Statewide Planning

Background

As part of the Recommended Federal Grant Guidance for Emergency Response Communications and Interoperability Grants for Fiscal Year 2007, the SAFECOM and Disaster Management (DM) programs have published a set of criteria for statewide interoperability plans. 

The purpose of this Statewide Planning page is to provide the designated State Interoperability Coordinators or the appropriate authority from each of the states and territories with the most relevant guidance and tools available to assist them in developing statewide interoperability plans.

Guidance and tools were developed using a “bottom-up” approach, which solicits the input and feedback of emergency response practitioners. We encourage you to use these documents as resources in the best way possible as you undergo the process of addressing communications interoperability. 

Please feel free to contact SAFECOM at any time with questions, concerns, and feedback regarding any of the information you find here and throughout the entire Web site. 


Statewide Planning Resources

SCIP Fact Sheet
The Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Fact Sheet provides information on the development, review, approval, and implementation of the SCIPs from the 56 states and territories.

OEC Technical Assistance Catalog
The Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) Technical Assistance Catalog describes the services available to requesting jurisdictions or organizations through OEC’s Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program.  These services, which are provided at no cost, include instruction and assistance with the planning, governance, operational, and technical aspects of developing and implementing interoperable communications initiatives.  All OEC technical assistance services may be combined or tailored to meet the specific needs of the requesting organization.  The Catalog also contains a technical assistance request form and instructions on how to complete and submit a request.

Statewide Interoperability Planning Guidebook
This guide provides an explanation of the statewide plan criteria, a step-by-step guide for developing an interoperability plan, and a recommended layout for the statewide plans.  Detailed explanations include common questions to consider, helpful hints in completing each section, and a list of the criteria each section addresses.

Formatted Statewide Plan Template
This template was developed to assist statewide communications interoperability planners.  Once content has been identified, it may be loaded into this template.

Statewide Communications Interoperability Planning (SCIP) Version 2.0
Local and regional level practitioner input is the foundation of the SCIP Methodology.  It provides a step-by-step guide for developing a locally-driven statewide strategic plan.  The Commonwealth of Kentucky and State of Nevada have used this methodology to develop their statewide interoperability plans.  The approach detailed in the SCIP Methodology Version 2.0 captures lessons learned from these statewide planning processes, and may be modified and applied at all levels (local, tribal, state, and Federal) Nationwide to develop a practitioner-driven strategic plan.  

Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A comprehensive list of FAQs that address the Statewide Plan Criteria.

Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Weighted Evaluation Criteria
The Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program and the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) have required States and Territories to develop and adopt SCIPs. This document provides an overview of the process that will be used to review SCIPs as well as the weighted scale that will be used for evaluation.

Dr. David Boyd, Director, Command, Control and Interoperability, Science and Technology Directorate, DHS - Speech at Statewide Planning Workshop

Dr. Boyd delivered this speech at the National Governors Association Statewide Planning Workshop on March 22, 2007 in Los Angeles.  The Workshop was sponsored by the SAFECOM program through the DHS Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) and the Office of Emergency Communication (OEC).  The speech addresses the many approaches to interoperability available today and their individual benefits and limitations.  He points out that achieving interoperability is hard, takes longer than most people expect, and that there are no “silver bullets.”  Nevertheless, the country has made progress and continues to show improvement.  The audience of over 300 at the Statewide Planning Workshop consisted of statewide teams from 50 of 56 U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia.