The National Information
Sharing Consortium
Special Topic Discussion
“Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment
(CAUSE II)”
June 20, 2013
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Why We’re Here
Learn about CAUSE II:
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CAUSE II objectives, principles, and participants;
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Experiment data collection, technologies, experiment scenarios, and
information sharing workflows; and
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After action observations and CAUSE III.
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CAUSE II
Jack Pagotto, Head, Multi-Agency Crisis Management Science and Technology, Canada Centre for Security
Science (CSS) General Defence Research and Development
Dr. David Boyd, Director, Office of Interoperability and Compatibility, First Responders Group (FRG), Science
and Technology Directorate (S&T), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Philip Dawe, Portfolio Manager, Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience, Canada CSS General
Defence Research and Development
Darrell O'Donnell, Special Advisor to Canada CSS, Multi-Agency Situational Awareness System (MASAS)
National Implementation Team
Alana Buck, Planning and Research Associate, Maine Emergency Management Agency
Joel Thomas, CAUSE II Project Manager (Contractor), FRG, S&T, DHS
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Canada - U.S. Resiliency
Experiment II (CAUSE II)
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Agenda
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Introduction CAUSE Objectives/Principles
Experiment Video
Approach & Methodology
Scenarios 1 & 2 Information Flows
Demonstration of CA/US Information Sharing
Results & Recommendations
Next Steps
DR. DAVID BOYD
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF INTEROPERABILITY AND
COMPATIBILITY, FIRST RESPONDERS GROUP, SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
Cross Border Collaboration
Beyond the Border Action Plan on
Perimeter Security...
December 2011
Page 25: “The second working group will focus on cross-border interoperability as a means of
harmonizing cross-border emergency communications efforts. It will pursue activities that
promote the harmonization of the Canadian Multi-Agency Situational Awareness
System with the United States Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to
enable sharing of alert, warning, and incident information to improve response
coordination during binational disasters.”
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Interoperability Continuum
JACK PAGOTTO
HEAD, MULTI-AGENCY CRISIS MANAGEMENT SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, CANADA CENTER FOR SECURITY SCIENCE
(CSS) GENERAL DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CAUSE 2 Objectives
• Conduct a scenario-based, technology experiment between
Canada and the US to demonstrate the capability to enhance
situational awareness between nations during a cross-border
emergency event.
• Demonstrate the value of Federal Science and Technology
investments with and for the response community.
• Evaluate the integration of MASAS, IPAWS-OPEN, and Virtual
USA; and identify technological and operational challenges
and gaps, as well as emerging technological trends.
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CAUSE Resiliency Principles
• Keep it simple
• Experiment = Technologically Enhanced
Situational Awareness improves resiliency
• Emerging Operational Technologies only
• Federal Funding for systems engineering/
integration to bridge cross-border systems
• Leave behind =
– Cross-border trusted Relationships (Ops + Policy + S&T)
– Interfaced cross-border SA systems!
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PHILIP DAWE
PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND
DISASTER RESILIENCE, CANADA CSS GENERAL DEFENCE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Experiment Participants
Canada:
• Saint John Fire Department
• St. Stephens Fire Department
• Province of New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization
• Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science of the
Canadian Department of National Defence
• Public Safety Canada
United States:
• Calais Fire Department
• Washington County Emergency Management
• Maine Emergency Management Agency
• New Hampshire National Guard
• Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, First
Responders Group
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Kentucky Emergency Management
Experiment Scope
March 4-6, 2013 Experiment
1) March 4 – Final Dry Run
2) March 5 – Canada-based Scenario
3) March 6 – Maine-based Scenario
Two fictional cross-border scenarios:
1) Canada-based Scenario: Explosion at Saint John, NB
oil refinery
2) U.S.-based Scenario: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
truck has ruptured and exploded on roundabout near
the border
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CAUSE 2 Video
PHILIP DAWE
PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AND DISASTER RESILIENCE, CANADA CSS GENERAL
DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Data Collection Tools
• Demographic Instrument: descriptive data on
operational experience and perceptions of
integrated SA technology.
• Participant Instrument: assessed the
participants’ experiences regarding the impact
of integrated software tools on information
exchange.
• Workload: The NASA Task Load Index (NASA
TLX) measured the participants’ apparent
workload level across six dimensions
New Brunswick
Virtual Maine
US/CANADA
Canada
MASAS
Alerts
Local and
State Alerts
TV
Radio
SMS
Field Reports –
MASAS Mobile
Enabling Technologies (ALL)
Technology Breakthroughs
• MASAS integration – Model tools and workflows now exist for U.S.
agencies to consume/publish Canadian MASAS-X data from within
their native geospatial applications
• IPAWS TDL integration – Capabilities were developed to integrate
alerts and warnings aggregated by IPAWS TDL into the native
geospatial application of any U.S. state or local agency.
• Virtual USA integration – The vUSA library use was extended to
include Canadian participants for the very first time and integrated
map services from MASAS-X, IPAWS TDL, and state and provincial
incident management systems.
Technology Breakthroughs
• International mutual aid – Cross-border mutual aid resource
requests were accelerated through the MRP geospatial tool, which
enabled U.S and Canadian systems to directly access and query
available resources from MASS.
• Local, municipal, state, provincial, and federal interoperability –
Integration of 12 systems and toolsets was achieved at various
levels of government across the border.
• Mobile integration – The use and integration of MASAS Mobile and
the On-The-Go AlertingTM applications by first responders to
support creation and sharing of SA and alert and warning
information across the border through enhanced field to
headquarters reporting.
Experiment Highlights
Scenario 1 - Information Workflow
What Data Was Shared?
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Mobile incident reports
Significant event reports
EOC activations
Mobile alert creation
Public Alerts and Warnings (via text)
Requests for Mutual Aid
Mission Ready Packages
Etc.
Incident Report Generated on MASAS Mobile by
Saint John Fire
Incident Report Received NB EMO
Incident Report Generated by
NB EMO in Sentinel
Government of Canada responds to Incident Report
from New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization
U.S. Constituents Access Canadian Incident
Reports via Virtual USA
Maine EMA Receives Incident Report in Virtual
Maine
JOEL THOMAS
PORTFOLIO MANAGER, G&H INTERNATIONAL SERVICES IN
SUPPORT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
13:30 INJECT#12 – (ACTION) NB EMO queries MASS (MRP system) for foam
resources then issues IEMAC request to MEMA for resources it has found.
PEOC personnel search MASS MRP for Foam Resources, locate them, and
then contact MEMA to start IEMAC request (phone).
NB EMO
MEMA
CAUSE2 Viewer
Virtual Maine
CAUSE2 Viewer
NB Local
MASAS
vUSA
Sentinel
WebEOC
MASAS Mobile
IPAWS
On The Go Alerting
CDN Fed
MASS MRP
OCIP
Create/Use
Exchange
ME Local
Receive
NB EMO Requests Foam Trailers
Mission Ready Package Query from the Mutual
Aid Support System
Mission Ready Package Geospatial Tools
Web App
Flex Widget
Maine Accesses MRP Data
Maine Uses MRP Data
Maine Updates MRP Record in MASS
MRP Deployed/Status Change
NB EMO Uses MRP Tool
Scenario 2 - Information Workflows
Maine Generates & Shares Incident Report
Maine Incident Data
NB Receives Maine Incident Data
MEMA and Canada Send Mobile Alerts
iPad App
IPAWS Feed in vUSA
Collaborative Operating Group (COG)
Specific Alerts in Virtual Maine
Alert Received at MEMA at NB EMO
Virtual Maine depicts IPAWS Alerts
MASAS / NB EMO receives IPAWS Alerts
PHILIP DAWE
PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AND DISASTER RESILIENCE, CANADA CSS GENERAL
DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Results
• The use of integrated situational awareness tools enabled the
sharing of information to a wider, cross-border EM community and
enhanced SA within and among all EM organizations at all
governmental levels and between nations.
• The participants’ perception of technology as an enabler for
developing shared SA will be important in determining whether this
technology will be adopted and implemented effectively within an
EM organization
• Integrated SA tools enhanced the participants’ initial understanding
of the emergency event and continued to enhance their
understanding as the emergency event unfolded over time.
Results
• The most valuable types of data that were shared included
location, size/scope of problem, live shots of incidents, TwitterTM
feeds and TwitterTM monitoring system, information mapped with
symbols, potential impacts at the CA/U.S. border, and details of the
ongoing responses.
• Participants indicated that the highest workload during the
experiment was associated with the performance and mental
dimensions. Operational personnel would benefit greatly from
practicing the actual tasks that will be executed using this
technology to increase their familiarity with the systems.
Lessons Learned
• Usability of the system must be optimized for users; including
developing a clear, concise governance framework for cross-border
activities, policies, and standard operating procedures on how the
systems are to be used and when information is to be shared.
Further, all parties should use symbology consistently when
exchanging information.
• The strength of existing partnerships among EM organizations on
both sides of the border will determine the likelihood that
operational personnel will rely on and trust shared information. To
support this trust, a consistent Identity (authentication) and Access
Management (authorization and audit) System should be
considered.
Lessons Learned
• Enhanced SA may support the enhanced quality of decision making
and risk management processes, but it will not necessarily reduce
the time required to complete these activities. Decisions often
must be made based on exigencies beyond the mandate of the
operational personnel using the integrated SA tools.
• The production-level integration of IPAWS and MASAS must
continue to be considered a high priority. Currently, other than
agreements between FEMA and CSS for exploratory work, there is
no signed agreement between the U.S. and Canada to allow for
sharing of operational incident alerting information
People Focused Recommendations
• Recommendation 1 – Define Training
Requirements
• Recommendation 2 – Develop and Maintain
Partnerships.
• Recommendation 3 – Manage Personnel
Expectations for Technology Adoption.
Process/Policy-Focused Recommendations
• Recommendation 4 – Establish Governance
and Guidance
• Recommendation 5 – Generate Relevant
Architectures
• Recommendation 6 – Develop & Implement
Applicable Standards.
• Recommendation 7 – Adopt Common
Symbology Framework
Process/Policy-Focused Recommendations
• Recommendation 8 – Role Based Information
• Recommendation 9 – Generate Usage Reports
• Recommendation 10 – – Resolve
Authentication Issues
Dr. David Boyd
Director, Office of Interoperability and
Compatibility, First Responders Group, Science and
Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
Jack Pagotto
Head, Multi-Agency Crisis Management Science
and Technology, Canada Center for Security
Science (CSS) General Defence Research and
Development
For More Information
"Our Government continues to work with our partners to advance the Beyond the
Border Action Plan," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety.
"Interoperable technology improves cross border communications and therefore
contributes to building safety and security on both sides of the border. The CAUSE
demonstration highlights the important progress for harmonizing cross border response
capacity."
News
http://www.dhs.gov/interoperable-communications-across-borders
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/technology-demonstration-focuses-on-harmonizing-cross-border-emergencycommunications-efforts-2013-03-06
Beyond the Border Info
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/04/declaration-president-obama-and-prime-minister-harper-canada-beyond-bord
http://www.dhs.gov/beyond-border-shared-vision-perimeter-security-and-economic-competitiveness
http://actionplan.gc.ca/en/page/bbg-tpf/2012-beyond-border-implementation-report
Contact Us
Dr. David Boyd
Director, Office of Interoperability and Compatibility
First Responders Group,
Science & Technology Directorate
Department of Homeland Security
David.boyd@hq.dhs.gov
Jack Pagotto
Section Head, Head/Multi-Agency Crisis Management S&T
Defence R&D Canada –
Centre for Security Science (CSS)
Department of National Defence
Jack.pagotto@drdc-rddc.gc.ca
Questions?
Group Discussion
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About the NISC

National Information Sharing Consortium – Launched: June 2012
◦ Emergency Management, IT, GIS Communities
◦ Federal, Regional, Tribal, State, and Local Government
◦ Voluntary Information Sharing
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Governance documents, information sharing plans, standard operating
procedures, and software code/documentation, etc.
◦ Founding Members (June 2012)
◦ State of Oregon; Commonwealth of Virginia; State of California; City of
Charlottesville, VA; City of Charlotte, NC
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About the NISC (cont.)
• New Members (As of June 2013)
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American Red Cross
New York Fire Department
Kentucky Emergency Management
Washington Military Department
Oregon Office of Emergency Management
New Hampshire National Guard
Miami-Dade Emergency Management
Florida Division of Emergency Management
State of Washington - CIO Office
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
(representing 22 local government members in the
Washington DC area)
National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG)
Foundation
GeoGuard (representing the National Guard in each
of the 54 US States and Territories)
Golden Gate Safety Network
Orange County Fire Authority
National States Geospatial Information Council
Maryland Department of Information Technology
Maine Emergency Management Agency
Lake County (OH) GIS Department
Esri
Applied Geographics, Inc.
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Vermont Center for Geographic Information, Inc.
Pacific Disaster Center
Mercer Island (WA) Fire Department
Hawaii Office of Information Management and
Technology
Hawaii Department of Defense
Carnegie Mellon Disaster Management Initiative
DC National Guard
Delaware Department of Technology and Information
National Guard Bureau Installation and Mission
Support Directorate
General Defence Research and Development
Canada’s Centre for Security Science
Delaware Emergency Management Agency
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security
Montana State Library
Nashua, New Hampshire Office of Emergency
Management
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
Wisconsin Department of Administrative Services
Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s
Association/Charles County Association of
Emergency Medical Services
Geospatial Information and Technology Association
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About the NISC (cont.)
MISSION & GOALS
Bring together data owners, custodians, and users involved in the fields of
emergency preparedness, management, and response to drive an ongoing
dialogue on how to best leverage efforts related to the development, sharing,
and governance of technology, data, and best practices.
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Enhance situational awareness
Save time and money (resources in short supply on both state/local levels)
Utilize and maximize data already paid for
Influence national policy around public safety and emergency management
Standardize information sharing efforts on a global scale
Improve community resilience
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About the NISC
(cont.)
ELIGIBLE MEMBERS (Focus on Diversity)
• First responders
• GIS practitioner
• State/local emergency management information
and communications officers
• Mission-critical NGOs
• Private partners
• Civic leaders
• Federal agencies
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What the NISC Brings to You
NISC BOARD & ADMIN
Resource Exchange
• Practitioner-developed
Resources
— Sample MOAs/templates
— Trainings
— Policy/guidance documents
— Lessons learned
• NISC-curated Resources
— Best practices analyses, fact
sheets, tip sheets
— Case studies
— Aggregated information
• Technology Store and
Data Pipeline
— Application code
— Data sets
— Downloadable
applications
(limited or unlimited
sharing; unlimited
publish or limited
publish)
Member Portal
in Development
Interim – Sharing occurring among NISC
members
Education & Training
• Events
— “Show and Tell
Webinars”
— Educational Seminars
— NISC Annual Summit
— Special Topic
Discussions
Collaboration Space
• Initiative-focused
Work Groups
• Member Working
Groups
— Discipline focused
— Topic focused
— Solutions focused
• Technical Assistance
— Brokerage of subject
matter expertise
Monthly Special
Topic Discussions
Virtual USA® Transition
Working Group
in partnership w/DHS FRG
NISC Annual
Summit – July 2013
NSDI Leadership Forum
U.S.-Canada cross-border
initiatives
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What You Bring to the NISC
• PERSPECTIVE—as a practitioner, no one is better
positioned to convey the needs, experiences, and priorities of
our sector. You are the voice of the NISC.
• KNOWLEDGE—as a practitioner, no one is better
positioned to provide lessons learned, case studies, and best
practices to other stakeholders. You are the subject matter
experts.
• SENSE OF COMMUNITY—as a practitioner, no one is
better positioned to support other stakeholders who are vested
in a universal, shared interest. You comprise the culture.
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Coming Up
• NISC Annual Summit: July 9, 2013, San Diego, CA
• Upcoming Topics:
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GeoGuard ArcGIS Online Pilot for Shared Situational Awareness
Virtual USA® Transition
Other member driven topics—TBD
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Join Us!
• Members join on behalf of their organization
• Members are required to sign the NISC
Memorandum of Agreement
Note: The sharing of any resource, data set, or
technology code is completely voluntary
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Join Us!
(cont.)
TO JOIN
• Request a copy of the MOA
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•
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Submit your request during this meeting
Send an e-mail request to info@nisconsortium.org, or
Submit a request through our web site:
www.nisconsortium.org
• Sign and submit your MOA
•
Submit to sean.mcspaden@nisconsortium.org and
info@nisconsortium.org
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Questions?
Group Discussion
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Thank you!
For more information about joining…
visit www.nisconsortium.org
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