Capabilities
Vulnerability Assessment and PACE Planning
Highly available, resilient communication systems are the key to the operational success of any PSAP or Emergency Management agency. Understanding the existing capabilities, goals , and gaps of your communication systems are an important first step. ETC has the ability and experience needed to complete a thorough needs assessment and gap analysis of your communication technology needs. The outcome of the technology vulnerability assessment will be a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency) plan for each technology lane that is based on realistic outcomes and capabilities. ETC will discuss all PACE recommendations with your agency and can provide a final observations and recommendations document that, when implemented, will ensure your agency has a highly available, resilient communication system. ETC can also work with our partners to help your agency complete a cyber security assessment and incorporate AI based technology into your cyber security profile.
Resilient and Reliable Connectivity Planning: As we move to a cloud native environment, connectivity is more and more important. ETC can help your agency design an integrated IP connectivity solution that will ensure you remain connected and have the bandwidth, reliability, and system monitoring needed for your communication infrastructure.
RFP Development, Evaluation, and Assessment
The RFP process is the most important step in the contract process for any technology or service. The effort put forth in the RFP planning, development, evaluation, and selection process is essential to ensure your agency is able to select the best industry partner based on your unique operational needs. It is critical to include subject matter experts that can assist with the RFP process. ETC will add significant value to the RFP process by reducing the time required to complete the process, ensuring lessons learned and best practices from other RFPs are included, and ensuring a well written contract is developed. The outcome will result in a vendor relationship that will be in place for the next 5-10 years and beyond. Investing in the RFP process now will reduce time, cost, and scope creep when implementing the selected services by ensuring you have a solid contract in place with the best industry partner.
Strategic Planning
One of the scariest phrases to hear is, “We have always done it this way.” Some will say that PSAPs don’t like change, but at ETC we have learned that PSAPs don’t like abrupt changes that are poorly planned. Developing and documenting your Strategic Plan is the key to ensuring that your agency has the vision needed to implement changes that will improve your operational capabilities. Strategic Planning will focus on creating a plan that outlines how technology will be used to achieve your operational needs. Strategic Planning goes beyond just technical solutions, and ensures you have the resources, funding, implementation plan, and the ability to manage your resources effectively and plan for future technology trends.
NG 9-1-1 Expertise
As PSAPs prepare for the transition to IP based technologies for 9-1-1 call routing, it is important to understand the functional elements that are part of any Next Generation Core System and the data and information that must be available for NG 9-1-1 to function properly. In July 2024, the FCC adopted rules that include responsibilities for originating service providers (OSPs) and 911 authorities as they take actions to start or continue the transition to NG 9-1-1. At ETC we have the expertise to help you make the NG 9-1-1 transition and can assist with your agencies, efforts related to FCC Phase 1 and Phase 2.
AI integration Strategies
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged onto the PSAP community, but some are apprehensive about this technology while others are jumping right in. At ETC, we will work with your agency to help you first identify your main mission. We will then determine the metrics you have to measure success and focus on key areas that you would like to improve. After these important first steps, we can work with you to identify the tasks that are taking away from your ability to perform your main mission, and then begin to explore how AI can help. Before you seek an AI solution, it is important to understand the problem your agency is trying to solve.
Innovative Radio System Integration Planning
Today’s mission critical communications technologies are seeing a transition to IP based systems. Everything from Land Mobile Radio to 5G and satellite communications can be leveraged to ensure your first responders and emergency personnel can always communicate. ETC can help your agency plan and implement “radio” communication systems that go way beyond a single system by a single provider. Based on the concepts of vulnerability assessments, ETC can help you design a communication system that is able to meet your agency needs, stay within budget, and survive during disasters and peak usage.