St. Cloud, MN: The City of Portland and the Portland Dispatch Center Consortium (PDCC) have initiated a project with GeoComm Consulting Services to work on Portland area's Interoperable Communications Strategic Plans Update and Public Safety Answering Point Feasibility Study Project. The PDCC will receive the assistance from GeoComm to update the region's Interoperable Communications Strategic Plan (ICSP), developing regional standard operating procedures (SOPs), and determining the feasibility of leveraging technologies through PSAP co-location/consolidation.

The PDCC stakeholder group includes: Clackamas County Department of Communications (CCOM), Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District (C911CD), Lake Oswego Communications (LOCOM), Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), Port of Portland Airport Communications Center (ACC), and Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA).

Bob Cozzie, project manager and Director of the Clackamas County 9-1-1 Center remarked, "Numerous stakeholders in the region, from political heads to line personnel, are eager for the outcome of this important study. We are pleased to be working with GeoComm and are looking forward to the project kickoff."

GeoComm will approach this extensive project in four phases that include project initiation, data collection, stakeholder interviews, ICSP development, regional SOP development, and regional technical and backup cooperation feasibility. The study will provide the foundation for 9-1-1 and interoperability planning and improvements and utilize strategies that support the City's Climate Action Plan and related sustainability policies and goals. The study is fully funded through a Department of Homeland Security Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) FY2011 grant.

"GeoComm commends the PDCC for this focus on planning, interoperability of voice and data communications, dispatch operations, and joint efforts to obtain and manage resources," said Greg Ballentine, Director of Consulting Services. "We are excited to be chosen as a partner for this project and have assigned an outstanding team of subject matter experts including Nancy Pollock, who will serve as project manager."

The project will officially commence during the first week of October with a series of meetings and workshops. The Interoperable Communications Strategic Plan will be complete by the end of the year and the entire project will conclude within twelve months.

"The GeoComm project team looks forward to working on this comprehensive 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point feasibility and interoperability strategic planning project," stated Nancy Pollock, GeoComm Consulting Services project manager. "The PDCC is known for their collaborative efforts among the dispatch centers serving the UASI region of the Portland Metropolitan area; it is an honor to work with them."

About GeoComm: GeoComm has conducted more than 600 public safety consulting projects and has been at the forefront of understanding and implementing public safety communications systems. GeoComm subscribes to the Project Management Institute's effective practices and Code of Ethics. We partner with our clients to develop unique solutions and recommendations based in their environment.