Law enforcement officials from Quebec province and New York state have signed a formal agreement to share intelligence information, hoping to improve cross border security in the face of terrorism. Quebec's public security minister Jacques Chagnon said provincial police communications systems will be upgraded within four years to five law enforcement officers mobile data capability anywhere in Quebec.
Winnipeg is considering a 311 non--emergency telephone system, after the city council approved C$6 million for upgrades to the public safety building. During the renovation, the comm center would be moved to another location, which could become the 311 center when the dispatchers move back. City officials hope 311 will reduce the volume of 911 calls.
Weather: partly cloudy, with chance of showers on Wed. or afterwards, temps in the low to mid-70s.
APCO official Conference page
Montreal tourism Web page
Montreal restaurant guide
2004 Annual Conference
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
Preview
Perhaps holding the annual APCO conference in an international city will help give attendees an improved perspective on all the issues facing public safety communications professionals back in the United States--there's certainly is a lot to comprehend.
It's been a busy year on very many fronts, some related to the nation's increased interest in terrorism, but perhaps more on issues related to wireless and Internet technology. The biggest public safety issue, 800 MHz interference, was decided by the FCC just four weeks before the conference begins, and it's possible the Commission will release the full decision during the Montreal event.
And then there is the issue of Phase II implementation, a full roll-out of E911 to every county in the U.S., the lack of radio interoperability, digital TV and the still-unused 700 MHz band allocation, telematics and associated consumer services, and cooperative projects with the transportation industry. Besides being thorny issues, almost all span a wide variety of stakeholders, increasing the complexity of developing solutions and reaching agreements. But that's why the annual conference is so interesting!
Over the past 10 days I've received almost a dozen requests from company's asking for a meeting during the conference, to familiarize me with their products and services. Almost all the companies were related to wireless technology, including Wi-Fi, so-called "mesh" networks, and companies offering to inter-connect Wi-Fi, cellular, private data radio and other radio systems. The emphasis, it seems, is on data networking for the field forces.
As for Montreal, it has a distinctly international flavor, but also enough American culture to make you feel at home. Once only home to native North American Indians, it attracted an increasing crowd of traders starting in the early 1600s, arriving from England, France and early settlers from what would become the United States. Even as the city became more sophisticated after World War II, its international nature was at the forefront. A movement by French Quebec residents to secede from Canada reached a peak in the 1960s without any official action. But, on the other hand, the movement has never really vaporized completely. Hence the bi-lingual nature of the city.
So, both inside and outside the Palais des Congrès de Montréal, there will be something interesting for APCO conference attendees.
The Conference
The conference will kick off on Monday morning with a keynote speech by Dr. Robert M. Gates, former Director of the CIA. The educational sessions will begin after that, while the trade exhibits will open on Tuesday morning for a two-day run. In early brochures, APCO listed 212 companies that had committed to the trade show, and the number will undoubted be much more when the show opens.
APCO will hold a special "800 MHz Super Session" from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. There will also be an 800 MHz Resource Room available for drop-in information and consultation sessions. Two other "super sessions" will focus on the northeast black-out of 2003, and the SARS virus outbreak.
There will be several sessions on interoperability, including case studies from Quebec province and Ohio, and a Wednesday panel discussion. There are many sessions on funding, project management and procurement of radio and other systems. Regulatory sessions include VoIP, Phase II, ADA, MLTS, accreditation and certification of dispatchers. Homeland security sessions include those related to WMD, communications, protecting comm centers, and the use of Amateur radio operators.
On the entertainment side, on Tuesday evening APCO will present the "Montreal's Joie de Vivre!" featuring the variety-acrobatic show Cirque Eloize and impressionist Andre-Phillpe Gagnon.
Beyond the Conference
The unofficial Montreal Fire Department has a very comprehensive section devoted to the agency's communications. The Web site notes the fire department uses a Motorola ASTRO digital trunked radio system in the 800 MHz band, and that it's Project 25 compliant. There are pages that describe the agency's 10-Code, unit IDs and response strategy. They also have posted the audio from several major incidents that you can download.
Check information on the Montreal Police Department.
The Montreal Expos baseball team is in town, playing San Francisco, Arizona and Houston.
