Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG)

Making First Responder Interoperability a Priority

Registration is the first step to learning more about the Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG). Membership is open to individuals or organizations interested in improving public safety interoperability. If you are qualified to be a member, submit your application on the members’ page.

The Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (CITIG) brings together representatives from public safety, industry, academia, government and non-governmental organization to collectively shape the future of Canadian public safety interoperability. The CITIG provides:

• a proactive mechanism for exchanging unbiased information and knowledge amongst stakeholders across all levels of government on public safety communications interoperability (i.e., the five aspects - governance, standard operating procedures, technology, training & exercise and usage - as per SAFECOM model, a key framework for ehancing communications interoperability widely adopted in Canada);
• a mechanism for facilitating the development and implementation of communications interoperability best practices (i.e., Canadian Communications Interoperability Plan led by Public Safety Canada, SAFECOM, national and regional workshops, etc.);
• a means to improve responder capabilities in emergency management, in day-to-day operationsand to tackle crime; and
• a way to interface with industry/academia/allied partners (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.K. National Police Improvement Agency, etc.) with public safety communications interoperability stakeholders and federal and provincial funding programs in order to address communication interoperability gaps.

Launched in April 2007, the CITIG has evolved into a partnership between the Government of Canada’s Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC), the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) and Emergency Medical Services Chiefs of Canada (EMSCC).

Major Accomplishments

CITIG has been very successful since its inception - achievement, good will and momentum are at an all-time high. In short, CITIG has:

• significantly increased awareness about interoperability challenges and helped provide useful tools for practitioners and policy-makers to overcome those challenges;
• promoted the effective use of resources, particularly through the sharing of best practices adapting international work to Canadian needs; and
• enhanced communications within and cooperation among responder agencies and between many levels of government, both in Canada and internationally.