CTC provided the concept, business case analysis, engineering design, and project management for the National Capital Region Interconnection Network—a 120-mile public safety network interconnecting 19 fiber-optic based government networks in the greater Washington, D.C. region. This network was conceived as a backbone for interoperable communications that could take advantage of existing fiber infrastructures the governments already controlled. CTC worked closely with the technical teams of each jurisdiction and performed a comprehensive review of existing technologies and capabilities in the individual participating jurisdictions along with potential synergies and standards, as well as the emergent needs for security, availability, and data exchange.

CTC then designed a “system of systems” architecture that linked each of the jurisdictions together with a highly flexible and scalable design while preserving the existing architecture and business processes in each jurisdiction.

The network is currently in the final stages of deployment, but is already supporting mission-critical communications such as CAD-to-CAD exchanges and mutual aid requests, and has reduced response times for such requests dramatically. CTC is also providing expertise on the developing governance of the interoperability infrastructure which leverages the network design implemented by CTC, articulating the handoffs between the interoperating systems.

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a consortium of jurisdictions, requested that CTC perform a feasibility study for an information technology recovery center that would enable the participants’ IT resources to remain functional in the event of a natural or other disaster. CTC determined the likely range of costs for a recovery center, the interconnection network required to serve the facility, the center’s potential capabilities, and the advantages and disadvantages of a community-owned center relative to a leased facility or leased recovery service.

CTC prepared system-level design recommendations and cost estimates for an extensive, county-wide system to support interactive and on-demand video training communications for the county’s Fire Department. The system design leveraged the County’s existing fiber-optic communications network, which connects all Fire Department facilities, and incorporated capabilities to enhance emergency collaboration and routine staff meetings to minimize wasted travel time for key personnel.

CTC also developed a design for a video presentation and conferencing system for the Fire Department’s operations system, intended to support communications and coordination among key personnel during an emergency situation. The system will also support routine training and briefings.

CTC assessed the feasibility of constructing a mobile video production vehicle to support live remote broadcasts over the County’s public, educational, and governmental (PEG) cable channels, and potentially to serve as a mobile communications hub and control room for emergency communications. Our team prepared a baseline system-level design to identify the basic functionality possible within the target price range, with several optional design components identified.

CTC provided the City of Annapolis with a wireless broadband infrastructure plan to address the city’s public safety needs. The report included both a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of current wireless technologies and a list of evaluation characteristics to weigh when deciding on what goals and functionality the network should satisfy. Based on a needs assessment and feasibility analysis of existing municipal infrastructure, our team provided engineering design recommendations for the deployment of a municipal wireless network. We have maintained a relationship with Annapolis and have provided support during the request for proposal process to select a vendor and construct the network.