First Responders Convene for Hands-On Experience with Pennsylvania Public Safety Radio Network

First Responders Convene for Hands-On Experience with Pennsylvania Public Safety Radio Network

Learn How PA-STARNet System Was Successfully Used During G-20 Summit

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First responders from around the state gathered today to get hands-on experience during the statewide interoperability conference. The conference included emergency communications exercises designed to allow local officials to explore the ways they can take advantage of PASTARNet - the commonwealth's public safety radio system.

Recently, the STARNet system provided the backbone for all communications during the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. The system allowed federal agencies, state and local police, as well as Allegheny County, the city of Pittsburgh, and emergency medical personnel to work together using a single communication tool.

"We're meeting to hear from county and other local officials about their plans and the challenges they confront in making sure that all first responders - local, state and federal - can communicate seamlessly in any type of emergency," said Charlie Brennan, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Public Safety Radio Services. "We have a robust statewide network and our G-20 experience demonstrates the system's tremendous capability."

Roughly 250 first responders and local officials attended the third annual conference hosted by the Office of Public Safety Radio Services. Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Sischo, Deputy Adjutant General for Air Operations for the Pennsylvania National Guard spoke on interoperability and the importance of communications in a post 9/11 climate.

"It is incumbent upon all of us to remain steadfast and train and equip our people with the PASTARNet system," said Sischo. "As we look to the future, we will continue to increase safety and efficiency."

The STARNet system processed more than 100,000 calls during the G-20 summit, far and away the heaviest use for a single event in the system's history. The PA State Police was the largest user. PSP relied on the network to coordinate communications between police on the ground and PSP helicopters and airplanes.

Security personnel on the ground were able to view video feeds from aircraft to monitor the movements of protesters. The 'full motion video' capability is a first for the system and was an essential tool. In all, six state agencies, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, every hospital emergency room in the region and several federal agencies were linked together on the network.

The G-20 summit is the kind of event where the STARNet system provides the critical ability for federal, state, and local officials to communicate in order to maintain public safety.

Interoperability conference attendees participated in an exercise that featured a disaster scenario at a popular music festival. The goals for this year's conference include:

-- Developing and promoting a common vision of interoperable
communications in Pennsylvania;
-- Understanding PASTARNet capabilities and role in achieving
interoperable communications;
-- Gaining awareness and understanding of key technology for
interoperable communications using PASTARNet;
-- Promoting the development and refinement of a body of common policies
and standard operating procedures for the effective use of
interoperable communications;
-- Understanding of key interoperability policies and practices such as
the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command
System (ICS);
-- Evaluating, discussing, and improving interoperability methods and
policies through communications exercise outcomes and other measures;
-- Understanding best practices for securing and administering grant
funding for establishing and expanding interoperable communications
capabilities;

-- Clarifying county and local interoperability requirements and the role
of the commonwealth in achieving interoperable public safety
communications.

PA-STARNet is one of the largest public safety communications systems in North America, and is one of the largest private microwave networks anywhere. It is used by state and local government agencies and business partners for agency dispatch and mobile voice and data communication for public safety and emergency response.

Source: Pennsylvania Office of Administration

CONTACT: Mia DeVane of the Pennsylvania Office of Administration,
+1-717-783-1116

Web Site: http://www.state.pa.us/

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