NPSTC and University of Melbourne Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety Sign MOU to Share Information: The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) and the University of Melbourne, through its Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety (CDMPS), signed a Memorandum of Understanding at NPSTC’s Governing Board meeting held on March 20, 2015, at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE).
Mr. Haller said, “We’re very happy to have an MOU between NPSTC and the University of Melbourne. There is much information going in both directions that will improve public safety in the United States and worldwide.”
Mr. Spring said, on behalf of the University of Melbourne’s CDMPS that the agreement will allow the exchange of information and the sharing of research outcomes with NPSTC related to mission critical communications and more broadly disaster management and public safety.
The CDMPS is a Research Centre established by the University of Melbourne focused on conducting multi-disciplinary research and training on disaster management and public safety both nationally and internationally. The University is one of the world’s leading Universities and one of the largest research organizations in Australia. CDMPS research focuses on themes associated with preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against incidents across the all-hazards spectrum of disaster and emergency and management. In recognition of the importance of mission critical public safety communications to disaster and emergency management the CDMPS has established a specific Research Agenda Item titled “Mission Critical Communications” to focus and align both applied and long term research together with the development of academic qualifications and expertise relating to this subject.
Highlights of NPSTC’s Governing Board Meeting at IWCE
Two More Years: Ralph Haller was unanimously re-elected to serve as NPSTC’s Chair for another term.
DeMello, Chairman’s, Hertz, and More Awards: Nominations for awards close April 4 and awards are presented at the May 6-7 meeting in Washington, D.C. Visit our Awards page for details.
NPSTC EMS Telemedicine Questionnaire – Assessing the Impact of Prehospital Video, published on March 26 and closing on April 24, has received 150 responses form public safety and EMS stakeholders. Please access the questionnaire using this link:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eaqxapqdi7m52xm2/start
Governing Board Approved Release of Cross Border Communications Report: Barriers, Opportunities, and Solutions for Border First Responders, a comprehensive study of cross border public safety communications at the local first responder level. A joint effort of the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG) and the NPSTC the report is designed to clarify legal and regulatory policies, identify best practices and examples of interoperability excellence, and advance specific recommendations to enhance public safety communications at the national border.
New Working Group: The NPSTC Interference Protection Working Group will operate under the Spectrum Committee. Initial projects for the group include addressing the LED Lighting Interference questionnaire results, and the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding full power, interstitial 12.5 kHz “offset” channels in the 809-817/854-862 MHz band.
Presentations available on NPSTC’s Website: Speakers presented from DHS’s Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, the Office of Emergency Communications, the FCC, FirstNet, the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), Morgan O’Brien on Pacific Datavision’s plans for 900 MHz, the Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG), and NPSTC liaison member, the Utilities Telecom Council,and affiliate members, Telecommunications Industry Association, Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, TETRA Critical Communications Association (TCCA), and Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).