L.R. Kimball

700 MHz D Block Spectrum Allocated to Public Safety - Legislation includes NG9-1-1 funding as well

It appears that Congress is poised to allocate the long awaited and long overdue public safety spectrum. Though nothing has officially been released to this point, sources close to Congress have confirmed that new legislation is being rolled out that will allocate the 700 MHz D Block spectrum to public safety and provide $7 billion in federal funding for the deployment of a nationwide Public Safety broadband LTE network. D Block contains the 10 MHz of spectrum immediately adjacent to that which is already licensed to the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) to first responders across America. The Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) will reside in the full 20 MHz of broadband spectrum necessary to meet current and future needs. Further, it appears that this will come without public safety having to forfeit its existing 700 MHz narrowband spectrum.

It is also reported that the legislation would create an independent First Responder Network Authority to develop the public safety network. The Authority will be housed under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), but will have separate leadership, including a board with public safety, commercial, federal, state and local expertise to oversee the D-Block license and development of the network.

Additionally, the legislation includes a provision for $115 million in funding to support the build-out of Next Generation 9-1-1 technologies and reauthorization of the National 911 Office.

Senator Rockefeller, who was an instrumental player in developing this legislation and who has led the charge for allocation of the spectrum, was quoted as saying,

“This is sort of a huge day for America…Days like this don’t come around very often. This doesn’t cost the taxpayers a dime. It will save endless numbers of lives of first responders. ...With this new high-tech capability, firefighters will be able to instantaneously download floor plans before they go into the buildings to see what they’re up against. Cops will have access to criminal histories before they approach a suspect all on handheld devices which will be available at every level all across the country in one, integrated, truly national first responders communications system. EMTs will be able to communicate potentially life-saving information to doctors in the emergency room before they get there — descriptions and pictures of the wounded. It’s the best kind of reform.”

This legislation is reportedly set to be voted on in the upcoming days as part of a bill that will extend the payroll-tax cut and unemployment benefits — legislation for which there is a looming deadline and heated partisan debate.¹

Download a copy of the proposed legislation (see Section 6000) here: http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20120213/CRPT-112hrpt-HR3630.pdf

There remain a number of questions; however, keep an eye on this blog for updates.

 

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¹ D-Block allocation to public safety is 'done.’ Police Senior Editor Doug Wyllie. http://www.policeone.com/police-products/communications/articles/5098920-D-Block-allocation-to-public-safety-is-done/

Nine Steps Towards Creating a Stormwater Utility or Agency

Across the nation, local government agencies are finding their stormwater systems in disrepair and are fearing that they will soon begin to fail, causing back up problems at homes and businesses.

Managing these stormwater lines and paying for the necessary repairs is a challenge for many agencies that typically do not have a dedicated funding source for stormwater management. 

To offset these challenges, local governments are beginning to form stormwater utilities or agencies that are responsible for enforcing stormwater rate structures and managing stormwater systems. These boards must meet stormwater management requirements mandated by state and federal agencies and provide the stormwater services needed for the municipalities, cities and counties they serve.

These utilities or agencies offer a new solution for local governments who are typically not prepared to address the critical needs of stormwater runoff. Stormwater utilities create a dedicated funding source by generating their revenue through user rates. “Use” of the system is the demand a property places on the stormwater system based n the stormwater runoff from the property. 

Creating a stormwater utility board or agency may be the best approach for many communities; however it requires much collaboration and planning. L.R. Kimball recommends the following steps in creating a stormwater utility or agency:

1. Create an advisory committee
2. Gather information
3. Develop the concept
4. Assess wet weather needs
5. Analyze stormwater funding options and implementation approach
6. Develop billing, collection and enforcement options and procedures
7. Review and assess rate method options
8. Prepare a rate study and cash flow analysis
9. Review stormwater utility implementation steps and schedule

Funding Update: 2011 Grant Guidance for the Homeland Security Grant Program

Blog post by Kevin McGeary on May 20, 2011

The Department of Homeland Security released the new 2011 grant guidance for various programs that fall under the Homeland Security Grant Program, which includes the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), the Metropolitian Medical Response System (MMRS), Stage Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Operation Stoneguard (OPSG) and the Citizen Corps Program (CCP).  More information and details including applications and detailed guidance documents can be found here.

The Homeland Security Grant Program funds a variety of initiatives for building and sustaining national preparedness capabilities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises and management and administration.

Cuts were made to the UASI Program in some of the “Tier 2” areas. Some of the places whose UASI funding was cut or dropped off include the Nashville and Memphis areas, Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, New Orleans, Syracuse and Buffalo.

Altogether, the program went from 64 cities in FY 2010 to 31 cities this year.

Some of the areas in the SHSP and UASI programs that could provide funding opportunities for our clients include priorities on planning, enhancement of fusion centers, homeland security strategy updates and continued development of governance structures.

Project of the Week: Plaquemines Parish Correctional Facility

When Hurricane Katrina pushed across the Gulf in 2005, it struck particularly hard at Plaquemines Parish, caused major damage and destroyed the jail.  Congress quickly appropriated supplemental help for the region, allocating funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the design and construction of a new jail.

L.R. Kimball helped the Plaquemines Parish Sherriff’s Office, who is managing to reconstruction, complete the required paperwork to quickly move the project through the FEMA funding application, review and approval process and kept it moving forward. 

The building design and engineering demanded solid and creative thinking – an innovative permanent structure built on a platform well-situated above the flood plain to mitigate any future impacts resulting from high water events. 

As a result of their efforts, L.R. Kimball played a vital role in helping to secure a FEMA allocation of more than $111 million for the project according to the most recent Project Worksheet.

Other achievements included designing and engineering a facility to meet the Sheriff’s needs and offer protection against future weather-related events, incorporating money-saving design and construction techniques, assisting the project team and FEMA fund a single, permanent jail and reducing future maintenance and repairs costs for the jail.

Let us know what you think of the before and after images!

A Federal Funding Update for the AEC Industry

>>> Guest post contributed by Chris Grady, Federal Analyst

On Friday, April 15, President Obama signed a compromise fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution bill, ending the long-running debate on federal funding for the remainder of the current budget year.

The compromise bill cuts $38.5 billion from Fiscal Year 2010 enacted levels, including significant cuts to infrastructure and in additional road and bridge investments from FY10.

The following highlights some areas of interest to the A/E/C industy:

Federal Highway Administration:
$41.1 billion for highways and bridges, which would be the same level of funding as the FY10 enacted level. The funding level includes a decrease of $650 million in additional road and bridge investments from FY10. It also rescinds $630 million in earmark funding that is over 13 years old and $2.5 billion from unobligated balances of highway contract authority. The TIGER Grant program would receive $528 million, $72 million below FY 10 enacted levels.

An Update on the FAA's Wildlife Hazard Initiative

As we reported last month in an earlier blog post, wildlife and the presence of hazardous attractants pose a serious threat to safe airport operations. 

In order for airports to garner a better understanding of wildlife activity, the FAA instituted formal evaluation processes including the completion of a Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA).

Historically, the FAA required Part 139 certificated airports to complete a WHA if a “triggering” event such as a wildlife strike or wildlife of any size or numbers were observed.  However, in 2009, the FAA initiated rulemaking which would require all Part 139 airports to complete a WHA regardless of a triggering event. The FAA plans to release the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking later this year.

Additionally, late last month, the FAA’s Office of Airports further enforced their commitment to safe airport operations by announcing the initiation of a program encouraging General Aviation (GA) airports to conduct wildlife hazard assessments.  The FAA will support general aviation efforts by making Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding available for these assessments.

In fact, GA airports currently accepting AIP funds will be required to conduct a WHA if necessary.

Interoperability Planning for Radio Communications: A Step-by-Step, Logical Approach

This September will mark the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and public safety radio interoperability still remains a problem in many areas.

This is hard to imagine, especially since the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and other agencies have investment more than $900 million since then.  So, you might wonder, what’s the issue? 

In many areas, investments have been made without an overall strategy or identified goals on the local and regional level.  Some regions are still struggling with where and how to develop a plan or address all of the requirement elements.  Funding for planning and training has been distributed; however, many regions have not taken full advantage of it.

True interoperable communications cannot occur without every component of the interoperability picture coming together.  The components that must be addressed include technology, operating procedures, governance, training and funding.

Here’s a logical, step-by-step process for interoperability planning:

Step 1: Assess and document the current state of where your agency currently stands related to technology, operating procedures, governance, training and funding. Read more on public safety radio inventories.

Step 2: Complete a gap analysis to analyze each of these areas based current state versus desired state.  Identify trends and common issues with your operational assessment and establish priorities.  Document, define and categorize all issues and un-met needs associated with technology, spectrum, SOPs, agreements, training, personnel and knowledge.

We refer to training, governance and SOPs as the “soft side of interoperability.”  Download our white paper on this subject.

The FAA's Wildlife Hazard Initiative: New Program Announced for General Aviation Airports

The bird strike that caused the USAir Flight 1549 emergency landing in the Hudson River in 2009 may seem like an uncommon occurrence, but the truth is that bird strikes and other wildlife hazards pose a major threat to airports.  In fact, since the Federal Aviation Authority made the National Wildlife Database public, there have been approximately 21,489 strike reports over the last three years.

In 2009, the FAA initiated a rulemaking making Wildlife Hazard Assessments mandatory for commercial service airports regardless of a triggering event.  Late last month, the FAA’s Office of Airports further enforced their commitment to bird strike prevention by initiating a program encouraging General Aviation airports to conduct wildlife hazard assessments. (Read the press release.)

To help fund these mitigation efforts, the FAA will support general aviation efforts by making Airport Improvement Programs grants available to conduct an assessment.

Our Response to the FCC Notice of Inquiry on Next Generation 9-1-1: Part 2

Today’s blog is a continuation of last Friday’s blog highlighting key points from the comments we recently sent to the FCC for their Notice of Inquiry on Next Generation 9-1-1. 

In this post, we’ll highlight our viewpoints on the network architecture required for NG9-1-1.  Beware to readers: today’s post is fairly technical. (If you are looking for something on the lighter side, check out last week’s post on NG9-1-1 capabilities and applications.)

Transport Mechanisms in a NG9-1-1 Environment

IP can be transported by many different low-level media (layer 1) including copper, fiber and radio signals and using different media access control protocols (layer 2) such as Ethernet, WiFi, WiMax and others.  The choice and implementation of these protocols is largely driven by the marketplace and engineering considerations and won’t have a major impact on PSAPs or 9-1-1 users. 

NG9-1-1 PSAPs are and will be built using layer 1 and 2 transports appropriate for the task, which today is likely to be UTP-based Ethernet and possibly some WiFi. As technology evolves, they’ll be replaced by the newest and most economical infrastructures, but shouldn’t be incorporated into the PSAP until they are widely adopted in the marketplace. 

IP is undergoing a change from IPv4 to IPv6, therefore, ESInet infrastructures should be capable of supporting IPv6 even if the network is implemented using IPv4 (this means higher costs now but lower costs later.)

To see more information about SIP, TRP, and signaling and routing, read our complete document.

NG9-1-1 Participants

NG9-1-1 will vary differently than traditional telecom because consumers can pick and choose their service and device they where they want to use it.

Our Response to the FCC Notice of Inquiry on Next Generation 9-1-1: Part 1

 

On December 21, 2010 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Inquiry on Next Generation 9-1-1. 

We submitted our comments to the NOI in a very comprehensive document covering our viewpoints on how to bridge the gap between today's 9-1-1 system to an advanced communications system that enables the public to obtain emergency assistance beyond traditional voice-centric devices.

We invite you view the complete comments on the FCC website.  However, if you're looking for the cliff notes, we're planning on a 4-series blog post that begins today with a focus on NG9-1-1 capabilities and applications.

Potential Media Types in NG9-1-1

All media types should be reviewed to determine how each will benefit a 9-1-1 caller and first responders and the primary media type should remain two-way communications between the user and the public safety answering point.

Primary v. Secondary Usage of Media Types

Primary media should include "message-based" text and "real-time text."  Additional methods should include still images, real-time video, telemetry data and auxiliary medical and other personal data should be considered secondary data.