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California Interoperable Communications

Interoperability is the ability for emergency responders to communicate among jurisdictions, disciplines, and levels of government, using a variety of frequency bands, as needed and as authorized.

While interoperability is easy to define, implementing radio interoperability statewide involves the cooperation and collaboration with agencies and groups throughout the entire state of California. We achieve this cooperation and collaboration through a number or key committees and individuals. Successful interoperability in California relies on the collaborative interaction between a number of agencies at all levels throughout the state.

 

​Interoperable Communications Planning

CalSIEC

California Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (CalSIEC) is tasked with managing the interoperability spectrum and developing governance on behalf of all California public safety emergency responders. The CalSIEC consists of the planning chair / co-chairs from each of the CalSIEC Planning areas. Each Planning area has established a governance structure for interoperable communications that is comprised of emergency responders and public safety agencies from all public safety responders in the operational areas to include state agencies.

Events

California Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (CalSIEC) Meeting

Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Time: 10:00AM to 12:00PM (PST)
Location: TELECONFERENCE NOTICE, Video Conference.
Public Safety Communications Offices 630 Sequoia Pacific Blvd., Rooms 115A&B, Sacramento, CA 95811
View or Listen to CalSIEC Meeting Live or Via Microsoft Teams

For Assistance
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You can contact Elizabeth Stohlman at:
Elizabeth.stohlman@caloes.ca.gov

Past Events Videos/Notes

​Northern Planning Area Committee (NPAC) – VACANT, NPAC Co – Chair , Mike Grant, mgrant@pcso.net, NPAC Co-Chair

Capital-Bay Planning Area (CBPA) –Andy Smith, andy.smith@sanjoseca.gov, CBPA Chair; Kody Kerwin, kodykerwin@gmail.com, CBPA Co-Chair

Central Planning Area (CPA) – Adam Amaral, Adam.Amaral@countyofmerced.com, Chair; and Gregory Padilla, Gregory.padilla@fire.ca.gov, Co-Chair

Southern Planning Area (SPA) – Jeff Hebert, jeff.hebert@sdsheriff.org, SPA Co-Chair; and Timothy Buchfeller, tbuchfel@riversidesheriff.org,SPA Co-Chair

 

​Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC)

The SWICs office is the central coordination point for interoperable emergency communications effort in the state of California. The current SWIC is Devin Clarke:
devin.clarke@caloes.ca.gov  (916) 894-5009.

The current Deputy SWIC is Shelly McMahon: Shelly.McMahon@caloes.ca.gov (916) 894-5014
Contact the SWIC at swic@caloes.ca.gov for more information.

Some of the SWIC responsibilities include:

  • Develop and implement the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) and Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP)
  • Program Management
  • Governance and Policy Development
  • Grants Coordination
  • Education and Outreach

SWICs formally serve as members of the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC), a national governance body established to assist State and territory interoperability coordinators with promoting the critical importance of interoperable communications and best practices within their States and nationally.

Incident Communications Working Group (ICWG)

The California Incident Communications Working Group (ICWG) is a standing workgroup of the California Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (CALSIEC). ICWG is the designated Peer Review Committee (PRC) for All-Hazard Incident Communications Unit positions in accordance with best practices as published by the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) and the DHS SAFECOM Communications Unit Working Group. To request the document that describes the policies and procedures that will be followed by the ICWG, please contact SWIC@caloes.ca.gov.

Credentialing Process

A primary objective of the ICWG is to support the credentialing process of All-Hazards Incident Communications personnel as defined by the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The documents below are Information Sheets for each position and the checklist for obtaining a Position Task Book (PTB) approval:

California Regional All-Hazards Communications Unit Recognition Submission Checklist

Position Information Sheets

Interoperability Documents

The following documents are State and Federal guidelines for interoperable communications:

National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)

National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP)

Interoperability Guidelines, Technical Assistance and Grant Guidance

The following links and documents are useful tools for planning and implementing interoperability communications.

Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance (TA) Program Resources:
https://www.cisa.gov/publication/ictapscip-resources

US Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Communications:
http://www.dhs.gov/office-emergency-communications