Please complete the following sections just once.
Portfolio Narrative: (not to exceed 1 page)
Nebraska’s interoperable emergency communications system involves the creation of eight regional interoperable communications systems that will connect to a communications backbone that will become the statewide communications system for state agencies called the Nebraska Wireless Interoperability Network (N-WIN). The creation of this statewide system will require planning, training and exercises to create the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inter and intra regional statewide interoperable communications. This will include training dispatchers and all users of the system on the software solution and equipment required to make this occur as well as exercising and evaluating the interoperability of this system.Nebraska has four priorities related to meeting needs in planning, training and exercising for interoperable emergency communications in 2009.
Priority 1:Continued development of practical, working governance structures at state and regional levels that are fully integrated with each other.
Priority 2:Continued development and adoption of rules governing the use and interconnectivity of the network.
Priority 3: Continued development of a culture of planning across emergency communications stakeholders.
Priority 4:Training and exercising with stakeholders to increase competencies in use of interoperable emergency communications in Nebraska.
The governance structure overseeing the projects funded by the IECGP grant will be the Nebraska Council of Regions (NCOR) which was established under Executive Order # 08-04 and signed by the Governor with representatives from each of the states eight PET/Communications regions, Nebraska Public Power District and the N-WIN as its membership. The above groups have been deeply involved in the planning and development of interoperability in Nebraska.
Stakeholder input and prioritization was accomplished in four ways. 1) The Nebraska Council of Regions (NCOR) representing state agencies, first responder and emergency communications professionals identified priorities for standard operating procedures; 2) The Regional Interoperability Advisory Board (RIAB) prioritized planning and implementation phases of statewide implementation of interoperability infrastructure; 3) Representatives from PET regions met in December 2008 and prioritized regional planning efforts; 4) A summary of the two proposed statewide priority projects were then sent to state emergency managers via a web-based survey tool to capture comments and suggestions prior to submission of this application.
Nebraska will not be using any of the IECGP funding for M&A expenditures.
Portfolio Budget: (not to exceed 1 page)
Include a breakdown of all FY 2009 IECGP funds by project name and the Management and Administration amount withheld at the State or Territory level. In addition, the State or Territory must outline how it intends to meet the pass-through requirement. The pass-through requirement will be monitored via the Grants Reporting Tool (GRT) throughout the grant’s period of performance.
Portfolio Budget / Total Cost
State or Territory M&A (up to 3%) / N/A
If the State or Territory intends to use M&A funding, it must provide a summary and justification of anticipated expenditures in the Portfolio Narrative.
State or Territory supported projects / $ 62,264.
Project Name: / Project #1 Governance Structures & Protocols/NCOR / Project Cost: / $44,989.
Project Name: / Project #2 Regional Planning / Project Cost: / $17,275.
Local pass-through projects (80%) / $ 261,931.
Project Name: / Project #1 Governance Structure & Protocols. / Project Cost: / $ N/A
Project Name: / Project #2 Regional Planning capabilities build out / Project Cost: / $280,011.
Total IECGP Funds / $324.195.
FY 2009 IECGP, Project #[1], Project Name
Please complete the following sections for each individual project.
IECGP Objective: (not to exceed a ½ page)The primary objective of project #1 is to continue development of the Nebraska governance structures responsible for development and implementation of common protocols and procedures for interoperable communications.
The overarching governance structure for interoperable communications is established by a gubernatorial executive order. This group carries on the work previously done by two separate entities (Nebraska Council of Regions and the Regional Interoperability Advisory Board). Regional governance structures for planning, exercising and training have been established through memorandums of understanding or inter-local agreements. The proposed project will continue the development of governance structures through a partnership with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center. The Public Policy Center has been actively working with state and regional groups to ensure that governance structures are practical, sustainable and integrate regional and state priorities.
This project will address Nebraska’s priorities (Narrative #1, #2 and #4) in establishing practical, working governance structures by ensuring interoperable communications procedures/protocols are developed, tested and adopted statewide. The project will include facilitated work with state and regional governance structures to ensure development of protocols for interconnectivity of PSAP’s, delivery of integrated technical assistance with state and regional governance structures to plan for implementation of protocols and procedures including assessment of training needs, identification of training resources, planning for the integration of interoperable communication network use in exercises and planning for the involvement of communication user communities in governance activities.
1
Alignment to IECGP Priority Groups:
Please select the Priority Group and Objective(s) to which this project aligns:
Priority Group 1, Leadership and Governance and Common Planning and Operational Protocols.
Establishment of formal interoperable emergency communications governance structures;
Establishment of common planning and operational protocols.
Or:
Priority Group 2 Emergency Responder Skills and Capabilities.
Enhancement of emergency responder skills and capabilities through training and exercises.
For State/Territory-level Projects Only:
Per FY 2009 IECGP funding objectives, State and Territory level applicants are expected to prioritize Priority 1 Group, Leadership and Governance and Common Planning and Operational Protocols, objectives over Priority Group 2. If applicants are unable to check all of the following boxes, it is expected that FY 2009 IECGP funds be directed to meet these minimum expectations prior to choosing Priority Group 2 projects.
The State or Territory has a formal statewide interoperable emergency communications governance committee, consistent with the FY 2007 Statewide Planning Criteria, which has:
Representation from each public safety discipline;
Representation across each level of government: Federal, State, local, and tribal (if applicable);
Representation from each region within the State or Territory (as applicable, and/or defined in the SCIP);
Executive or legislative authority and a formal charter.
Please also verify the following:
The State or Territory has hired a full-time statewide interoperability coordinator with sufficient capabilities/resources (e.g., project management, technical expertise) to effectively execute his/her mission, consistent with the FY 2007 Statewide Planning Criteria.
If not, please provide an explanation of why and how the State or Territory intends on ensuring SCIP implementation efforts are effectively coordinated statewide.
The State or Territory has developed SOPs that demonstrate consistent use of interoperability channels, plain language protocols, common channel naming; and
The State or Territory has developed SOPs that demonstrate compliance with NIMS ICS.
For State/Territory and Local level Projects:
Per FY 2009 IECGP funding objectives, the applicant has the flexibility to use IECGP funds to purchase interoperable emergency communications equipment if and only if it has achieved or will achieve all of the above listed expectations for Priority Group 1 and the following Priority Group 2 objectives:
The State, Territory, and/or pass-through recipientshave demonstrated compliance with NECP Goal 1 through preparation of approved incident and exercise AAR; and
The State or Territory has completed a State-level multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency training and exercise event. (Not applicable to pass-through recipients)
If the State, Territory, and/or pass-through recipient plans to use IECGP funds to purchase interoperable emergency communications equipment, it must certify the following:
The State, Territory, and/or pass-through recipient certifies that it has achieved or will achieve both Priority Group 1 and 2 objectives.
Alignment to SCIP Goals, Objectives, and/or Initiatives: (not to exceed 1 page)
The SCIP integrates the efforts of the Governor’s Homeland Security Policy Group (HSGP), the OCIO-Division of Communications, RIAB and NCOR to establish statewide operability and interoperability leadership and governance throughout the eight Planning, Exercise and Training (PET)-Communications regions (refer to SCIP section 4.1 Governance Structure pages 37-41).
The RIAB created four major goals, which were detailed in an interim report and summarized below:
1)Assist in the formalization of the interoperable communications regions.
- The State formalizes the regional communications areas; both local and state regions must engage in contractual agreements.
- The State establishes and funds a statewide interoperability committee to support, plan and coordinate regional interoperability.
3)Provide guidance to integrate state public safety agencies as a peer region into the network of statewide communications capabilities.
4)Promote an on-going understanding, coordination and allocation of communications resources available to respond to a disaster.
These needs/goals are referenced further in the SCIPs Executive Overview pages iii – vi.
As RIAB’s statutory authority sunsets in 2009 a need exists to create and sustain an overarching governance structure for the statewide interoperable communications system folds state agency, regional, local and tribal users together as peers. Funding from the FY 2009 IECGP grant will fill/meet those identified gaps/goals.
Priority and Need / Leadership and Governance
Related Goal (s) / Governance, (SCIP Section Exec Overview: Page iii-vi): Continue development of working governance structures at state and regional levels. Development of protocols/operating procedures
Related Objective(s) / Standard Operating Procedures, (SCIP Section 5.3: Page 49-51): Functional interoperable communications.
Related Strategic Initiative(s) / Strategic Initiative:Establish statewide interop, (SCIP Section 5.3: Page 49-51): Governance/SOP’s/Training and exercising.
Alignment to TICP AAR, or other Assessment/Tool: (not to exceed a ½ page)
All State and local TICPs were finalized and published by December 2007 (TICPs are addressed in the SCIP section 2.1.3 UASI AREAS/TIC PLANS page 21).The State TICP has yet to be exercised so an AAR has not been completed. Interoperable communications begins at the local level by developing the ability for each county within a region to communicate with other counties within the same region. The natural communications flow progresses upward as each region develops the ability to communicate with neighboring regions. The eight PET regions plus the State peer region will interconnect through the State agency communications system. State agencies lag behind most of the county and regional agencies due to technological and economic limitations. However, the development and coordination of eight PET regions statewide and the concept of the State as a “peer region”, combined with a bottom up approach which utilizes the already mature regional communications systems and agreements as the foundation for the new State communications system, has put Nebraska on track to achieve true statewide interoperability by 2010.
Funding from the PSIC grant will provide for hardware solutions to some of these problems, but funding from the IECGP grant will aid in establishing the governance and regional interoperability training to help provide a useable system.
Governance: (not to exceed a ½ page)
The eight PET-Communications Regions have formalized their leadership and governance structures through signed memorandums of understanding or inter-local agreements. Each of these regional boards has been working with NEMA and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center to create practical, working governance structures. The objective of this project was developed with input from the regional and state groups. It is a continuation of work in progress that will knit together regional structures without compromising the need for each board to meet local/regional communication needs. The State has taken initial steps to establish an overarching governance body to lead the statewide interoperable communications system and fold the state agency and regional, local and tribal jurisdictions together as peer users. The objective will continue to be communicated to the governance committee through regularly scheduled meetings. This project will provide funding to strengthen the governance structures for the regions and the state-wide system of systems. NEMA will partner with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center to provide technical assistance to state and regional governance groups as they work towards sustainable, practical implementation of interoperable emergency communications.
Performance Measure(s) and Basis of Evaluation: (not to exceed a ½ page)
The performance measures that will be used to evaluate this project’s impact will be:
- The establishment of leadership and bylaws for the Statewide Governance structure – basis of evaluation: functioning leadership and formal adoption of bylaws
- Completion of the formalization of the Regional Governance structures – basis of evaluation: formal adoption by regional groups of rules for governance
- Development, adoption and testing of standard operating procedures/protocols directing the use of Nebraska’s interoperable emergency communication system – basis of evaluation: accepted procedures/protocols and one exercise in each region testing them.
Milestones: (not to exceed a ½ page)
December 2009Statewide governance structure formally adopts bylaws
February 2010All regional governance structures have functioning work
rules/bylaws
March 2010Drafts of PSAP interconnectivity protocols are available
July 2010PSAP interconnectivity protocols are tested
October 2010PSAP interconnectivity protocols are finalized
Challenges/Risks: (not to exceed a ½ page)
The greatest challenge in this project is balancing local/regional/tribal needs with the needs of state agency communication system users. The governance structures of urban, rural and frontier areas differ. Incorporating standard expectations, procedures and protocols for interoperable communications in each of these areas must take into account the variety of every day emergency communication needs in addition to catastrophic scenarios. Regional autonomy must be balanced with the need for consistency with the State’s vision. Keeping tribal/local/regional and state agencies engaged in the governance process and interaction is critical to successful governance. Maintaining a balance of power among the representatives in both the regional and the statewide governance structures continues to be a challenge.
Project Budget: (not to exceed 1 page)
The budget costs were determined by estimating the contractor time involved in continuing the facilitationof the meetings, workshops and planning sessions required to complete and support the governance structures for the regions, NCOR and to facilitate the creation of protocols and Standard Operating Procedures for inter and intra regional interoperable communications.
Anticipated Expenditures (by Allowable Cost Category) / Cost
Planning:
E.g., Personnel / $ N/A
E.g., Contract Support / $ 44,989.
Total Planning Costs / $ 44,989.
Training:
E.g., Number trained and training cost per person / $ N/A
Total Training Costs / $N/A
Exercises:
E.g., Overtime/Backfill / $N/A
E.g., Travel. / $N/A
Total Exercise Costs / $N/A
Personnel:
E.g., Estimated Salary and Benefits / $N/A
Total Personnel Costs / $ N/A
Equipment:
E.g., Interoperable Emergency Communications Equipment / $ N/A
Total Equipment Costs / $ N/A
Equipment Cost Share: (if applicable)
Cost share amount (25% of total project cost) / $ N/A
Cost share source (E.g., State, local)
Cost share category (E.g., cash, in-kind)
M&A (up to 3%): / $ N/A
E.g., Hiring of staff to assist with the management of IECGP / $00
Total Project Cost: / $ 44,989.
Bi-annual Activities:
1st Bi-annual Activity (Year 1) / Expected Outcome: (not to exceed a ¼ page)
- Statewide governance structure formally adopts bylaws
- All regional governance structures have functioning work rules/bylaws
2nd Bi-annual Activity (Year 1) / Expected Outcome: (not to exceed a ¼ page)
- Drafts of PSAP interconnectivity protocols are available
- Training needs of system users are assessed
- PSAP interconnectivity protocols are tested
3rd Bi-annual Activity (Year 2) / Expected Outcome: (not to exceed a ¼ page)
- Governance structures are meeting on a regular basis to monitor implementation of standard operating procedures and protocols
4th Bi-annual Activity (Year 2) / Expected Outcome: (not to exceed a ¼ page)
- Activities are expected to be completed in year 1 – continuation of activities may occur if unexpected challenges disrupt the anticipated time table for implementation
FY 2009 IECGP, Project #[2], Project Name
Please complete the following sections for each individual project.
IECGP Objective: (not to exceed a ½ page) The primary objective of project #2 is to continue development of Nebraska’s planning capabilities related to integration of interoperable emergency communications with local, state and tribal user communities.
This project will address Nebraska’s priorities (Narrative #3 and #4) in continuing development of a culture of planning across emergency communications stakeholders to ensure interoperable communications procedures/protocols are developed, tested and adopted statewide.This project represents a continuation of planning activities begun in 2008. A PlanningAcademy was conducted in December 2008 to begin developing planning leaders in each communications region and within state agencies. Regional participants were charged with leading sustainable planning initiatives to support development of interoperable emergency communications across the state. State agency participants agreed to further planning for state user communities in synchrony with regional planning initiatives. The first activity includes networking planning academy participants together and enhancing their ability to pass on planning expertise to their peers. Past participants will be assisted by the PublicPolicyCenter as they plan, prepare and deliver the planning academy experience to new participants. The second activity is mentored planning activity in each region and at the state level. Planning academy graduates will be mentored by experienced planners and supported by Public Policy Center personnel as they engage in communications planning. The third activity includes planning for implementation of procedures and protocols with user communities. This includes assessment of training needs, identification of resources to meet needs and planning for sustained delivery of appropriate training in user communities.