Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program Current Status – November 2015
Working in conjunction with Communitites, Government, Agencies and Business Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
1
Acknowledgements
Probity To deliver on the project objectives in a fair way for all industry participants, Government is committed to ensuring that probity is adhered to by government and industry participants. For government participants this includes restrictions on contact with industry participants Readers of the Emergency Management Operational Communications Program must familiarise themselves with the associated Probity Framework, available at:http://www.emv.vic.gov.au
You are free to re-use this work under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence, provided you credit the State of Victoria (Emergency Management Victoria) as author, indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including Government logos. If2 you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format please email [email protected] Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Introduction The Emergency Management Operational Communications Program provides the 2025 operational communications vision of Victoria’s emergency management sectors and the high level plan to achieve it. The 10-15 year plan aims to transform the sector’s communications capability to meet future demand by utilising the latest mobile radio and data technologies.
A description of the overall Emergency Management Operational Communications Program, covering its objectives, scope and benefits is provided in the accompanying document. The Emergency Management Operational Communications Program will be implemented through phased, discrete projects, each of which will be subject to a separate business case. Several aligned projects are either already completed, or currently underway. Each project moves the sector closer towards the final Emergency Management Operational Communications Program vision. This document, which will be updated regularly, describes the current status of all activities aligned to the Emergency Management Operational Communications Program, including completed projects, projects currently underway, and proposed projects.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
3
Operational Communications Program Roadmap to 2025
TODAY
HORIZON 1
Objectives
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
Governance
4
Leverage centralised governance, procurement and investment planning services through Emergency Management Victoria.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
This three horizon phasing will help manage risk and delivery in a way that is achievable for the sector, government and community. The following pages detail current projects, plans and activities.
HORIZON 3
HORIZON 2
Enhance broadband data access across State – investing to increase capacity and coverage.
Evaluate options for transition to single network solution.
Maintain separate voice network.
Optimise networks.
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 public safety grade broadband data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 public safety grade broadband data and voice + specialist networks
4 5
6 7
3
3. The broadband data footprint will be scaled state-wide and enhanced to meet public safety grade standards. 4. Transition paging services onto the broadband data service OR the voice and narrow band network, pending options assessment. 5. Transition all mission critical narrowband data and voice to a dedicated state-wide network.
6. Transition business critical data and voice to public safety grade broadband services. 7. Into the future, there will be a public safety grade broadband service for business critical voice and data capabilities, supplemented by a mission critical voice and narrowband network to meet redundancy and fall back needs.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
5
Horizon 1 Consolidate Voice and Narrowband Data
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
6
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Regional Radio Dispatch Service (Regional Mobile Radio)
Victoria Police Regional Radio Upgrade
Status: Complete
Status: In Progress
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has created a world-class digital radio system outside of the current Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) coverage footprint, which provides reliable 24/7 communications between the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) dispatchers and responding CFA appliances. Implementation was completed in August 2014. CFA is now in the process of transitioning its remaining radio operations, including command, to the network.
The Victoria Police Regional Radio Upgrade Initiative was funded $11.5 million in the 2015-16 State Budget. The initiative responds to long standing concerns that out-dated radios used by police in regional Victoria allow members of the public to listen in on police operations, via a smartphone app or scanner, potentially compromising the safety of country police officers and the community. A further $23.8 million for the project will be reprioritised from existing funding, sourced primarily from the retirement of the legacy analogue service.
Importantly, the new state contract, referred to as Regional Mobile Radio (RMR), creates opportunities for police and other emergency services to utilise the network in future to solve inter-agency and metropolitan/regional interoperability issues.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Compliance Status: In Progress
As part of the two year project, Victoria Police will transition to RMR, which is technically interoperable with the MMR service used by Police in metropolitan areas and Geelong, and shut down operations on the existing analogue networks. Victoria Police will also procure digital encrypted radios, using the service arrangement established by the ACMA Compliance initiative,
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Compliance Initiative was funded $24.6 million in the 2013-14 State Budget to ensure that a number of Victorian emergency management agencies are compliant with new Commonwealth regulatory requirements, whilst consolidating their current communications onto shared voice and narrowband networks. The project will see Victorian State Emergency Service, Lifesaving Victoria and the Sheriff’s Office Victoria transition to the RMR and Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) networks, and shut down individual non-compliant radio systems. The project also creates a State purchasing contract for radio terminal services, separate from the existing network arrangements. RFT responses for this service are currently being reviewed by the Project Team.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
7
Horizon 1 Consolidate Voice and Narrowband Data (continued)
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
8
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Radio Network Service Continuity Program Status: In Progress The State’s multi-agency MMR and RMR networks utilise a common radio communications standard and network core, but operate on different radio frequency spectrum bands and under separate commercial arrangements. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications are utilised in metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong (MMR), where greater building penetration is necessary for built up areas. Very High Frequency (VHF) is utilised in regional areas, where longer range communications are required (RMR). A dual band radio will allow a user to roam between UHF and VHF, but MMR and RMR are provided by two different suppliers. A common commercial arrangement is needed to join up the services.
The second phase of the RNSCP, commencing in the second half of 2015, will deliver the business case that supports this market process, and provide continuity of service for the MMR customers. It is vital that the emergency management sector be deeply engaged throughout this stage of the program in order to accurately define medium and long term operational requirements. Chief officers, operational and technical staff from all agencies are part of the program design stage, and will continue to be relied on to successfully deliver Phase 2 of the Program.
The Radio Network Service Continuity Program (RNSCP) will provide continuity of service for the existing MMR customers and enable a migration path to a common, statewide voice and narrowband data network. The first phase of the program determined that the optimal path is to carry out a market process to test the current service arrangements. In the short term, the MMR service will be extended to align and bring the various network agreements to a common timeframe before proceeding to this market process. In addition to MMR continuity, the project will also address continuity of the EAS service.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
9
Horizon 1 Narrowband Data Network Transition
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
10
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Mobile Data Network (MDN) Upgrade and Transformation Project Status: In Progress The State recently renegotiated a flexible shorter term two-year extension with two one year options to extend the MDN narrowband data service provided by Motorola currently via a dedicated narrowband network. The new MDN arrangements provide options for third party broadband (3G/LTE) data services that leverage offerings from commercial carriers. This will enable the provision of broadband data services to all agencies across the greater metropolitan and major regional area covering in excess of 95 per cent of the Victorian population and major highways, as well as increased experience in engaging with the commercial carriers to provide Public Safety grade broadband services. The viability of moving some or all of this traffic to the statewide voice and narrowband network will also be considered during this horizon.
The MDN service will also progressively move away from proprietary user devices. A choice of commercial grade, ruggedised tablets and smartphones will be trialled and introduced under the term extension arrangements. Similarly, the new arrangements allow for agencies to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and BYOA (Bring Your Own Application). The separate purchasing arrangements are important to the State’s strategy of disaggregating network arrangements from terminals and applications to foster a competitive environment. The new MDN arrangements were negotiated within current funding arrangements to achieve Value for Money for the State.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
11
Horizon 1 Broadband Data
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
12
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)
Mobile Blackspots
Status: In Progress
Status: In Progress
Victoria has been working with the Commonwealth and other States and Territories since 2011 to plan for a nationally interoperable PSMB capability for Australia’s public safety agencies (PSAs). State and Territory governments do not consider the Commonwealth's currently proposed allocation of 10MHz of dedicated spectrum for a PSMB capability to be sufficient to meet the current and future needs of PSAs. Victoria continues to contend a minimum allocation of 20MHz is necessary. The Productivity Commission is currently undertaking a cost-benefit analysis on spectrum allocation to determine the most efficient, effective and economical way of delivering the PSMB capability by 2020. Victoria submitted a whole of government response to the Productivity Commission's draft report on 19 November 2015. The Productivity Commission's final report is due to be delivered to the Commonwealth Government in December 2015.
On 25 June 2015, the Government announced a major project to construct 109 mobile towers across regional Victoria over the next three years, reducing communication blackspots and improving mobile phone coverage in rural and regional Victoria. This follows a successful joint bid by the Victorian Government and Telstra to the Commonwealth Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme (MBSP). The Emergency Management Commissioner played a significant role in ensuring bushfire prone areas were included in Victoria’s submission to the MBSP. In April 2015, the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Telstra to ensure that MBSP investment in rural and regional Victoria is maximised.
Securing dedicated spectrum through the PSMB work is vital to achieve the vision outlined in the Emergency Management Operational Communications Program of establishing a statewide, sector-wide broadband capability.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
13
Working in conjunction with Communitites, Government, Agencies and Business Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
1
Acknowledgements
Probity To deliver on the project objectives in a fair way for all industry participants, Government is committed to ensuring that probity is adhered to by government and industry participants. For government participants this includes restrictions on contact with industry participants Readers of the Emergency Management Operational Communications Program must familiarise themselves with the associated Probity Framework, available at:http://www.emv.vic.gov.au
You are free to re-use this work under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence, provided you credit the State of Victoria (Emergency Management Victoria) as author, indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including Government logos. If2 you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format please email [email protected] Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Introduction The Emergency Management Operational Communications Program provides the 2025 operational communications vision of Victoria’s emergency management sectors and the high level plan to achieve it. The 10-15 year plan aims to transform the sector’s communications capability to meet future demand by utilising the latest mobile radio and data technologies.
A description of the overall Emergency Management Operational Communications Program, covering its objectives, scope and benefits is provided in the accompanying document. The Emergency Management Operational Communications Program will be implemented through phased, discrete projects, each of which will be subject to a separate business case. Several aligned projects are either already completed, or currently underway. Each project moves the sector closer towards the final Emergency Management Operational Communications Program vision. This document, which will be updated regularly, describes the current status of all activities aligned to the Emergency Management Operational Communications Program, including completed projects, projects currently underway, and proposed projects.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
3
Operational Communications Program Roadmap to 2025
TODAY
HORIZON 1
Objectives
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
Governance
4
Leverage centralised governance, procurement and investment planning services through Emergency Management Victoria.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
This three horizon phasing will help manage risk and delivery in a way that is achievable for the sector, government and community. The following pages detail current projects, plans and activities.
HORIZON 3
HORIZON 2
Enhance broadband data access across State – investing to increase capacity and coverage.
Evaluate options for transition to single network solution.
Maintain separate voice network.
Optimise networks.
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 public safety grade broadband data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 public safety grade broadband data and voice + specialist networks
4 5
6 7
3
3. The broadband data footprint will be scaled state-wide and enhanced to meet public safety grade standards. 4. Transition paging services onto the broadband data service OR the voice and narrow band network, pending options assessment. 5. Transition all mission critical narrowband data and voice to a dedicated state-wide network.
6. Transition business critical data and voice to public safety grade broadband services. 7. Into the future, there will be a public safety grade broadband service for business critical voice and data capabilities, supplemented by a mission critical voice and narrowband network to meet redundancy and fall back needs.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
5
Horizon 1 Consolidate Voice and Narrowband Data
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
6
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Regional Radio Dispatch Service (Regional Mobile Radio)
Victoria Police Regional Radio Upgrade
Status: Complete
Status: In Progress
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has created a world-class digital radio system outside of the current Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) coverage footprint, which provides reliable 24/7 communications between the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) dispatchers and responding CFA appliances. Implementation was completed in August 2014. CFA is now in the process of transitioning its remaining radio operations, including command, to the network.
The Victoria Police Regional Radio Upgrade Initiative was funded $11.5 million in the 2015-16 State Budget. The initiative responds to long standing concerns that out-dated radios used by police in regional Victoria allow members of the public to listen in on police operations, via a smartphone app or scanner, potentially compromising the safety of country police officers and the community. A further $23.8 million for the project will be reprioritised from existing funding, sourced primarily from the retirement of the legacy analogue service.
Importantly, the new state contract, referred to as Regional Mobile Radio (RMR), creates opportunities for police and other emergency services to utilise the network in future to solve inter-agency and metropolitan/regional interoperability issues.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Compliance Status: In Progress
As part of the two year project, Victoria Police will transition to RMR, which is technically interoperable with the MMR service used by Police in metropolitan areas and Geelong, and shut down operations on the existing analogue networks. Victoria Police will also procure digital encrypted radios, using the service arrangement established by the ACMA Compliance initiative,
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Compliance Initiative was funded $24.6 million in the 2013-14 State Budget to ensure that a number of Victorian emergency management agencies are compliant with new Commonwealth regulatory requirements, whilst consolidating their current communications onto shared voice and narrowband networks. The project will see Victorian State Emergency Service, Lifesaving Victoria and the Sheriff’s Office Victoria transition to the RMR and Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) networks, and shut down individual non-compliant radio systems. The project also creates a State purchasing contract for radio terminal services, separate from the existing network arrangements. RFT responses for this service are currently being reviewed by the Project Team.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
7
Horizon 1 Consolidate Voice and Narrowband Data (continued)
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
8
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Radio Network Service Continuity Program Status: In Progress The State’s multi-agency MMR and RMR networks utilise a common radio communications standard and network core, but operate on different radio frequency spectrum bands and under separate commercial arrangements. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications are utilised in metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong (MMR), where greater building penetration is necessary for built up areas. Very High Frequency (VHF) is utilised in regional areas, where longer range communications are required (RMR). A dual band radio will allow a user to roam between UHF and VHF, but MMR and RMR are provided by two different suppliers. A common commercial arrangement is needed to join up the services.
The second phase of the RNSCP, commencing in the second half of 2015, will deliver the business case that supports this market process, and provide continuity of service for the MMR customers. It is vital that the emergency management sector be deeply engaged throughout this stage of the program in order to accurately define medium and long term operational requirements. Chief officers, operational and technical staff from all agencies are part of the program design stage, and will continue to be relied on to successfully deliver Phase 2 of the Program.
The Radio Network Service Continuity Program (RNSCP) will provide continuity of service for the existing MMR customers and enable a migration path to a common, statewide voice and narrowband data network. The first phase of the program determined that the optimal path is to carry out a market process to test the current service arrangements. In the short term, the MMR service will be extended to align and bring the various network agreements to a common timeframe before proceeding to this market process. In addition to MMR continuity, the project will also address continuity of the EAS service.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
9
Horizon 1 Narrowband Data Network Transition
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
10
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Mobile Data Network (MDN) Upgrade and Transformation Project Status: In Progress The State recently renegotiated a flexible shorter term two-year extension with two one year options to extend the MDN narrowband data service provided by Motorola currently via a dedicated narrowband network. The new MDN arrangements provide options for third party broadband (3G/LTE) data services that leverage offerings from commercial carriers. This will enable the provision of broadband data services to all agencies across the greater metropolitan and major regional area covering in excess of 95 per cent of the Victorian population and major highways, as well as increased experience in engaging with the commercial carriers to provide Public Safety grade broadband services. The viability of moving some or all of this traffic to the statewide voice and narrowband network will also be considered during this horizon.
The MDN service will also progressively move away from proprietary user devices. A choice of commercial grade, ruggedised tablets and smartphones will be trialled and introduced under the term extension arrangements. Similarly, the new arrangements allow for agencies to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and BYOA (Bring Your Own Application). The separate purchasing arrangements are important to the State’s strategy of disaggregating network arrangements from terminals and applications to foster a competitive environment. The new MDN arrangements were negotiated within current funding arrangements to achieve Value for Money for the State.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
11
Horizon 1 Broadband Data
TODAY
Objectives
HORIZON 1
Establish initial broadband network leveraging public and private assets. Commence consolidation to single voice and narrowband data network arrangements.
Network Capabilities 13 voice and narrowband 2 paging 1 data + specialist networks
Migrate to: 1 voice and narrowband 1 paging 1 broadband data+ specialist networks
Paging
1
Narrowband (Voice)
2
Narrowband (Data) Broadband (Data)
Transition Activities
1. Migrate various (agency and state) voice and narrowband networks to a single integrated network operating state-wide. 2. Narrow band data will be enhanced with commercial broadband data.
12
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)
Mobile Blackspots
Status: In Progress
Status: In Progress
Victoria has been working with the Commonwealth and other States and Territories since 2011 to plan for a nationally interoperable PSMB capability for Australia’s public safety agencies (PSAs). State and Territory governments do not consider the Commonwealth's currently proposed allocation of 10MHz of dedicated spectrum for a PSMB capability to be sufficient to meet the current and future needs of PSAs. Victoria continues to contend a minimum allocation of 20MHz is necessary. The Productivity Commission is currently undertaking a cost-benefit analysis on spectrum allocation to determine the most efficient, effective and economical way of delivering the PSMB capability by 2020. Victoria submitted a whole of government response to the Productivity Commission's draft report on 19 November 2015. The Productivity Commission's final report is due to be delivered to the Commonwealth Government in December 2015.
On 25 June 2015, the Government announced a major project to construct 109 mobile towers across regional Victoria over the next three years, reducing communication blackspots and improving mobile phone coverage in rural and regional Victoria. This follows a successful joint bid by the Victorian Government and Telstra to the Commonwealth Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme (MBSP). The Emergency Management Commissioner played a significant role in ensuring bushfire prone areas were included in Victoria’s submission to the MBSP. In April 2015, the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Telstra to ensure that MBSP investment in rural and regional Victoria is maximised.
Securing dedicated spectrum through the PSMB work is vital to achieve the vision outlined in the Emergency Management Operational Communications Program of establishing a statewide, sector-wide broadband capability.
Emergency Management Operational Communications Program
13
