PNS Projects:
Integrated Command Operations Program (ICOP): The ICOP is an ARDEC R&D initiative currently underway in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Region 13 Terrorism Task Force area of responsibility. The intent of the program is to demonstrate a regionally focused emergency operations center complete with its own robust network and database system for interoperable communications and collaboration between local, county, state and federal HLD/HLS agencies. To accomplish this, the ICOP is divided into two primary components. The first component is the Integrated Emergency Operations Center (IEOC), located in Johnstown, PA, which serves as a scalable, multi-jurisdictional regional EOC and technology testbed. The second component is the Regional Integrated Command Center (RICC), which provides the network and database system for the program.
- IEOC: Fact Sheet The IEOC segment of the ICOP provides a training and demonstration vehicle to support resource and information sharing activities. The program integrates agencies throughout the region with common tools, technologies and infrastructure. The IEOC enables a seamless interface between county, state, and federal agencies and synchronizes and supports other HLD program requirements without affecting local autonomy. In this respect, the program also focuses on non-technology challenges related to interagency cooperation, including cultural, privacy, security, and policy issues. Staffed by local and county emergency management personnel, with a 24/7 real-world incident response mission, the IEOC also provides R&D functions in such areas as military/civilian emergency management software and virtual collaboration tools, sensor integration, and data mining.
- RICC: Fact Sheet The RICC prototype network and database design is part of the overall effort to bridge traditional jurisdictional boundaries while providing an effective tool to maximize resources and build trusted relationships on a regional level. The program provides a redundant, self-healing wide area network for collaboration and data sharing between selected Pennsylvania Region 13 county 9-1-1 emergency call centers and county emergency management offices to enhance public safety applications and operations. The prototype database provides resource management and information sharing between the Region 13 EOCs. It also uses Geographic Information System (GIS), referencing specific information – including resource tracking and incident updates – as it is entered by EOC staff, to create and update the COP. Additionally, the prototype database will serve as Pennsylvania’s most accurate, regional public safety database for use in an emergency notification system (ENS). This regional database will provide critical geospatial information through the use of GIS systems which will be linked to an Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database. The combination of ALI and GIS data, in addition to the processes for maintaining the data going forward, will provide the model for expanding the reach and capabilities of the RICC network.
Integrated Airborne Command and Control System (IACCS): Fact Sheet
The IACCS will provide a EOC with the capability to communicate directly to the Army Airborne Command and Control System (A2C2S), first responders and military or civilian decision-makers. Interoperability will be provided through satellite communications, streaming video, VoIP, text messaging and multi-band voice communications. The IACCS will be mounted in a portable console that will allow for plug-and-play and have the ability to be rapidly transferred between EOC facilities. The IACCS communications package will be tied into regional, statewide and national emergency operation centers providing the communications link between the site of a disaster/emergency, A2C2S and the EOC. IACCS will be a critical component in assisting agencies to share a common view and understanding of the nature and extent of any disaster/ emergency as well as enabling them to react efficiently and effectively to the situation.
System of Systems Security Demonstration: Fact Sheet
The System of Systems Security Demonstration provides a modular security system for intrusion detection and perimeter security for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PAARNG) at the John Murtha Airport. The technology utilizes the best in forward looking infrared imaging (FLIR) to automatically detect and document unauthorized access to a secured area. In PAARNG’s case, the system utilizes 12 fixed FLIR cameras and a high-powered pan/tilt thermal image camera. The area can be secured in one of two ways: by creating a virtual 'fence' around a perimeter or creating a virtual 'zone' that blankets an entire area. The virtual fences or zones are then processed 'behind-the-scenes' by digital signal processor running complex video algorithms. When abnormalities or other specified potential threats are detected, alerts are generated to notify security personnel and the high-powered pan/tilt camera tracks and records the potential threat using both infrared and color digital imagery.
Hospital Emergency Planning and Integration System (HEPI): Fact Sheet
The HEPI Program will analyze all aspects of the coordination between the Department of Defense (DOD) and civilian health care, including required links between civilian healthcare agencies, the local Emergency Management jurisdiction, DOD facilities, and the Project National Shield (PNS) emergency response capabilities. The HEPI Program will develop, test, improve, and demonstrate system capabilities in a test bed environment that will ultimately enhance DOD’s ability to support civil authorities in the healthcare discipline.
High Speed Data Communications System (HSDCS): Fact Sheet
The HSDCS will enable public safety first responders in Pinellas County, Florida to directly access their data networks, communications centers, individual sensors and other information providers that are critical in the performance of their missions. Utilizing the FCC licensed 4.9 GHz frequency for Public Safety the HSDCS will provide licensed, secure, high-speed, fixed and mobile wireless connectivity to their data networks which will improve their efficiency in accessing large data files, including graphic maps, building layouts and photographic files. In addition to full-duplex voice communications, it is expected that, through the HSDCS capabilities developed under this project, first responders will be able to simultaneously send and receive text messages and streaming video as well as access the internet and other high bandwidth emergency applications. The transmission of sensor data directly to security operations centers can reduce the response times to perimeter security breaches, and real-time video and physiological data forwarded to hospital emergency rooms, at the scene or en route, can save lives. Ultimately, the ability of the HSDCS is to establish ad-hoc networking that will enable simultaneous, voice and data communication between the various units responding to the scene of an incident, and individually to the respective headquarters of the responding agencies.
Civilian Military Incident Management System (CMIM): Fact Sheet
The CMIM program will serve to tie Project National Shield objectives related to command and control capabilities at the Federal, State, and Local level and deploy these established capabilities into the field or incident sites. Under this vision, effective collaborative systems of command, control, communications, and intelligence are being established that can assist any region dealing with a natural or man made disaster affecting our population or critical infrastructure. This will be accomplished by developing a handheld application that will be able to send and receive information across multiple jurisdictions. A software application will be developed and deployed to give emergency field personnel accepted and established protocols and procedures. This ability to push/pull information across an established network will serve as a vital resource to address emergency operations in the field and allow responders at the Federal, State, and Local levels to access this critical information.