Cross Border Communication Training and Exercise Announced

May 30, 2011

In March and June of 2010, Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) held a series of Cross Border workshops to help identify technical and procedural issues with regard to first responder communications in areas along the Maine – Canadian border. Subsequent working groups were tasked with making recommendations to correct issues identified at the workshops.

This is a component of the Maine State Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) as well as the National Emergency Communication Plan (NECP).

With the working groups’ recommendations, MEMA has created a flip book that will identify these aforementioned items. This book, called the Border Interoperability Guide (BIG) is a guide that will enable public safety entities form Maine and Canada to quickly reference operating channels in their respective areas as well as contact numbers, location of radio caches, CONOPS guidelines, and other informative information in the case of an event. MEMA has also purchased radios to be placed at strategic locations along the border.

To exercise these recommendations of the working groups and to finalize the Border Interoperability Guide, MEMA is requesting your presence at the following dates and locations:

The Four Seasons Restaurant on Main Street in Jackman, ME on June 8th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please register for the meeting by contacting Somerset County EMA at 207-474-6788 or mike.smith@somersetcounty-me.org

Caribou Inn & Convention Center at June 22, 2011 from 8:30am – 3:30pm. Please register for the meetings by contacting Aroostook County EMA at 207-493-4328 or darren@aroostookema.com

Washington County Community College Room 16 on June 27th from 9:00am to 4:00pm EST. Please register for this meeting by contacting Mike Hinerman at Washington County EMA by calling 207-255-3931 or email at wnema@roadrunner.com

Note that while there will be brief discussion of ongoing grant programs; this workshop is not intended to provide a detailed briefing on specific grants. We look forward to your input and guidance to fulfill and complete this vital document.

Agenda as follows:

-Introductions -Purpose of Workgroup -Discuss BIG Guide -Shared channels/Agreement of Channels -Location of Cache’s -Other Entities required -Standard Operating Procedures between Canada/Maine partners -Terminology -Codes -Frequencies -MOU -Other

Lunch will be provided by MEMA at noon.

Contact:

Steve Mallory, MEMA
207-624-4400
steven.mallory@maine.gov

MAINE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Cross Border Communication Training and Exercise Announced

May 30, 2011

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