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Accomplishments for Core Goal #1 Interoperability

Interoperability
Under Governor O’Malley, the State has launched efforts to build a statewide radio system, a computer-aided dispatch/records management system (CAD/RMS), and geographic information system (GIS) platform. These backbone systems will replace obsolete or non-existent systems for the State’s public safety agencies and will provide a statewide infrastructure available for local governments.  Following are key projects and accomplishments:

• The State is building its first statewide interoperable voice radio system that will allow direct, seamless communication between State, local, and federal partners.  After more than a decade of failed planning, the State began in November 2010 to build Maryland FiRST (First responders Interoperable Radio System Team), a statewide 700MHz voice radio network.  This system will allow first responders in every region of the State to communicate with each other using the radios they carry with them everyday.  The first of five planned regional phases will cover a portion of Central Maryland that includes about one-third of the State’s population and much of its critical infrastructure: the Port of Baltimore, I-95 corridor, the ICC, BWI, and the Bay Bridge. Equipment for this initial phase currently being prepared for installation and is expected to be fully operational by December 2012. The next phase of the Statewide Radio network will include jurisdictions on the Eastern Shore and is expected to be completed by January 2013.

• 23 out of 26 Maryland jurisdictions are now covered by regional radio interoperability “gap solution” networks that allow first responders to communicate within regions.  Local jurisdictions and State agencies have worked together to form regional communication networks that provide full interoperable radio communication for first responders while the State continues to develop a radio system that will unite all regions and allow statewide interoperable communication.  The Washington, Allegany, and Garret Counties Interoperable Network (WAGIN) in Western Maryland became fully operational in March of 2011 and joined previously operating networks in the National Capital Region, the Eastern Shore, and Central Maryland.  The remaining regional network in Southern Maryland has completed planning and design work on its regional interoperability solution, which will mirror Central Maryland’s system. The Southern Maryland system is expected to be operational by March 2012.

• The State is building a state-of-the-art interoperable CAD/RMS system that will provide fast, accurate, and interoperable dispatching for State agencies and local government.  For decades Maryland State first responders have lagged significantly behind their local counterparts in Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System technology (CAD/RMS).  The new statewide system will unify multiple dispatch systems currently in use by the State’s law enforcement agencies, and, for the first time, allow each agency to share real-time data through a shared database.  In addition, the statewide system’s use of modern records management software will allow for fast and accurate collection, storage, and retrieval of vital records.  The system will first integrate the State’s four main law enforcement agencies: the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transit Administration Police, the Natural Resources Police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. This initial release of the system is expected December 2012. This initial release of the system is expected by June 2013. Afterwards, additional state and local agencies that require first responder dispatching services will be able to ride on the statewide CAD/RMS system or quickly share CAD/RMS data with their state partners.

• Maryland launched OSPREY, a new GIS-based common operating picture and emergency mapping application that has access to more than 163 sources of data.  OSPREY is an advanced emergency management mapping application that builds on the State’s previous mapping system (EMMA).  It currently integrates approximately 163 real-time and static data feeds onto an online map and provides situational awareness for first responder agencies following an emergency incident.  Across the state, OSPREY’s live weather data will allow emergency managers to monitor the effect of hurricanes or other dangerous weather systems on Maryland population and infrastructure centers.  It will allow transportation agencies to monitor real-time traffic congestion data in the National Capital and Baltimore Metro Regions.  And it will allow law enforcement agencies to map public safety incidents as they are reported through CAD incident data and look for patterns or connections that connect isolated events to a single source.  MEMA and DOIT will continue to develop OSPREY with additional data layers and analytical capabilities.  For example, a planned report-by-exception program will allow OSPREY to analyze live CAD data feeds and pull out specific incident types that users have pre-identified: multiple fires or explosions, or multiple police incidents with similar characteristics, for example.  In addition, MEMA has created a public-facing version of OSPREY on its web site that provides practical, real-time emergency and preparedness information to Maryland residents and informs users on how to respond to an emergency.  

• DHS has judged Maryland to be one of only eight states with fully functioning Strategic Technology Reserves (backup radio caches, mobile communications, portable towers, etc.) that are pre-positioned, deployable, and able to re-establish communications following a disruption in service for first responders.  Maryland’s current Strategic Technology Reserves consist of emergency radio caches (1,250 radios total) and 28 mobile command vehicles.  In recognition of Maryland’s advanced first responder communication capabilities, the federal government has granted a waiver that will allow the State to spend available federal funds on more advanced communication tools, including OSPREY and fiber links to support a robust public safety broadband network.   
  

• Created an Interoperability Director position, giving Maryland, for the first time, a single entity dedicated to achieving interoperability for first responders across the State.  Governor O’Malley issued an Executive Order in 2008 to formally appoint Maryland’s first Director of Interoperability and Maryland’s first Interoperability Program Management Office.  This office is responsible for building the statewide 700 MHz communications system and CAD/RMS systems and infrastructure and for combining multiple previously uncoordinated efforts under a single comprehensive communications technology plan.   

• Created a Geographic Information Officer position that is dedicated to collecting, managing, and disseminating spatial and map data that supports interoperability for first responders across the State.  Governor O’Malley issued an Executive Order in 2009 to formally appoint Maryland’s first Geographic Information Officer.  Located within the Department of Information Technology, this office is responsible for building and maintaining MD iMap, the state enterprise GIS system.  It is also responsible for providing the leadership to bring state agency data into a form where it can be displayed with other agency data upon a common map.  The GIO also works with federal, state, and local governments to consolidate resources, save money, and provide better public service.

• Making Maryland ready for a public safety broadband network that will support advanced communication tools for first responders.  A dedicated public safety broadband network will support cutting-edge technology for first responders, such as streaming live video from accident scenes to handheld devices. Maryland is developing a first responder broadband plan in coordination with its surrounding state partners (DE, VA, WV, PA, and DC) and has requested a waiver from the FCC to allow early construction of a public safety broadband network.  Governor O’Malley has engaged in national advocacy with the President and Vice President to bring this vital resource to first responders nationwide.