Home Agenda Register Who Should Attend Travel Info Resources FAQs Contact Us Sponsored by: Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Provided by: SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics Who Should Attend? The Interoperable Communications Technology Training Program is designed to provide training and instruction for agency representatives involved in managing, overseeing and making decisions about all facets of interoperable communications technology projects, including planning, procurement and implementation. This training event will present proven strategies and best practices for public safety communications development and operations. For technology projects to be successful, agency leaders at the highest levels, and managers dedicated specifically to such projects, must be integrally involved every step of the way. Recognizing the critical roles of these key players in successful communications system planning and implementation, agency representatives who will benefit the most from this training event, and those who we recommend you bring, include: Senior Management Senior management of sponsoring agencies, including fire and police chiefs, sheriffs and emergency management agency directors, will benefit from the top-down approach presented. Because communications technology has the ability to radically enhance and change the way public safety agencies do business and work with one another, this conference is primarily geared to agency leaders/decision-makers who are experts in public safety management. Senior managers will learn how to establish a planning and decision-making structure that will complete the project plan and lead to dependable systems for communications interoperability. They will also learn how to: Select a project manager and other key project personnel Define critical elements of strong project charters and effective project plans Create timelines and budgets Conduct risk assessments Craft solid procurement documents and tight vendor contracts The Project Manager The Project Manager — the individual directly responsible for overseeing daily activities regarding the interoperability project — will be a key beneficiary of the principles covered in this conference, including crafting a comprehensive project plan and working with system users, support staff, vendors and consultants. The Technical Manager Managers of organizations or units that ensure the continuous availability of communications systems will benefit from both the project management and technology aspects of this conference. Functional requirements and operational pitfalls of shared systems will be detailed. Different approaches to meeting requirements will be examined and information on alternative technologies will be provided. Technology Breakout Sessions Each technology breakout session will address issues in depth, giving attendees a full understanding of how communications equipment is used to guard responder safety, support interagency operations and ultimately protect the public. Sessions will also cover: Capabilities and limitations of different means of communications interoperability Human resource implications of staffing, support and training Grant management Management of regulatory and licensing risks Voice and data integration Communications equipment standards Managers of existing multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional systems will also participate, sharing their real-world experiences — both successes and failures.