58 -- PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS SYMPOSIUM PANEL DISCUSSION AND EXHIBIT ON CURRENT SOLUTIONS TO PUBLIC SAFETY WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INTEROPERABILITY

The Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN) Program, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will co-sponsor a symposium at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles, California, on January 28-30, 2003. (See www.pswn.gov or call 1-800-565-PSWN for additional information on the symposium.) This symposium is intended to stimulate networking and firsthand information exchanges among attendees, equipment manufacturers, and commercial wireless service providers. The vendor panel discussion will focus on equipment currently available, which allows public safety agencies to enhance their level of communications interoperability utilizing their existing equipment. This is desired in that additional spectrum and funding to purchase new equipment is not available and public safety agencies will be required to utilize existing equipment for the next several years. The symposium participants will include local, state, and federal chief information officers, congressional staffers, elected and appointed officials, and public safety executives. The PSWN Program envisions an informative panel discussion by users of existing wireless solutions, manufacturers, and commercial service providers. Also, there is an opportunity for vendors to set up tabletop exhibits for participants to ask additional questions about their solutions. The vendor panel [up to seven (7) seats] is planned for January 29, 2003 from 2:45-3:45 p.m.. The information shared during this panel discussion should focus on current technical solutions, but should be presented in an easy to understand format for participants from both more technical and less technical backgrounds. Approximately 10 tabletop exhibits are planned for January 29, 2003 from 3:45-5:30 p.m. Vendors will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Any arrangements or costs including a $75 skirted table will be the responsibility of the vendor. The symposium co-sponsors will not provide transportation, per diem, or other resources or support for vendors participating in the discussion or exhibit. Vendors desiring to send a representative to participate in the panel and/or the tabletop exhibits should make their request via e-mail (preferred), by fax, or in writing to: Mrs. Carole Kirsch, PSWN Program, P.O. Box 3926, Fairfax, VA 22038, (E-mail [email protected], Phone: 703-279-2006, Fax: 703-279-2032). Requests must specify company and participant by name, and provide the following point-of-contact information: business mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address. Requests should be received no later than Monday, December 30, 2002. Participation in the symposium and exhibit will be confirmed by Friday, January 10, 2003.