Safer Buildings Coalition, NICET team on in-building public safety communications

The Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC), a trade association purpose-built to lead national policy and education for in-building wireless services, and the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), a personnel certification authority for various technical fields, have announced the groups' collaboration in creating the new In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) certification program, available now.

IB-PSC Technician Level I is the first of the three progressive technician levels, which along with the single level IB-PSC Design track will establish minimum qualifications for engineering technicians engaged in the detailing and layout, installation and maintenance, and/or designing of in-building public safety communication systems. Technician Level II and III are expected to become available later in 2021, while the Design track will debut in the coming weeks.

The groups note that Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) are critical to providing coverage inside buildings, and due to their connection with the broader network must be implemented properly to eliminate interference.

While NICET developed the certification program, SBC, in parallel but independently, is creating an IB-PSC handbook and study guide. The handbook will be available for purchase late summer this year. SBC is proud to collaborate with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) to create and roll out the handbook.

The collaboration between NICET and SBC is expected to establish the value and credibility of proper training and certification with the goal of increasing competency across all industry stakeholders. Hundreds of practitioners and industry leaders have participated in the program's initial study, job task analysis, question writing/review process, establishing passing scores, and determining experience and performance-level requirements.

The technical areas covered include knowledge of radio frequency theory, equipment mounting requirements, delivered audio quality scale, business software and mathematics, communications using project specifications and documents, site survey data and design tools, and interpretation and evaluation of surveys. (See https://www.nicet.org/IB-PSC).

“We are so pleased to be able to partner with NICET in developing this essential credentialing program that finally establishes true qualifications for personnel involved in the design and installation of emergency responder communication enhancement systems (ERCES),” said Chief Alan Perdue, Safer Buildings Coalition's Executive Director. “AHJs, public safety radio system operators, building owners, and the industry as a whole have long sought evidence of competency that goes beyond the FCC General Radiotelephone Operators License (GROL).”

“Launching this new program is due to the efforts of dedicated industry practitioners, subject matter experts, SBC, other stakeholders, and NICET staff,” concluded NICET Senior Director, Chip Hollis, “It is their effort and flexibility during these challenging times that made it happen. I am honored that NICET can be part of the solution to ensure communications coverage for emergency responders.”

To learn more about SBC: The Safer Buildings Coalition, visit https://www.saferbuildings.org/.

To learn more about NICET: The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, visit www.nicet.org.