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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications Releases the ‘National Interoperability Field Operations Guide’
December 22, 2011
February 2011
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications has developed a new tool to assist with disaster response. The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) is a technical reference for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response applications, and for emergency communications planners. The NIFOG includes rules and regulations for use of nationwide and other interoperability channels, frequencies and channel names, and other reference material; formatted as a pocket-sized guide for radio technicians to carry with them.
OEC is no longer accepting requests for printed copies of the NIFOG. You can purchase copies of the NIFOG for $9.00 each from the US Government Printing Office Bookstore. You can download PDF versions of the NIFOG at http://go.usa.gov/gTL. Please send any questions or comments about the NIFOG to NIFOG@DHS.GOV.
NIFOG version 1.4 – New Content - (PDF, 35 pages - 241 KB)
NIFOG version 1.4 – For Personal Printing - (PDF, 98 pages - 532 KB)
NIFOG version 1.4 – For Professional Printing - (PDF, 98 pages - 623 KB)
NIFOG version 1.4 – Rotated for Viewing - (PDF, 98 pages - 537 KB)
Programming Guide for Interoperability Radio Channels - (PDF, 3 pages - 28 KB)
Programming Template for Interoperability Radio Channels - (XLS, 9 pages - 99 KB)
OEC Releases Wireless Broadband Interoperability Planning Guide
November 28, 2011
 The Office of Emergency communications is pleased to announce the release of the Interoperability Planning for Wireless Broadband guide. This document a follow-up to the Public Safety Communications Evolution brochure and is intended to provide more targeted guidance to Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICS).The Interoperability Planning for Wireless Broadband guide explains the fundamentals of broadband; introduces the Public Safety Communications Evolution vision and graphic; identifies capabilities associated with public safety broadband; and briefly explains technical standards as they relate to public safety broadband planning. The purpose is not to make the reader an expert in public safety broadband technologies; rather, this document provides context for readers to begin planning for public safety broadband in their States, regions, and localities. The document is available for download on the SAFECOM website and also below.
National Incident Radio Support Cache (NIRSC) User's Guide
November 18, 2011
 The NIRSC User's guide is updated annually and may be ordered from:National Interagency Fire Center ATTN: Great Basin Cache Supply Office 3833 S. Development Ave. Boise, ID 83705 Order NFES # 0968 Questions: Cindy Wolf 208-387-5119 or cwolf@blm.gov This is an annual (change each year) publication. Ordering (NFES) number does not change. 2011 edition will be discontinued at the end of 2011 or when out of stock. 2012 edition will be available when respective committees complete the annual revision. 2011 NWCG NFES Catalog Part 2: Publications (NWCG website) 2011 NWCG NFES Catalog Part 2: Publications Updates (PDF) 2007 NIRSC User's Guide (PDF)
FCC’s Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) Clearinghouse
February 09, 2011
 The PSHSB Clearinghouse has been established for the collection, evaluation and dissemination of public safety communications information. If your public safety organization has information that it wishes to be considered for posting in the clearinghouse, please send the document(s) to PSHSBinfo@fcc.gov, with "Clearinghouse" listed in the subject line.
SAFECOM Executive Committee and Emergency Response Council (ERC)
May 13, 2010
 Thank you for your hard work and participation in the May 2010 ERC meeting in Seattle. Linked below for your reference and utilization is the May ERC Executive Summary – a new document designed to provide a brief overview of the ERC meeting including the meeting purpose and key outcomes. OEC created the Executive Summary to help you more easily share key information with your leadership, fellow stakeholders, and other colleagues, and demonstrate the importance of your participation on the SAFECOM ERC. OEC is hopeful that you find the new Executive Summary useful! Please let us know if this is a useful document you would like to continue receiving ERC meetings reports. We truly appreciate your feedback, and look forward to hearing from you. The full ERC meeting report will be completed and posted to www.ercmeeting.com later this month in addition to the slide deck. We look forward to seeing you in Washington D.C in November for the next meeting.
Visit ERC's Document Library
Public Safety Communications and Spectrum Resources: Policy Issues for Congress Congressional Research Service
November 10, 2009
A CRS report by Linda K. Moore, a specialist in telecommunications policy, prepared for members and committees of Congress (courtesy of the PWF Digest).
NPSTC 700 MHz Broadband Network Requirements Task Force Meeting at APCO
August 19, 2009
Scheduled Wednesday, August 19, 2009 from 9:30 am-11:30 am (PST) in Ballroom G of the Las Vegas Hilton.
APCO 75th Annual Conference and Exposition: NPSTC Presents a Panel Discussion of Current Events and Activities in Public Safety Telecommunications
August 19, 2009
A panel discussion during APCO's 75th Annual Conference and Exposition to talk about the latest developments in public safety telecommunications including a report of the 700 MHz Broadband Requirements Task Force, FCC filings, OEC updates, COML training, NPSTC's new PSWAC Follow On Working Group, the P25 CAP program, and 900 MHz alerting.
Communications-Specific Tabletop Exercise Methodology
September 18, 2008
 Helps local policymakers and Federal technical assistance programs plan communications-specific exercises with emergency response.Visit the SAFECOM website to read more and to view the document. You may also download the document directly by clicking the document link below.
Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) Business Case
September 17, 2008
 Video that provides high-level decision makers with a value proposition that details the importance of CAD interoperability.The video is offered in three formats (low, medium, and high resolution) and requires Windows Media Player to view. Please select the appropriate link based on your internet connection:
Computer-Aided Dispatch Interoperability Project: Documentation of Regional Efforts
September 16, 2008
A report highlighting CAD interoperability projects in three regions.
Visit the SAFECOM website to read the report. You may also download the document directly by clicking the document link below.
OEC Releases National Emergency Communications Plan
July 31, 2008
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS's) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) released the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) to Congress this week. The NECP is a national plan that develops a framework for communications between first responders at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications Releases the 'National Response Framework (NRF)'
January 14, 2008
This National Response Framework (NRF)is a guide to how the Nation conducts all-hazards response. This document explains the common discipline and structures that have been exercised and matured at the local, tribal, State, and national levels over time. It describes key lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, focusing particularly on how the Federal Government is organized to support communities and States in catastrophic incidents. Most importantly, it builds upon the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which provides a consistent template for managing incidents.
Spectrum Policy for the 21st Century - The President's Spectrum Policy Initiative: A Public Safety Sharing Demonstration
June 08, 2007
Abstract:
This report encourages the federal, state and local public safety community to consider utilizing commercial technologies in satisfying broadband interoperable communications among first responders. NTIA chose the District of Columbia's pilot program, "Wireless Accelerated Responder Network" (WARN), which was implemented by the District's Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO). NTIA selected the WARN pilot program because it met NTIA's evaluation criteria; specifically, it demonstrated the use of a public safety network on which federal, state, local and private users share the available bandwidth.
Community Documents
Audio Gateway Handbook 320 Final - March 2006
Strategies for States to Achieve Public Safety Wireless Interoperability - released by the NGA Center for Best Practices on November 20, 2006
COPS Office Documents
Law Enforcement Tech Guide for Communications Interoperability
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), with the endorsement of SAFECOM, released the Law Enforcement Tech Guide for Communications Interoperability. This publication is a comprehensive, user-friendly guidebook that provides strategies, best practices, and recommendations for public safety agencies seeking to develop or already engaged in interagency communications projects.
SAFECOM / OEC / OIC
Articles
First Ever Joint NCSWIC and SAFECOM ERC Meeting Held December 6-8, 2011 in Atlanta
January 05, 2012
 A Message from OEC Director Chris Essid - Thank you to all those who attended the first ever NCSWIC-SAFECOM joint meeting in Atlanta (December 6-8, 2011). I hope that each of you had the opportunity to meet new colleagues and learn valuable information that you can bring back to your States and organizations. Partnerships are vital to the success of the public safety community, and one of OEC’s goals is to help facilitate relationship building by bringing together these two important stakeholder groups. Improving interoperability at all levels of government is an ongoing process, and the Nation’s achievements to date would not have been possible without your dedication and expertise. I look forward to continuing our work together.
Why Can’t We Talk? Working Together to Bridge the Communications Gap to Save Lives
In 2003, 18 national associations representing state and local elected and appointed officials formed a task force to raise awareness about the lack of interoperability. The National Task Force on Interoperability developed a 100-page guidebook to provide guidance on achieving interoperability, covering issues from planning to governance and spectrum to funding.
When They Can’t Talk Lives Are Lost: What Public Officials Need to Know About Interoperability
In 2003, 18 national associations representing state and local elected and appointed officials formed a task force to raise awareness about the lack of interoperability. The National Task Force on Interoperability created an awareness brochure to provide guidance on achieving interoperability.
Why Can't We Talk? Supplemental Resources
Showcases a collection of materials describing interoperability projects and best practices developed by the National Task Force on Interoperability.
OIC Industry Roundtable Presentations Available Online!
Thank you for attending the 2008 OIC Industry Roundtable on Monday, June 2! The presentations have been added to the OIC Industry Roundtable Web site, www.oicroundtable.com/sessions.html.
Additionally, please feel free to provide any feedback on the event or suggestions for future events by following this link, www.oicroundtable.com/suggestions.html.
SAFECOM’s Interoperability Continuum Brochure
The Interoperability Continuum is designed to help the public safety community and local, tribal, state, and federal policy makers address critical elements for success as they plan and implement interoperability solutions.
SAFECOM Continuum - version 2 - April 15, 2008
SAFECOM Continuum - version 1 - August 1, 2006
Bulletins and News Clips
2010 Bulletins and News Clips
2009 Bulletins and News Clips
2008 Bulletins and News Clips
2007 Bulletins and News Clips
2006 Bulletins and News Clips
Emergency Communications Forum/Quarterly
Emergency Communications Forum (ECF)
What is the ECF?... Formerly the "Emergency Communications Quarterly", the ECF is the latest evolution of OEC’s stakeholder outreach efforts. The ECF engages and informs emergency responders; policy makers; and Federal, State, local, and tribal officials about issues and events that directly affect everyday nationwide emergency communications. The launch of the ECF has been guided by stakeholder feedback and is an effort to provide timely and relevant content. As we prepare for future editions please let us know what you think along the way at OEC@hq.dhs.gov. Contribute a Story... The ECF covers stories contributed by members of the emergency response community nationwide. If you are interested in submitting an article to the ECF regarding emergency communications in the field, best practices, and lessons learned, or if you have any feedback or suggestions please e-mail us at OEC@hq.dhs.gov. Emergency Communications Forum Issues: Emergency Communications Quarterly Issues:
Documents
SDR Documents
 SDRF-08-P-0004-V1 0 0 Technology for 700 MHz Spectrum - June 18, 2008
SDRF-07-R-0024-V1 0 0 700 MHz - December 5, 2007
SDRF-07-P-0019-V1 0 0 Use Cases - November 8, 2007
SDRF-06-P-0001-V1 0 0 Public Safety - April 14, 2006
CommTech
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Support Provided by the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate,
Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC), and Office of Emergency Communications (OEC)
Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC), and Office of Emergency Communications (OEC)
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