The Interoperable Communications Vision

When emergencies have occurred in Tennessee, previous experience has shown that responders arrive with the equipment that they have been using in their daily jobs. This wireless communications equipment is often outdated and configured to operate in a non-disaster environment or not available in the quantity required for a large-scale catastrophe. Such equipment may be adequate for small, everyday emergency events involving one, two or three agencies, but proves to be wholly insufficient to integrate into a scenario requiring the intertwined needs of multiple agencies or jurisdictions.

To correct the potential for re-experiencing what occurred during Hurricane Katrina and other similar large-scale catastrophes, Governor Phil Bredesen directed in Executive Order 49 on August 29, 2007 that a well-planned program be established to tie together all departments, agencies and jurisdictions of the state, along with charitable and non-governmental organizations, so that they can easily and effectively communicate with each other over common communications equipment and frequencies.

The executive order created the Tennessee Public Safety Wireless Interoperability Communications Advisory Board (WiCAB) to develop a standards-based interoperable communications capability through implementation of a 700/800 MHz system. The order required that this communications system be capable of supporting state-wide mutual aid and that older types of communications or legacy systems be integrated into it. The governor directed that the system ensure all types of government and quasi-government agency responders be able to communicate in emergencies and disasters; and that partnerships are built to ensure interoperable capability over long periods of time.

The governor further directed that a consultant would be hired to develop a pathway to achieving the goals. This selection was begun concluded in January 2008 when Buford Goff and Associates was chosen. The consultant was charged to establish a baseline assessment of the State’s current communications system through interviews and visits, to develop a phased seven-year Strategic Plan, to develop a request for proposal (to create a contract), to oversee and manage another contractor to build a state-wide interoperable communications system, and to manage the construction of the selected wireless communications system.

The project was begun with an initial $4 million provided by the Governor, and local participation was solicited from county mayors, sheriffs’ association members, police chiefs’ association members and emergency management association members to start the work.