As part of our nation's interoperable communications strategy, each state has adopted a statewide plan for enhancing emergency radio communications. Wisconsin's Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP), adopted in 2007, is a locally driven, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-disciplinary roadmap for communications interoperability.  It aligns local and state emergency response agency efforts with that vision through shared short and long range goals, objectives, and deliverables.  

As a common reference for all stakeholders to use for information about the status of the statewide communications initiative, the SCIP is regularly updated.  A highly collaborative process to revise the plan is currently underway to ensure that the views of emergency responders on the front lines in large, small, rural, and urban communities across the state are considered.  The revised version will be posted here soon and will include updated objectives, discussion of emerging issues, and as assessment of our progress toward achieving an efficient and cost effective statewide interoperability solution. 

Elements of the current plan include:

• Coverage of the state with a series of conventional repeater systems to allow for a Mutual Aid Radio Channel (MARC) for use by all public safety disciplines.
• Provision for additional mutual aid radio channels for simplex (end user radio to end-user radio) communications in support of multi-discipline operations co-located at a single site/incident.
• Gateways between systems, including using radio over internet protocol (RoIP) technologies, to enable the use of an agency's conventional radio channels with other agency radio channels. This also connects dispatch centers to foster redundancy and a methodology to back up center operations by another dispatch center. Gateways will be developed “cross-band”  between VHF and 700/800 MHz radio spectrum.
• A shared statewide VHF trunked radio communications network that, from its early build out stages, will enable a flexible platform for multiple, simultaneous talk group communication paths over a larger geographical area and without interference between these communications paths or an impediment to their real time usage. The shared system is designed to effectively interface with existing trunked radio systems compatible with an ISSI interface.
• Standard Operating Procedures that are not vendor specific, applicable to all public safety disciplines and joint responses, and fully consistent with National Incident Management provisions.
• Functional Specifications for equipment that fosters interoperability.

If you would like more information about the Wisconsin SCIP, please contact Tony Peterson.