On May 24, 2012, government members of the National Capital Region (NCR) will conduct a Maryland portion of the NCR focused Communications Interoperability Tabletop Exercise in Silver Spring, Maryland as a follow-up to last September’s 2nd Annual Interoperability Forum and to address some new emerging needs. The Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory [JHU/APL] and the All Hazards Consortium [AHC] have been retained to assist with coordinating and supporting this event.

The exercise will focus on practical interoperability challenges facing Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's Counties, the State of Maryland and other NCR partners. Successes as well as gaps will be documented and serve as support for future funding opportunities, highlight achievements, and illustrate the value of past investments. During the exercise a scenario will be discussed. Two months later, a live drill will demonstrate the identified successes and challenges. In this fashion, the joint interoperability capability will be demonstrated both in theory and practice.

This exercise will focus on the following objectives:

1. Identify gaps in planning, training, equipping or personnel
2. Demonstrate that planning, training, and equipping throughout the region have in fact created the ability to exchange voice (and to a lesser extent data and video) information when it is needed
3. Physically deploy and validate these communications systems and capabilities at the Communications Rally. Such a demonstration may include:

1. Radio cache(s)
2. Mobile command vehicles
   
3. Dispatch centers
4. EOCs

Topics that will be discussed during the exercise include devices, applications, performance, authentication, priority access, and sustainability.

NOTE: Attendance is limited to government employees, exercise supporters, and invited guests.

New!!! Prospects Panel Discussion

In addition, a hosted luncheon will feature a special panel where the jurisdictions involved will share their latest IT and radio upgrades, active procurements, and other projects in the pipeline.

This discussion-based exercise will present a scenario that will stress the system and stimulate discussion about the equipment, plans, procedures, memorandum of understanding, training, etc., that, taken together, comprise the Region's capability to deliver interoperable communications. A key goal of this exercise is to identify gaps that may exist in these areas to inform future planning and coordination activities.   By providing a no-fault learning environment, this exercise offers a forum for familiarizing participants with their roles and responsibilities and will encourage open discussion and enhanced regional coordination.  As part of the exercise, attendees will be assigned to one of the following breakout groups:

• Communications (radio, information technology, and video)
• Law Enforcement/Dispatch
• Fire/EMS
• Public Information
• Public works/Transportation
• Emergency Management
• Management/Policy

If you have an active role in an emergency or a pre-planned event or support those who do; you should participate at the National Capital Region - Charles, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties Communications Interoperability Tabletop Exercise.
Current attendees include:

The Executive Steering Committee develops the overall exercise strategy, provides guidance on the exercise and facilitators, and provides overall advice with respect to the exercise and its application to this community. The committee members include:

• Kate Hession, Exercise Lead, Maryland Emergency Management Agency

• Brian Jefferson, Radio Cache Manager, Montgomery County

• Bobby Johnson, Manager Radio Communications Services, Department Of Technology Services –ETSD, Montgomery County, Maryland

• Jack Markey, Director, Division of Emergency Management, Frederick County, Maryland

• Wayne McBride, Manager, Radio Communications Services, Prince George’s County, Maryland

• Lt. Philip Raum, Homeland Security, Montgomery County Police (NCR Exercise & Training Coordinator for Montgomery County)

• Tony Rose, Chief of Communications/911, Charles County Emergency Services

• John Contestabile, Assistant Program Manager – Homeland Security, JHU/APL

• Tom Moran, Executive Director, All Hazards Consortium

• Steven Taylor, Project Manager, JHU/APL

Becoming a supporter (sponsor) of the NCR Interoperability Communications Tabletop Exercise is a great way to support the “enabling framework” being used by states and urban areas and raise your company's visibility with the region's interoperability leadership in the state and local government market. Sponsorship packages and exhibit space are available on a limited basis.

For details and pricing contact Laura Johnson, Manager of Conferences & Events, AHC, at laura.johnson@ahcusa.org or (301) 257-7439.

To download our sponsor prospectus, click here.

To register, click HERE.

Registration fees are:

• State/Local Government Employees: complimentary

• Federal Government: $350 per person

• Private Sector, Academia and Non-Profit: $400 per person

*Private Sector registration is limited to the first 20 registrants.

Payment can be made via credit card, check, or PayPal.

Please register by May 18, 2012 to finalize our numbers for the caterer. For questions regarding registration, email laura.johnson@ahcusa.org

Refund Policy
Cancellations for paid registrations made by midnight May 14, 2012 will receive a refund less a $50.00 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations postmarked after this date. Refunds are not provided if you are unable to attend the event. Substitutions, including those made onsite, are allowed with written permission of the original registrant. Please submit the request in person at the event, or by email to laura.johnson@ahcusa.org

• This event is closed to the media

• All attendees will need to produce appropriate identification. Name badges will be issued and checked on site at all times

• Dress is business or business casual

• Onsite registration will NOT be provided

The Exercise will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center located at One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910 (Phone: 240-777-5350). The Civic Center is just 3 blocks from the Silver Spring metro station on the red line.

Addresses for public parking garages located nearby include:

• 921 Wayne Avenue

• 801 Ellsworth Drive

• 811 Easley Street

Nearby hotels include:

• Courtyard by Marriott, Silver Spring Downtown (301.589.4899) No room block is currently being held.

For more information, email info@ahcusa.org