To address the issues surrounding first responder communications interoperability, the Commonwealth of Virginia underwent a strategic planning process in partnership with DHS

1
Commonwealth of Virginia Interoperable
Communications
The Governors Office of Commonwealth
Preparedness The Office of Commonwealth
Preparedness was first created by Governor
Warners Executive Order 07 (02), continued by
Executive Order 69 (04), and is responsible for
translating vision into reality by synchronizing
actions, both public and private, and by insuring
that financial resources are being expended on
shared statewide preparedness goals. The
Offices role is one of policy, coordination,
leadership and resource allocation between
agencies of state government entrusted with
public safety and security responsibilities. The
Office serves as a direct liaison between the
Governor and Virginias local governments and
first responders on issues of emergency
preparedness. It helps educate the public on
homeland security issues and responds to
inquiries for support and guidance. The CICO
reports directly to the Assistant to the Governor
for Commonwealth Preparedness and facilitates the
development of the states overarching strategy
for communications interoperability.

• To address the issues surrounding first responder
  communications interoperability, the Commonwealth
  of Virginia underwent a strategic planning
  process in partnership with DHS SAFECOM Program
  and DOJs NIJ to develop an interoperability
  governance structure and Strategic Plan. From
  this process the Commonwealth established a
  dedicated office, the Commonwealth
  Interoperability Coordinators Office (CICO), to
  coordinate collaborative interoperability efforts
  for the state. Since its establishment in 2004,
  the CICO in conjunction with practitioners
  throughout the state have accomplished the
  following major activities
• Established practitioner-based Initiative Action
  Teams to focus on 800 MHz rebanding, common
  language and operational protocols, technical
  standards, mutual aide channels, the statewide
  700 MHz Plan, and equipment listings on state
  contracts.
• Distributed over 4.1Million for local
  interoperability projects.
• Assisted localities in securing over 7.4
  Million in interoperability grants.

The Commonwealth Strategic Plan for Statewide
Interoperable Communications The Statewide Plan
is the guiding document for all interoperable
communications activities. Virginia Code
mandates the annual update of the Plan and
statewide compliance to the Plan by 2015. The FY
2006 Plan presents 10 key initiatives to keep
communications interoperability a high priority
in the Commonwealth, encourage the utilization of
common language and coordinated protocols
statewide, leverage new and existing systems to
increase efficiencies, and provide training to
enhance effective use of communication systems.
For more information http//www.interoperability.
publicsafety.virginia.gov/index.cfm or Chris
Essid, CIC, chris.essid_at_governor.virginia.gov,
[phone]