Regional Workshops

2010 AHC REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS AND INTEROPERABILITY WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:
On September 7-9, 2010, the states of the All Hazards Consortium (www.ahcusa.org ), in conjunction with FEMA Region II and III Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Group (RECCWG), hosted a Regional Public Safety Communications and Interoperability Workshop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

The vision of this workshop was to further the progress that had been made by both the RECCWG and the AHC Interoperability Working Group as the result of prior workshops and meetings, white paper recommendations and results of baseline assessments with actionable next steps.

The workshop was held at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Attendees included federal, state, higher education and invited private sector participants.

Click Here to download the agenda.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

EDUCATE:

Provide a briefing on the results on the nine (9) state Regional Interoperability Capability Baseline Assessment and its impact on regional interoperability
Provide federal sector updates from:
- Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) Communications Projects and Programs
- Department of Justice Communications (DOJ) Projects and Programs
- Department of Transportation (DOT) National 911 project
- Briefing from Office of Emergency Communications on NECP Goal 1 exercises
- IPAWS Project update

PLAN AND COORDINATE:

Discuss funding for projects outlined by gaps in baseline assessment
Cross matrix recommendations from previous meetings and white papers to map out regional projects for subsequent grant cycles
Develop an action plan for next steps

COLLABORATE:

Bring together the AHC Interoperability Working Group members, RECCWG and the new Office of Emergency Communications Regional representatives with the private sector and non-governmental organizations to share information, facilitate dialog and build relationships

SPEAKERS:

A partial list of speakers and panelists is detailed below.

Karyn Higa-Smith	Program Manager, DHS S&T
Erin Podolny	Executive Director, Eastern Shore Communications Alliance
Charley Bryson	NPSTC Outreach Committee Vice Chair
Denis Collins	DOJ Wireless Management Office
Curt Andrich	Interoperability Program Management Office
Tom Sullivan	Philadelphia UASI
Steve Kral&nbsp	Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, WMATA
Bill Kalin	Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, DHS S&T
Jimmy Gianato	Director of the WV Depart. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
SFC Daniel Kirby	WV National Guard
Brian Baker	Senior Program Manager, Beck Disaster Recovery
Mark Grubb	Director, DE Depart. of Safety and Homeland Security Division of Communications
Robert Bowman	Enterprise Account Manager, Cisco Systems
Anthony Bardo	Asst. VP, Govt,, North American Division, Hughes Network Systems, LLC
John Contestabile	Assistant Program Manager, Homeland Security, JHU APL

DRAFT SCHEDULE (subject to change)

Tuesday, September 7th (open sessions) 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Registration Opens 12:30 pm
Afternoon educational briefings / technology showcase 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Evening reception / dinner 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Wednesday, September 8th - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Interoperability Working Group Progress Discussion
Regional Interoperability Capability Baseline Assessment Update
Federal, State, Local, UASI and Private Sector Panel Discussions
- Panel 1 – Policy and Governance - The Policy and Governance Panel will bring together selected representatives from federal, state/UASI and local government, along with higher education and the private sector. The questions that have been selected for discussion were drawn from the policy and governance findings in previous studies and workshops and include such topics as funding, federal government coordination, and information sharing.
- Panel 2 – Exercises and After Action Reports - The Exercises and After Action Reports Panel will again bring together selected representatives from federal, state/UASI, and local government, along with higher education and the private sector. The questions that have been selected for discussion were drawn from the consistent finding in each forum that there is an increased need for regional exercising.
- Panel 3 – Future Technologies - The final Future Technologies Panel will also bring together selected representatives from federal, state, and local government, along with higher education and the private sector. The questions that have been selected for discussion were drawn from the findings in previous events as well as a future looking perspective.
Evening reception – 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Dinner - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday, September 9th - 8:30 am - 4:00 pm - Invitation Only

RECCWG Meeting
Private Working Group Meeting
Working Group Strategic Plan and Project Development

AGENDA

Click Here to Download

SPONSOR INFORMATION:
Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies or organizations to showcase research, projects, products, solutions and services to this senior-level audience. For more information, or to create your own custom sponsorship package, please contact Paula Copperthite at 301-928-6674 or paula.copperthite@ahcusa.org .

Registration

Registration fees are:

State/Local Government Employees: complimentary (but must register)
Non-profit Organizations, Academia and Federal Government: $350 per person
Private Sector & Government Contractors: $500 per person (AHC member discounts apply)

Payment can be made via credit card, check, or PayPal. Please register as soon as possible, as registration will be limited to 125 attendees. For questions regarding registration or your member discount, contact Marcie Grabau at marcie.grabau@ahcusa.org.

LOCATION:
Atlantic Sands Hotel
101 North Boardwalk
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302-227-2511
http://www.atlanticsandshotel.com/

This oceanfront hotel is offering a room rate of $84 plus tax per night. Please call 800-422-0600 by September 2 and ask for “All Hazards Consortium” to get this rate. The hotel is offering complimentary parking for workshop attendees (the hotel entrance and parking garage is 1 block north of Rehoboth Avenue.) Please note that the hotel charges a $25 room cancellation fee, and no cancellations are accepted within 72 hours of the check-in date.

For more information, email info@ahcusa.org