Date posted for all solicitations was October 15, 2007.
Due date for all solicitations is:
November 14, 2007, 11:59 p.m. eastern time

Cross Match® Fast Capture Palm and Fingerprints
Border Research and Technology Center (BRTC)

BRTC continued working with the Kingsville (Texas) Police Department regarding a demonstration project using the Cross Match rapid capture fingerprint field kits, which would provide high-quality interoperable biometric identity applications and solutions. In addition, the Kingsville Police Department has been in contact with Cross Match to determine the feasibility of integrating a unit into their highway checkpoint operations (which would need to be coordinated with the State’s Department of Public Safety). For more information, contact BRTC, 888-656-BRTC or brtcwestops@sbcglobal.net.

Consolidated 911 Centers
NLECTC-Southeast

A consortium of public safety leaders within Charleston County, South Carolina, has requested assistance from NLECTC-Southeast in researching, planning, and implementing a consolidated 911 Center for emergency service agencies in the county in the interest of improving effectiveness, efficiency, costs, staff retention, public safety, and employee safety. The consortium’s executive committee is considering governance and funding issues, while the Southeast Center continues to research potential funding opportunities. For more information, contact NLECTC-Southeast, 800-292-4385 or nlectc-se@nlectc-se.org.

Incident Commander Training
NLECTC-Northwest

Incident Commander is a PC-based software simulation that models real-world scenarios within a community, allowing for training at the management level during a critical incident. This software was developed through NLECTC-Northwest with funding from the National Instititute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. NLECTC-Northwest staff have distributed copies of the software to and provided train-the-trainer training to NLECTC System staff so they can also offer training. Departments that have attended trainings have been able to implement it in their training scenarios, which will serve to enhance their ability to prepare for critical incidents. NLECTC-Northwest staff recently conducted training at the annual Sheriff’s Association of Texas Conference and at the International Association of Chiefs of Police State and Provincial Planning Officer Section International Conference. NLECTC-Northwest has also received requests at the international level for training. For more information about Incident Commander, contact NLECTC-Northwest, 866-569-2969 or nlectc_nw@ctsc.net. For information regarding training contact your nearest NLECTC System facility for information.

Public Safety Technology in the News

Minnesota Gov. Signs Order Designating Statewide Radio Board To Coordinate Public Safety Communications Interoperability
All American Patriots (10/03/07), Newsdesk

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, in support of his ongoing goal of improving emergency response planning in Minnesota, signed an executive order creating the Statewide Radio Board (SRB) on October 2, 2007. The SRB will create and implement operational standards for public safety communications interoperability within Minnesota. It will also promote coordination among public safety agencies at all levels to address statewide communications interoperability.

Communication Center Wins Cooperation Award
IndyStar.com (10/03/07), Bearce, Julia

The 2007 Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Local Government Cooperation Award was given to the Hendricks County Communciations Center. The communications center is the result of more than 2 years of work coordinated by government officials. Prior to the center’s inception, Hendricks County police and fire agencies were not able to communicate directly, which resulted in timely information being relayed via dispatchers. It was determined by officials that increased efficiency and cost savings were possible by consolidating the four dispatch sites within Hendricks County.

$29 Million in Homeland Security Funding to Local Maryland Communities
Government Technology (10/02/07), News Report

Governor Martin O’Malley announced that his State will receive more than $29 million in grant funds as part of three DHS grant programs for State and local government: the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETTP). Funding will be provided to every county in Maryland based on a determined baseline amount for each county. The balance of the funding will be dispersed based on a formula that calculates a jurisdiction’s risk. The grant money will be used for projects that include personal protective equipment, critical infrastructure, and communications systems. Within the coming weeks the State anticipates announcing an additional $23 million in Federal funding for communications interoperability.

Governor Rendell Recommends More Than $25 million for Local First Responders
TriState Observer (10/10/07)

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell recently announced recommendations for more than $25 million in Federal grants to help first responders better communicate and coordinate with the public during natural or manmade disasters. The recommendations are central to the distribution of funding from the Department of Commerce and Department of Homeland Security to the commonwealth’s plan for interoperable communications for the public safety community. The grant funding is subject to final approval from both Federal agencies. Upon approval, the funding will support local agencies with acquisition and implementation of communications systems that would allow first responders to communicate with one another as well as the public. The monies would also support the State’s overall plan for interoperability.

Upcoming Events

2007 Technologies for Critical Incidence Preparedness Conference and Exposition, November 6-8, 2007, San Francisco, California
NLECTC-National will be staffing booth number 730 at the Critical Incident conference. Please stop by.
www.ctc.org

NIJ Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute, February 24-28, 2008, Charleston, South Carolina
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/rural-institute.htm

2008 Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections Conference, June 9-11, 2008, Denver, Colorado
www.justnet.org/training/commcorr.html

New Releases

Incident Commander: A Training Simulation for Public Safety Personnel
www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=239168

TechBeat, Spring 2007
www.nlectc.org/techbeat/spring2007/