New Mexico State Interoperable
Communications Working Group
(SICWG)
CHARTER
SECRETARY, NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (NMDHSEM)
– John
Wheeler
EXECUTIVE SPONSOR – DEPUTY SECRETARY,
NMDHSEM
– John
Martinez
NMDHSEM POINT OF CONTACT – Jacque Miller
ORIGINAL PLAN DATE: -
June 19, 2008
REVISION DATE: -
August 15, 2009
REVISION: - 1.0
SICWG Charter
Revision History
The SICWG Charter Revision History outlines the changes to
the Charter as it evolves to reflect the mission of the SICWG. Because the Charter is a living document, it
may be changed by the membership by majority vote.
|
Date
|
Section(s)
|
Description
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July 2009
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Cover,
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General update to bring document up to date, e.g.
Secretary vice Director, added term limits for Core Members.
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Background
The Statewide Interoperable Communications Working Group
(SICWG) was established in 2006 to provide standards for wireless radio
communications, researching best practices, facilitating cooperative and contract
agreements, ensuring adequate wireless spectrum and reviewing priorities for
the statewide radio interoperable needs.
The establishment of the formal working group created a team of
individuals from organizations around the state with knowledge and interest in
the field of wireless radio communications.
A sub-team of the SICWG has been established and is referred to as the
Core working group (SICWG-C).
Name
The name of the group shall be the State Interoperable
Communications Working Group, commonly known as SICWG.
Mission
To address state wireless radio communication
interoperability by fostering intergovernmental and cross-discipline cooperation.
Definitions
“Interoperability” means the ability of emergency
response providers to share voice, data and video information and to
communicate across jurisdictions during emergencies or as necessary.
“Survivability”
means the ability to provide and maintain adequate communications in the event
of a natural disaster or catastrophic emergency, including one in which there
has been significant damage to, or destruction of, critical infrastructure, substantial
loss of ordinary telecommunications infrastructure.
“SAFECOM” is a communications
program of the Department of Homeland Security that provides research,
development, testing and evaluation, guidance, tools, and templates on
interoperable communications-related issues to local, tribal, state, and
Federal emergency response agencies.
“Narrow banding” A
narrow band modulation UHF/Microwave communication system comprises a
transmit/receive base station having a plurality of transmitter for
transmitting information at respective UHF/Microwave channel frequencies to a
plurality of remote transmit/receive stations, in which the transmitters at the
base station are served in common by a single master oscillator and in which a
single reference frequency signal is derived from the master oscillator at the
base station and transmitted to all of said remote stations where it serves to
provide for frequency locking of the oscillators at said stations to produce
synchronization between the frequencies at the base station and the remote
stations.
“Project 25” An interoperability
suite of standards for digital two-way wireless communications products
and systems. http://www.project25.org/
Acronyms
“NPSTC” National Public Safety Telecommunications
Council
“APCO”
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials
“DHSEM” Department
of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
“SICWG” State
Interoperable Communications Working Group
“SICWG-C” State
Interoperable Communications Working Group Core Team
Goals
The goals of the SICWG are to:
- Act as
communicating agent to state users about mission critical wireless radio
communications issues and coordinate a unified state approach.
- Interface
with state, federal, tribal and private wireless radio communications
advisory groups and regulatory and governing bodies (e.g., SAFECOM, NPSTC,
APCO, and Regional Four Corners Committee)
- Identify
current infrastructure needs through gap analysis and technology reviews.
- Develop
and recommend system standards for wireless radio communications to be
used in evaluation and authorization of federal and state funding
requests.
- Foster
relationships with amateur radio operators and other non-governmental
groups to participate in emergency response.
Objectives
The SICWG will pursue the following objectives to achieve
its goals:
- Foster
partnerships among local, state, federal, tribal and private entities to
promote the exchange of knowledge and resources among members of the
wireless radio communications community through best practices.
- Lead
efforts in concert with appropriate agencies in the creation and
maintenance of a state roadmap to achieve wireless radio communications
interoperability across local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
- Provide
state user input to organizations addressing state and local
interoperability activities (e.g. SAFECOM, NPSTC, APCO, and Regional Four
Corners Committee).
- Identify
issues and articulate a unified approach to the development of standards
and specifications (e.g., Project 25, Narrow banding).
- Identify
issues and develop a unified state position relative to security,
standards, and spectrum that impact state interoperability and interaction
with local, regional and state agencies.
- Serve
as the state wireless radio communications community’s liaison to
industry, periodically obtaining technical updates and equipment reviews
from vendors.
Membership
There are two types of membership in the SICWG—core members
and general members.
SICWG general members shall be representatives of local,
tribal, regional, state, and federal agencies.
Member entities shall submit, in writing, their designated representatives
and alternates. Representatives and
alternates must have knowledge and interest in wireless communications
technology and operations and have the authority to speak for their
organizations. The members shall be drawn from a geographic (including urban
and rural) and a substantive cross section of officials, emergency managers,
communications leaders, emergency response providers, and communications
leaders from State, local, and tribal governments. In addition to a
representative from each Emergency Management Office (County, City of
Albuquerque and Tribal) representation from for following catagories is
recommended:
2. Law enforcement
3. A Federal Partner that the county works
closely with
4. Fire
5. EMS
The SICWG-C will be composed of eight to twelve professionals
with knowledge and interest in the field of wireless communications technology. All members will be appointed by the Secretary
of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) or his
designee. Administrative assistance
will be provided by the DHSEM.
The members of the Core will be appointed for a term of 3
years. Members may be reappointed at
the discretion of the Executive Sponsor.
Members will be appointed by class year, signifying the year of the end
of their appointment, with approximately one-third of the committee appointed
each year. To facilitate transition to
this process, initial appointments (starting in 2009) to the core committee
will be for one, two, or three years.
That is, forming classes for 2010, 2011, and 2012. Membership terms will expire at the end of
the designated class year. A new core
committee membership will be distributed in January of each year (beginning
with this transition in January 2011 and each year thereafter).
The Executive Sponsor may create ad hoc committees and
appoint technical advisors for specific issues.
Decision Making
Recommendations and standards will only be forward to the Secretary
of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management upon majority
vote. Upon approval from the Secretary recommendations
and standards will be presented to the entire membership of the SICWG.
Organizational Procedures
Meetings
Regular meetings of the SICWG-C may be held monthly in a
central location. The Executive Sponsor
may call special meetings provided advance notice is given.
Regular meeting agendas shall be drafted by the DHSEM
administrative support for review and approval of the Working Group POC. Approved agendas and materials will be
distributed prior to the meeting if possible.
Additional items of discussion may be added at the request of attending
members. Meeting notes shall be taken
during each meeting and made available to the membership, as appropriate.
Meetings of the entire SICWG will be held on a semiannual
basis. The SICWG Core Team and DHSEM
staff will coordinate and publish meeting agendas.
Amending the SICWG Charter
The SICWG-C Charter may be amended to reflect changes
consistent with the membership goals as recommended by the majority and
approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security and Emergency Management or his
designee.
CHARTER APPROVAL SIGNATURES
