Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant

1. Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant

2. Where is the money coming from? • The federal government established a deadline for broadcast television to move from analog to digital frequencies. • This move is freeing up analog spectrum in the 700 MHz band, of which 24 MHz has been allocated for public safety use. • The remaining portion of the vacated spectrum is being auctioned off to the public – proceeds are funding the PSIC grant program.

3. What can grant money be used for? • Must be used to buy equipment, deploy, or train for use on communications systems that are capable of operating within the 700 MHz spectrum. • 80% of the funds must go to local agencies, 20% can be used by the state. States are required to provide a 20% funding match.

4. What is Indiana’s share? • Indiana’s share of the $944 million grant is $18,291,735. • Approximately $13 million available to local Indiana first responder agencies.

5. What about the 700 MHz capability requirement? Digital radios for use on the SAFE-T system are multi-band/multi-mode. This means they are 700 MHz capable and can be used well into the future as Indiana migrates and adapts to changing technology.

6. Indiana PSIC Strategy • Increase the reach of the existing interoperable communications system while enabling future technological transitions: Radios to local first responders program. • “Next generation” digital technology applications and best practices to help map Indiana’s digital future.

7. Indiana PSIC Strategy: • Improve the delivery of communications training though IDHS programs & web-based applications • Mirror the locally-driven process that created the SAFE-T network to facilitate strategy for public safety data sharing and integration

8. Grant Timeline • July 18, 2007: Feds release PSIC Guidance and allocations to states. • August 22, 2007: Brief narrative due to feds with overview of PSIC plans • December 3, 2007: Investment Justifications due along with final Statewide Interoperable Communications Plan (SCIP)

9. Grant Timeline • December 1, 2007: Peer review/evaluation of Investment Justifications and SCIP • March 15, 2008: States receive approval/denial of Investment Justifications/ SCIP. 60 day obligation period begins. • September 30, 2010: Grant ends – No extensions will be granted

10. Budget Highlights Over $20M* allocated for the development of advance interoperable communications in Indiana. • $2.9M allocated for communication infrastructure • $2.1M dedicated to the advancement of integrated data sharing • $13M in radios for first responders *Includes 2007 PSIC funding and additional funding from the 2007 Homeland Security Grant Program

11. Budget Highlights

12. Additional Budget Highlights • Funding applied toward this first statewide interoperable communications conference • Funding for implementation of CASM, a tool for use by local, county and state public safety officials to develop interoperable communications plans

13. Radio Allocation • Based on EMA response to 2007 IDHS equipment survey • 21,714 radios requested by local first responders • Formula developed to award a percentage of radios requested based on available funds • Either Motorola or E.F. Johnson portable radios and accessories can be purchased

14. Radio Allocation Negotiated lower-than-QPA pricing for radios with accessories Over 5,200 radios going to first responders A nearly 20% increase in radios in the hands of first responders!