AFAC Information Exchange Standards: Common Alerting Protocol and Inter-CAD Messaging
April 2008
Introduction
This information expresses the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) position in relation to the handling of information relating to alert and dispatch messaging.The position expressed here has been derived from findings resulting from research and investigation into local and international developments towards improving interoperability and information exchange.
Full details of the rationale and considerations used in determining the position as stated in this paper are outlined in the AFAC Discussion Paper: National Information Exchange Standards, a foundation to establish interoperability within the emergency services.
Purpose
The purpose of establishing this position is to create a base upon which fire and emergency services can progressively develop systems and processes that lead to the seamless exchange of information and improved community safety outcomes.Scope
This position relates only to issues associated with the handling of alert warning and inter-CAD messaging, with affect to AFAC member agencies.The extent to which all other emergency management organisations subscribe to the standards as endorsed by AFAC member agencies has been referred to the responsible Australian Commonwealth agency for consideration.
Position
AFAC member agencies will use when ready to do so:- the OASIS Common Alerting Protocol, V1.1 and/or its derivative as the standard alerting protocol for handling the essential content of alert warning messages, and
- the Inter-CAD Emergency Messaging System (ICEMS) Issue 4, Rev 2 and/or its derivative as the standard for handling the exchange of information between Computer Aided Dispatch platforms.
These standards are adopted, regardless of the technology by which they will be delivered.
Glossary
OASIS - Organisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Systems, USAICEMS – Inter-CAD Emergency Messaging System, developed by Emergency Systems Technology Pty Ltd and the National Emergency Communications Working Group, Australia
Supporting Documentation
AFAC Discussion Paper: National Information Exchange Standards, a foundation to establish interoperability within the emergency services, 2007ICEMS: Functional Design Specifications, Issue 4 Rev 2, March 2007
OASIS: Common Alerting Protocol, V1.1 October 2005
