By Dave Buchanan, Director of State Consultation

Indiana’s initial consultation meeting provided FirstNet with one of its first opportunities to hear an in-depth presentation of a state’s public safety data collection efforts. Indiana has been working hard to collect and analyze its data before officially submitting it to FirstNet. The more than 40 participants at the meeting last month were able to better understand what they have and what data is still needed from stakeholders. FirstNet will use data from states and territories to inform its Request for Proposal being prepared for the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) and the development of Indiana’s state plan.

Indiana compiled the data using the Mobile Data Survey Tool (MDST), regional focus groups, and the Communications Asset and Survey and Mapping (CASM) tool. Starting with CASM, the state identified agencies and users in Indiana; there are 2,562 agencies, 40,744 personnel, and 13,582 volunteers entered into CASM. Combined with personnel and device statistics from the 94 responses (representing more than 5,000 personnel) in MDST, they were able to determine the number of devices per user by discipline, which averages out to a little over one device per user. While Indiana was still working to collect more data from its stakeholders at the time of the initial consultation meeting, this was a very informative presentation for FirstNet.

Indiana’s use case presentations also provided an interesting insight into current public safety operations in the state. Mr. David Schwartz, Deputy Chief, Division of Public Safety Communications for the City of Indianapolis, discussed the city’s major planned events and current and future data use needs.

Mr. Steve Skinner, the Indiana Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, then moderated a panel discussion based on the I-65 bridge closure and its impact across multiple jurisdictions and multiple disciplines. With the closure along the main route from Indianapolis to Chicago, traffic back-ups quickly reached 20-30 miles long and affected thousands across the state. Local law enforcement and emergency management, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and Indiana State Police have been working closely together to manage this incident and keep travelers safe and moving. Panelists explained how the NPSBN could provide additional situational awareness and improve response to the ongoing incident.

Thanks to the state Single Point of Contact (SPOC) David Vice and the entire Indiana team for hosting a very productive and informative consultation meeting. We look forward to continuing to work together with Indiana.

-Dave