Arizona statewide communication interoperability plan (SCIP) implementation report

              Arizona
Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan
(SCIP) Implementation Report
Update: September 10, 2008
Arizona i Update: September 10, 2008
SCIP Implementation Report
VERSION SUBMITTED BY STATE TO OEC
This report is a summary of the State of Arizona’s SCIP submitted December 2007. The report does not represent an
independent DHS analysis of the State’s gaps and initiatives. Further, it does not represent a DHS endorsement of
the State's current communications interoperability environment or its initiatives.
Table of Contents
State Overview.............................................................................................................................................1
Vision and Mission ......................................................................................................................................1
Urban Areas .................................................................................................................................................2
Governance and Funding ..............................................................................................................................3
Standard Operating Procedures.....................................................................................................................4
Technology ..................................................................................................................................................5
Training and Exercises.................................................................................................................................8
Usage and Outreach .....................................................................................................................................9
Arizona 1 Update: September 10, 2008
SCIP Implementation Report
VERSION SUBMITTED BY STATE TO OEC
State Overview
Overview of the State and its interoperability challenges
Arizona has a total area of approximately 118,000 square miles, which makes it the sixth largest State in
the United States. There are two major desert environments: the lower desert and the high desert. Each
desert has its own special set of requirements for equipment, protection, weather conditions, and
environmental concerns. The major natural disasters that impact Arizona are fires and flooding.
Arizona is bordered by the States of New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and California, and the country of
Mexico. Arizona shares a 389 mile international border with Mexico that is mostly unregulated and
unprotected. Major challenges exist in adequately patrolling the area due to the limited number of
existing border patrol resources.
The most economically important port in Arizona is Nogales. Nogales is one of the four primary ports of
entry between the United States and Mexico. Almost $19 billion in trade comes through this port
annually, with 89 percent of all surface mode trade (e.g., truck, rail) between Arizona and Mexico passing
through Nogales.
Arizona’s critical infrastructure is focused around water, electricity, and telecommunications. The State
has more than 400 dams, of which 130 are classified as requiring critical infrastructure protection.
Hoover Dam, the largest freshwater reservoir in the United States, is a major component of the State’s
infrastructure because of the lakes, water supply, and hydroelectric production linked to its operation. It
is also a major supplier of electric power to the western grid, which includes the States of Arizona,
California, and Nevada.
The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power generation facility in the United
States, is on 4,000 acres of land and produces over 30,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually to serve
approximately four million people in Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California. In addition, some of the
Nation’s largest defense industrial contractors have facilities located in Arizona.
Arizona’s population is growing rapidly and Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United
States. Estimates show that in 2009, Arizona will be home to 6.8 million people with the Phoenix
metropolitan area (Maricopa County) having a population of 4.1 million and Pima County having a
population of 1 million. These two counties represent 75 percent of the State’s population. Arizona is
home to 22 Federally-recognized tribes that occupy a combined landmass of approximately 25 percent
(21 million acres) of the State’s land. There is a significant amount of Federal land in Arizona occupying
over 28,723,148 acres, which makes it important to have Federal participation in the interoperable radio
systems deployed in Arizona. Arizona has approximately 281 first responder agencies with 15 sheriff’s
departments, 149 police departments, 117 fire districts, and many emergency medical services (EMS)
providers.
Vision and Mission
Overview of the interoperable communications vision and mission of the State
The Arizona Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) has a timeframe of eight years
(2007 – 2015).
Vision: Enable real-time, interoperable communications between local, county, state, tribal, and federal
public safety entities in the state of Arizona to effectively protect lives and property.
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Mission: To create a seamless inter-jurisdictional and inter-disciplinary interoperable communications
system, for all public safety entities operating within the state of Arizona.
Arizona outlines five key areas that must be in place to achieve its mission and vision:
1. Governance & Funding
2. Standards Operating Procedures
3. Technology
4. Training & Exercise
5. Usage & Outreach
Urban Areas
Overview of the Urban Areas in the State and to what extent they are mentioned in the SCIP
There are two Urban Area Security Initiatives (UASIs) in Arizona: Phoenix and Tucson. Arizona’s SCIP
identifies one formal Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP), which was created for
Phoenix. The Phoenix TICP identifies the geographical areas covered in the plan and provides a point of
contact who can identify the agencies and disciplines included in the TICP.
Tucson was recently designated a UASI region, but has not yet prepared a TICP. The SCIP provides a
point of contact for the Tucson UASI and identifies the geographical areas encompassed by the UASI.
The SCIP states that Tucson UASI officials will work closely with the PSCC in the development of their
TICP.
The TICP Scorecard recommendations outline the need to establish charters to encourage formal
membership of decision-making groups; document and formalize the necessary agreements for Federal,
State, local, and tribal partnerships; support partnerships on regional interoperability; encourage
development of a regional interoperability funding strategy including the identification of long-term (e.g.,
three to five years) funding sources; consider the direct involvement of high-level elected officials with
political and fiscal authority to champion communications interoperability in the area; establish a direct
line of communication for the PSCC Interoperability Subcommittee to advocate with political and fiscal
leaders at State and local levels; continue basic and advanced training and exercises on standard operating
procedures (SOPs) to ensure all participating emergency responder agencies attain and maintain National
Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) compliance; involve Federal,
State, tribal, and private sector organizations in training and exercises; and consider adding
communications interoperability as a component in all future exercises.
In comparing the TICP Scorecard recommendations to the SCIP initiatives, it was found that most of
Arizona’s TICP Scorecard recommendations are directly or indirectly addressed in the SCIP. The
recommendations are addressed through the following SCIP initiatives:
  Expansion of the communications governance model
  Development of a long-term funding strategy
  Development of a statewide comprehensive communications training and exercise plan
  Standardization of SOPs for statewide interoperable communications solutions
  Enhancement of cooperation with tribal entities and integrating them into interoperable
communications functions
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Governance and Funding
Overview of the governance structure and funding approach
Arizona’s governance is a multi-level structure that was established to oversee interoperable
communication efforts within the State. It consists of the Public Safety Communications Advisory
Commission (PSCC), the State Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC) and the technical and
operational subcommittees under the SIEC, and staff oversight and management of the PSCC and SIEC.
Note: The Support Office was moved by statute in July 2008 from the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
to the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA).
The PSCC was organized in 2000 and the PSCC charter was established into Arizona State law in 2004.
Arizona’s PSCC is legislatively enabled as an advisory body for statewide interoperability efforts. It
consists of 15 governor-appointed members reflecting multi-disciplinary public safety and emergency
management agencies including representatives from the public safety, police, fire, EMS,
communications, sheriff, and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security. The GITA director
functions in the role of chairman for the PSCC.
The SIEC serves as an advisory committee to the PSCC, and currently has authority over 700 MHz, VHF
and UHF interoperability frequencies. It is an interactive working group that encourages broad
participation from the emergency response community including State, local, and non-governmental
representatives.
In addition to GITA, other State agencies, local government, tribal government, and non-governmental
agencies are engaged in the efforts of the PSCC, and the creation and maintenance of the SCIP. Federal,
county, tribal, and municipal leaders also serve on each of the five Regional Advisory Councils (RACs)
operating in the state, which are tasked with developing, implementing, and maintaining regional
homeland security initiatives, and recommending the use of PSIC and other funds within their regions.
Arizona also has bi-national agreements with Mexico outlining that each party can provide assistance to
the other in times of emergency or disaster, and provide training and exercise opportunities.
A proper review of the SCIP at least once a year starting in August 2008 is a part of the Review and
Update Process identified in the SCIP. Input and review of changes to the SCIP will be conducted
through public meetings open to all emergency responders.
Point of Contact for the state is currently Lisa Dee Meyerson who has replaced Curt Knight as the point
of contact originally identified in the SCIP, and efforts are underway to recruit a full-time interoperability
coordinator to report to Ms. Meyerson.
Lisa Dee Meyerson
Government Information Technology Agency
Strategic Initiatives Unit Chief
602-364-4780
lmeyerson@azgita.gov
Governance and Funding Initiatives
The following table outlines the strategic governance and funding initiatives, gaps, owners, and milestone
dates Arizona outlined in its SCIP to improve interoperable communications.
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Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
# 3. Expand governance model. Governance
processes must
evolve and
mature.
PSCC Short-term, High
Priority
In process
# 6. Develop a long-term funding strategy. A long-term
funding strategy
is needed for
sustainability.
PSCC Short-term, High
Priority
Not Started
Supportive Objectives Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
Conduct an annual SCIP review to update the
plan.
Need to
continually
review and
enhance the
SCIP.
PSCC Annual
commencing
Aug 08
In Process
Establish a full-time interoperability coordinator. Need to address
DHS
requirement.
PSCC Target Oct 08 In Process
Obtain and sustain legislative support on
interoperability matters (# 6).
Legislative
support for long-term
funding
strategy is
essential.
PSCC Short-term,
ongoing
Not Started
Standard Operating Procedures
Overview of the shared interoperable communications-focused SOPs
The level of progress on SOPs in Arizona is high due to years of development in this area. SOPs are
current and provide the required services and communications when they are needed.
The Arizona Department of Homeland Security (AZDOHS) has oversight responsibilities to ensure State
plans are NIMS compliant in accordance with Arizona’s Governor’s Executive Order and the Presidential
Directive. Every jurisdiction in Arizona, either by ordinance or by order of the county executive, has
implemented procedures to obtain and maintain NIMS- and ICS-compliance. An appointed NIMS
compliance officer in each public safety agency is responsible for ensuring that SOPs and MOUs comply
with NIMS and the National Response Plan. In addition to city and county compliance, AZDOHS and
the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (AZDEMA) continue to assist tribal and local
governments regarding NIMS compliance through regularly scheduled NIMS training courses and
outreach programs.
SOPs for the coordination of interoperable communications equipment include 1) the Arizona Interagency
Radio System (AIRS) State Plan, which provides guidance for the use of interoperability channels, 2) the
Arizona SIEC Very High Frequency (VHF) Minimum Equipment Standards and 3) the Arizona SIEC
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Minimum Equipment Standards, which detail minimum channel capacity,
channel display, frequency range, narrowband capability, and Project 25 (P25) capability.
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SOP Initiatives
The following table outlines the SOP strategic initiatives, gaps, owners, and milestone dates Arizona
outlined in its SCIP to improve interoperable communications.
Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
#12. Standardize SOPs for statewide
interoperable communications solutions.
Statewide
interoperable
communications
solutions will
require some
additional
standardization.
PSCC
SIEC
Medium-term,
Low Priority
Not Started
Supportive Objectives Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
Publish user-based standards and guidelines
(#12).
Statewide
interoperable
communications
will require
standards and
guidelines.
PSCC
SIEC
Medium-term Not Started
Technology
Overview of the technology approaches, current capabilities, and planned systems
Arizona operates on multiple State, regional, and local shared systems and the majority of land mobile
radio (LMR) systems serving the more rural areas of the State are conventional VHF or UHF. The larger
metropolitan areas have migrated or are in the process of migrating to 800 megahertz (MHz) trunked
systems. The State systems operate mostly in the VHF radio band, with some in UHF and 800 MHz.
Arizona is currently evaluating a system-of-systems approach to interoperability within the state. One
aspect of this strategy, subject to funding availability, is the development of a statewide 700 MHz digital
trunked P25 radio system that could support State agencies and any Federal, local, tribal, or authorized
non-governmental entities who desire access. The demonstration project for this system is currently
interconnecting local 800 MHz P25 systems, utilizing a P25 Inter-Sub-System Interface (ISSI) to validate
interoperable communications and seamless roaming between systems. The Phoenix and Yuma regional
systems are participating in this project. The State encourages local and tribal government agencies to
upgrade their radio systems so they are compatible with other state systems; however, if a local
jurisdiction chooses not to migrate to 700/800 MHz technology, the state is planning to support
interoperable communications by providing high-level network connections (i.e., console patching or
permanent interconnections) to such systems.
Arizona’s short-term strategy includes expansion of AIRS coverage in order to provide a basic level of
interoperability through national and State interoperability channels. AIRS supports VHF, UHF, and 800
MHz frequencies used throughout the state, with a cross-band repeater configuration that allows
communication between bands.
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Interoperability in Arizona varies from agency to agency and county to county; however, most have AIRS
channels programmed in their radios. Most counties also have gateway units, either mobile or at
communications centers where dispatching occurs. Police and fire agencies have caches of radios to
exchange during special operations, large wildfires, or task force operations. The Arizona SIEC has
established a standardized nomenclature for the AIRS network mutual aid channels and related, non-networked,
national and regional mutual aid channels.
Arizona officials are considering continuity of government as its prime directive for the Strategic
Technology Reserve (STR), with augmentation of the current reserves that are deployed throughout
Arizona. There are currently five mobile communications vehicles placed in strategic locations around
the State to ensure the shortest response times. When deployed, the vehicles are staffed by NIMS-qualified
communications personnel. From the time a call is placed to the time the asset is deployed on
location is generally within three hours. Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grants will
be used to enhance existing STR assets.
In order to support the proposed technical initiatives, the State microwave system is being upgraded from
analog to digital, subject to funding availability. This upgrade, being completed by the DPS Wireless
Systems Bureau (DPS/WSB), is critical to statewide communications interoperability in Arizona.
The following table lists the major systems in Arizona and includes those used for operable as well as
interoperable communications and wireless data networks.
State System Name Description Status
DPS Microwave Backbone
Infrastructure
Analog and digital technology Existing and being enhanced
AZ Interagency Radio System (AIRS) VHF, UHF, 800 MHz conventional Existing and being extended
Statewide 700 MHz System P25 700 MHz digital trunked Planned
Game & Fish, Dept. of Corrections,
Dept. of Juvenile Correction, Parks
Board & State Land Dept., Dept. of
Agriculture
VHF conventional Existing
Department of Public Safety UHF conventional Existing
Dept. of Transportation VHF conventional, 800 MHz trunked Existing
EMSCOM, Veterans Memorial
Coliseum, Shared Government
Operations
UHF conventional Existing
Regional System Name Description Status
Phoenix Regional Wireless Network
(PRWN)
800 MHz P25, simulcast trunked Existing
Mesa Regional System (TOPAZ) 800 MHz P25, simulcast trunked Existing
Pima County Wireless Integrated
Network (PCWIN)
800 MHz P25, simulcast trunked Planned
Central Arizona Project 800 MHz trunked Existing
Salt River Project VHF conventional, UHF conventional,
900 MHz trunked
Existing
Arizona Public Service 800 MHz trunked Existing
Northern Arizona University and City of
Flagstaff
800 MHz trunked Existing
Yuma Regional Communications
System (YRCS)
800 MHz, P25 trunked Existing and being enhanced
Phoenix Fire Regional Dispatch VHF conventional Existing
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Prescott regional communications VHF conventional Existing
Sedona fire regional VHF conventional Existing
Technology Initiatives
The following table outlines the technology strategic initiatives, gaps, owners, and milestone dates
Arizona outlined in its SCIP to improve interoperable communications.
Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
# 1. Develop AIRS. Need to
address
coverage gaps.
DPS/WSB June 2009 In Progress
# 2. Enhance modern regional systems. Local networks
will require
maintenance &
enhancements
to support
multiple users.
PSCC Medium-term,
High Priority
In Progress
# 4. Upgrade the statewide microwave backbone
infrastructure.
Connectivity for
statewide
systems.
DPS/WSB 2007-2013 In Progress
# 5. Develop a comprehensive plan to address
catastrophic communications loss.
Enhance STR. AZDEMA Short-term,
High Priority,
PSIC grant
In Progress
# 7. Develop a statewide communications
migration plan.
Need a
migration
strategy against
which projects
will be
evaluated.
PSCC Medium-term,
Medium Priority
Not Started
# 8. Develop the PSCC long-term solution - high-level
network connections component.
Connecting
non-700/800
MHz systems to
the State
backbone.
PSCC Long-term, High
Priority
Not Started
#11. Develop a plan for statewide data
interoperability.
Needs are to be
determined.
PSCC Long-term,
Medium Priority
Not Started
Supportive Objectives Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
Complete the Microwave Southern Loop (# 4) Critical portion
of Microwave
backbone
DPS/WSB June 2009 In Progress
Implement demonstration project for Phoenix
and Yuma regional systems. (# 8)
Need to validate
interoperable
communications
and roaming
PSCC 2008 In Progress
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Training and Exercises
Overview of the diversity, frequency, and inter-agency coordination of training and exercises
AZDEMA has an extensive outreach program for training and exercises, with a schedule posted on its
Web site. AZDEMA actively recruits participants in its training classes by contacting the local
government EOCs, promoting the training classes, and explaining how to participate in them.
There are two types of training and exercise plans in Arizona. The first type of training occurs at the local
jurisdictional and discipline level and covers job basics, roles, and responsibilities. The second training
and exercise program is conducted by the State and often deals with matters of State and national security.
The State offers a large number of classes to local emergency responders that are multi-disciplinary,
multi-jurisdictional, and include Federal, State, local, and tribal entities. Additionally, each year local
governments conduct their own training and exercise programs, which are generally multi-disciplinary
and inter-jurisdictional within a county government.
Training
Arizona’s training program crosses all jurisdictions and is multi-disciplinary. Training is provided on a
regular basis, thus creating continual training opportunities for all State, local, and tribal entities. There
are formal State training programs and train-the-trainer classes in the Homeland Security Exercise and
Evaluation Program (HSEEP) process. The AZDEMA training program is designed to instruct
emergency responders in NIMS and other communications courses; however, the State does not
maintain a separate training class or curriculum for interoperable communications.
The State delivers ICS training as a part of the statewide training program. The Arizona State Land
Department teaches and provides credentials for Communications Unit Leader (COML) and
Communications Unit Technician (COMT) classes through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group
(NWCG). Additionally, one of the few nationwide train-the-trainer instructors is a PSCC member.
Exercises
The State has an extensive training program conducted both by individual agencies and AZDEMA.
Exercises are offered to State agencies as well as tribal governments. Interoperable communications
equipment and SOPs are exercised regularly. These exercises are conducted with other levels of
government and include After Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) published for all full-scale
and tactical exercises. During October 2007, Arizona participated in the national-level Top
Officials 4 (TOPOFF-4) exercise. TOPOFF-4 was used as an opportunity for the State to learn more
about issues that are driving the Nation’s defense priorities as well as learning more about Arizona’s
vulnerabilities.
Training and Exercises Initiatives
The following table outlines the training and exercises strategic initiatives, gaps, owners, and milestone
dates Arizona outlined in its SCIP to improve interoperable communications in the State.
Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
#10. Develop a statewide, comprehensive
communications training and exercise plan.
Training
curriculum must
PSCC Medium-term,
Medium Priority
In Progress
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Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
address all
interoperability
initiatives.
Supportive Objectives Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
Develop COML and COMT classes (#10). Expand
availability of
COML/COMT
training
PSCC Short-term In Progress
Usage and Outreach
Overview of the usage and promotion of interoperability solutions
The use of interoperable communications is routine and handled at a jurisdictional level rather than as an
over-arching statewide process. The concept of interoperability is promoted through an outreach
program, open public meetings, as well as a user-friendly website and regular communications to
interested parties. Local governments are interoperable with the equipment they rely on for day-to-day
situations and most emergencies. Arizona does not use a common, statewide radio system with the
exception of AIRS. In areas that do have shared radio systems, daily interoperability exists.
Testing is not done on a regular basis; rather, equipment is usually used during roll call or through drills
and exercises. Testing is done with Federal, State, and local agencies and failures are found through
usage or incident related failures. Mutual aid frequencies, on which AIRS operates, are not used for pre-planned
events. AIRS is more often used for localized emergency incidents rather than regional
interoperability at this time, however its use is expected to increase as availability increases.
The State recognizes a gap in outreach efforts and is recruiting an outreach manager to promote
interoperability awareness, initiatives and best practices throughout Arizona. The intent is to encourage
and coordinate collaborative efforts, and to identify and help address state, regional and local barriers to
advancing interoperability solutions and usage.
Usage and Outreach Initiatives
The following table outlines the usage and outreach strategic initiatives, gaps, owners, and milestone
dates Arizona outlined in its SCIP to improve interoperable communications in the State.
Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
# 9. Develop a statewide communications plan
addressing mass transit, transportation, and
ports.
In the event of a
major incident,
the need to
communicate
with mass
transit,
PSCC Short-term,
Medium Priority
Not Started
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Initiative Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
transportation,
and ports
becomes critical
for evacuation
of areas of the
state.
#13. Develop an Interstate Interoperability Plan. Emergency
operations
across state
lines may
require
interoperability
for mutual aid
efforts.
PSCC Long-term, Low
Priority
Not Started
#14. Improve cooperation with and the
integration of tribal entities into interoperable
communications functions.
Low level of
involvement
from the tribal
communities on
interoperability
projects.
PSCC Long-term,
Medium Priority
Not Started
#15. Develop an interoperable communications
strategy with Mexico.
Emergency
operations
occurring near
the border may
require
interoperability
for mutual aid
efforts.
PSCC Long-term, Low
Priority
Not Started
#16. Create an education and communications
program in support of expanding interoperability.
To ensure key
stakeholders,
policy members,
and
practitioners
understand the
issues, and
current/desired
future state of
interoperability
in AZ.
PSCC Medium-term,
Medium Priority
Not Started
Supportive Objectives Gap Owner Milestone Date
Status
(Complete, In
Progress, Not
Started)
Establish a full-time interoperability outreach
manager.
Need for
additional
outreach.
PSCC Target Oct 08 In Process