CISA has published the executive summaries from the Fall 2023 Joint SAFECOM-NCSWIC Bi-Annual Meeting, held in Cape Coral, Florida, from December 4-7, 2023. This gathering brought together stakeholders in public safety communications to discuss interoperability enhancement and cybersecurity challenges.
‘Multiple in-house sessions covered updates on elections and a workshop on interstate interoperability. Discussions included an overview of CISA’s Technical Assistance (TA) offerings, addressing real-world communication challenges like Hurricanes Idalia and Ian and the Curry County cyberattack.
Key Highlights from SAFECOM and NCSWIC Annual Meeting
A pivotal highlight was the comprehensive overview of CISA’s Technical Assistance (TA), exploring criteria, processes, timelines, and regional barriers to effective implementation. The event also shared information into the real-world public safety communication challenges and successes, spotlighting responses to critical incidents such as Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, and the cyberattack in Curry County, Oregon.
- Source: CISA
During the joint session day, attendees were briefed on CISA’s strategic focus areas, with a particular emphasis on collaborating with public safety stakeholders to tackle communication interoperability and cybersecurity issues. Real-world scenarios, including responses to the Maui wildfires and the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, highlighted the crucial role of seamless communication in emergency response operations.
Updates on Link Layer Encryption (LLE) and the ongoing deployment efforts of Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems were also key topics of discussion. The implications of open artificial intelligence tools and emerging technologies in land mobile radio (LMR) systems were explored, highlighting their potential to advance public safety capabilities.
Link Layer Encryption (LLE) is a method of securing data at the network’s physical layer, ensuring it remains encrypted as it travels between network devices. It operates at the data link layer of the OSI model, safeguarding data from interception and unauthorized access during transmission across networks.
While NG911 is an IP-based system replacing analog 911, improving emergency response with faster, multimedia-capable communication. Upgrading nationwide PSAPs requires coordination among emergency services, legislation, and governance, with ongoing progress tracked by the National 911 Program.
Global Collaboration Across Different Sectors
The event provided independent sessions provide members with updates on committee activities, legislative developments impacting public safety communications, and the evolving roles of telecommunicators in the face of advancing 911 technologies. The meeting also featured insights from new SAFECOM associations, such as the American Radio Relay League, and initiatives from the First Responder Network Authority aimed at shaping the future of emergency communications.
In addition to plenary meetings, various sub-groups met to further collaborate on identified work products. These groups included the NCSWIC Academy, SAFECOM School, Next Generation 911 Working Group, Project 25 User Needs Working Group, and several committees focused on governance, funding, and sustainability.
The Fall 2023 SAFECOM-NCSWIC Joint Bi-Annual Meeting served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge and reinforce commitments to improving nationwide emergency communications. The outcomes of this gathering are expected to influence future policies and practices, driving innovation and resilience in public safety communication systems across the United States.