SIEC
Background

The Washington State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), a permanent sub-committee of the Information Services Board (ISB), was formed by legislation effective on July 1, 2003. It was the intent of the legislature that the state's considerable investment in radio communications facilities, and spectrum licensed to the state would be managed in such a way as to ensure economic efficiencies by coordinated planning, development and management. It is the belief of the Legislature, as well as the SIEC membership that such coordination is essential for disaster preparedness, emergency management, and public safety. Coordination would also result in more cost-effective use of the state's resources and will improve government services at all levels.

Challenge
Public safety officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers are severely hampered in their ability to effectively respond in a coordinated manner to crimes, disasters, fires and medical emergencies because their communications systems are often incompatible.

An article in the April 2000 edition of the National Institute of Justice Journal stated: “Public safety agencies report that incompatible radio frequency [equipment]… and limited funding to update equipment are their biggest problems.”

Facts:

• One in three public safety agencies have experienced operational difficulties due to lack of wireless interoperability.
• More jurisdictions have invested in different, incompatible wireless technologies.
• Public safety communication is spread over ten bands of spectrum.
• Washington's diverse geography presents logistical problems.

This results in:

• Increased risk to life and property due to unavailability of safety/medical personnel (unable to receive coordinated emergency instructions; staff occupied with duplicative training)
• Increased costs (emergency vehicles requiring multiple radios; additional training; no leverage for aggregated purchasing discounts)

Call to action
In the near future, the following actions may be taken:

• Seek partnerships between state and local agencies
• Develop a wireless communications plan for Washington state
• Identify funding resources
• Establish emergency technology standards
• Make coordinated investments in statewide systems

Approach
Interoperability is an essential communication link with public safety and public service communications systems, which permits units from two or more different entities to interact with one another. It also allows the exchange of information according to a prescribed method to achieve predictable results.

The SIEC was created during the 2003 legislative session to:

• Develop policies for technical standards for state wireless radio communications systems.
• Coordinate and manage the licensing and use of state-designed and state-licensed radio frequencies.
• Serve as point of contact for the state and Federal Communications Commission on maters relating to allocations, use and licensing of radio spectrum.
• Seek support, including possible federal funding or other funding, for state-sponsored wireless communications systems.
• Develop recommendations for legislation that may be required to promote interoperability of state wireless communications systems.
• Foster cooperation and coordination among public safety and emergency response organizations.
• Work with wireless communications groups and associations to ensure interoperability among all public safety emergency response wireless communications systems.