee to identify technologies and spectrum that help to maximize interoperability between public safety agencies and amateur radio;
  3. By 2008, prepare recommendations for advancing interoperability between public safety agencies and amateur radio;
  4. During 2007, study the status of interoperability and interaction between public safety and amateur radio services, both during normal times and in emergencies;
  5. Develop best practices for public safety to incorporate amateur radio into its operations. Review successes and failures around the country. Promote mutual understanding of Amateur Radio Emergency Organization's roles and organizational structures;
  6. As an ongoing effort, identify interference sources common to public safety and amateur radio, and recommend mitigation methods;
  7. Help NPSTC define the role of the amateur radio service working with the public safety community.
    In-Building Coverage Working Group
  Mission: To promote the availability of affordable in-building and in-tunnel communications in ways that do not interfere with critical operations and to serve as NPSTC liaison with other entities addressing in-building/in-tunnel communications.
  
  The focus of this group will be to:
  
  1. Assess Public Safety in-building communications requirements (Partnered with IBWA to develop survey free of charge to NPSTC; promoted survey participation at NPSTC and subsequently presented summary results. Recently working with IBWA on a "scorecard" matrix of how in-building communications can assist public safety.);
  2. Assess Public Safety in-tunnel communications requirements;
  3. Determine interference concerns (Initially significant concerns by Jack Daniel and others, however, request for info on specific interference cases have yielded only a few results),
  4. Explore ways to minimize interference (Arranged presentation by Dekolink at June 13, 2006 meeting);
  5. Formulate NPSTC recommendations to FCC on in-building communications issues for Board approval (TBD, as part of white paper development.);
  6. Liaison with the In-Building Wireless Alliance (IBWA) -- Active and Ongoing;
  7. Develop In-Building white paper for Board approval and placement on web (WIP-Revised target by June meeting);
  8. Examine wireless access to building information on the incident scene (Initial discussions at WG mtg. 2/5/07);
  9. Catalog local ordinances (no Board vote but agreed to in focus group 2/5/07 by several key Board members. Info collected needs to be summarized as part of whitepaper development. (WIP)
  
  
  • Best Practices for In-Building Communications 
  • Best Practices for In-Building Communications - Appendix A-E 
  
  
    Technology Education Working Group
  Mission: This workgroup will identify technology topics of interest to NPSTC participants and the communications community at large. They will facilitate the development and delivery of appropriate training materials to address those topics up to and including creating publications, marketing plans, seminars, and/or other methods of ensuring educational benefit.
  
  The focus of this group will be to:
  
  1. Identify list of target topics. - August 2007;
  2. Develop a detailed work plan for each target topic, including identification of a SME for each. - November 2007
  Broadband Working Group

Technology Committee

To participate in discussions relevant to Technology issues follow this link: NPSTC-TECHNOLOGY-COM-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Amateur Radio
Chair: Tom Abernethy
(301) 292-6263
w3tom@arrl.org

Broadband
Chair: Andy Thiessen
(303) 497-4427
andrew@its.bldrdoc.gov

Vice Chair: Joe Ross
Joe.Ross@DC.gov

In-Building Coverage
Chair: Stu Overby
(847) 576-2952
stu.overby@motorola.com

Vice Chair: Jack Daniels
800-666-8655
JackDaniel@RFWise.com

Technology Education
Chair: Steve Devine
(573) 634-3446
stephen.devine@bearingpoint.com

Vice Chair: Robert C. Shapiro, P.E.
(214) 292-0112
robert.shapiro@wfinet.com