NS - Grant - Ratification of Application for Interoperable Communications Technology Grant

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h.: ~'. ~ ~;.~ ~j' -~~ ~`ji s -; ;; i~Cli 1 i:+ c ~: ~ ~',~ ia; I y i ;.: ,; , ~~ ; s; ~1 i` ,44~hI ?I ~i t I:~~~~ i ;~~' i' ..'i '<r :; a COPS FY2005 Application Guide: Targeted/Invited Programs ~0 For the past three years, the Office of Justice Programs, based on recommendations from GLOBAL' and support from the U S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the practitioner community have been working in a collaborative effort to develop a data exchange standard for the taw enforcement and justice community based on XML. This standard is formally known as the Global Justice XML Data Model6 Information on this model can be found in the Justice Standards Clearinghouse at www.it.oio.aovfisc fn line with the Heads of public safety and the National Strategy ated earlier, federal FY 2005 appropriations make available grant funding to improve the effectiveness of public safety communications systems by addressing interoperability issues. By definition, 5 For nwre information on the Global Justice communications interoperability refers to the ability of public safety agenaes to talk acxoss Information Sharing Advisory Committee visit disciplines and jurisdic#ons via radio communications systems to exchange voice andlor htto•!~d ojpgov/tooic jaRnooic id=$. data with one another on demand, in real time, when authorized. li For more information on the Global Justice Also, in line with the needs of taw enforcement and the need for interoperability based on del visit XML Data Mo the data standards cited above, FY 2005 appropriations make available grant funding to _ ~jp1ld.ojg~ao itov °ic.isp?todc id=43 improve the effectiveness of law enforcement information systems and to resolve data interoperability issues By definition, data interoperability refers to the ability of law enforcement agencies to share accurate and reliable information in such a way that the information has the same meaning for the receiver as it does the sender. Federal agencies recognize that many law enforcement agenaes currently lack effective and modem information sharing systems within their respective organizations The COPS Interoperable Communications Technology program provides funding to improve the law enforcement agency's ability to share information with other emergency responders This COPS effott wiN provide competitive funding to jurisdictions for projects That will explore uses of equipment and technologies to increase voice andlor data interoperability among the fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical service communfies. These projects, which should be the resuR of thorough and rigorous planning, will illustrate and encourage the acceptance of new fechnologies and operating methods to assist wmmunities in achieving interoperability.ThB funding available this year will not solve the national interoperability problem, but the lessons Teamed wi11 shape future communications equipment funding so that all purchases meet an fnteroperabtlity performance standard This grant program will further expand on the work that is already underway to support interoperable communications, inciud'ing the efforts of SAFECOM, the Coalition for Improved Public Safety Communications, and planning guidance developed by the National Task Force on interoperability to assist state and local governments with achieving interoperability Applications should derronstrate how the requested funding wi[i help state and local agencies achieve interoperability among the public safety communities, as well as how the proposed grant projed~vill facilitate and enhance mutual aid efforts. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2045, was passed by the Congress and signed by the President on December 8, 2004 (Public Law 108-447} The activities fal{ within the authority provided to the COPS Office in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-322) 34