Providence Urban Area Security Initiative (P-UASI) Video Teleconference (VTC) Network

Background. The Providence Urban Area Security Initiative (P-UASI) consists of the nine (9) Providence metropolitan communities. They are; Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, North Providence, West Warwick, Johnston and Central Falls. These cities comprise approximately 60% of the entire population of the State of Rhode Island or approximately 600,000 residents.

Purpose. The UASI program focuses on enhancing regional preparedness in major metropolitan areas like Providence. The UASI program directly supports the National Priority on expanding regional collaboration and is intended to assist participating jurisdictions in developing integrated regional systems for prevention, protection, response and recovery.

Video Teleconference (VTC) Network. The VTC Network project is funded by grants from the FY09 and FY10 DHS UASI and MMRS Grant Programs. The Project Manager is the Director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The VTC Network is comprised of the nine (9) Mayors/Town Managers, nine (9) Police Chiefs, nine (9) Fire Chiefs, nine (9) Emergency Management Directors and nine (9) Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). Additionally, we have also connected the Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management into the initial phase of the VTC Network roll-out. The project creates a regional capability by connecting Public Safety officials and EOCs via a video link from desktop to desktop or mobile devices. Users are able to talk one-to-one, together or as a group. Users can share real-time information face-to-face saving precious time when seconds count. The system can be used for routine operations or during emergencies.

How to Get Connected to the P-UASI VTC Network?

In order to connect to individuals and conferences hosted in the UASI VTC environment, you will need a standards based H323 or SIP video endpoint. This can be a Cisco (Tandberg), Polycom or LifeSize endpoint. Your video system will need to be connected to the Public Internet.

There are many benefits to joining the P-UASI VTC Network, including shared address book, access to video conference bridges, content and recording systems, monitoring and firewall traversal.

The UASI network supports both Standard SIP and Standard H323 systems. Users who are on Cisco Movi may also dial-in (follow the SIP instructions below).

Dialing for P-UASI Members

Members of the P-UASI network can dial directly to each other by entering the extension number of the person you wish to reach. This is a six digit extension number. Simply enter the extension then click dial.

If you are unsure of the person's extension number, you can look it up using the phonebook feature of your video system.

H323 Extension Dialing

Tandberg and Cisco Endpoints

Each end endpoint in the in the P-UASI network is assigned an extension number, representing the town, department and position. When dialing to a member of the network from a Tandberg or Cisco endpoint, you can simply dial as follows: Extension@131.109.254.22

Polycom & LifeSize Endpoints

When dialing from a Polycom or a LifeSize endpoint, the structure of how your dial is slightly different than a Tandberg or a Cisco endpoint. When dialing from a Polycom or LifeSize endpoint, you enter: 131.109.254.22##Extension

SIP Dialing via URI

SIP URI dialing is a newer method of dialing, it is designed to be more like email addresses. As such, from a SIP enabled endpoint (including Tandberg & Cisco) you can dial simply by entering: town.position@ricopvtc.com

How can I get listed on the Providence UASI VTC Network Phonebook?

If you wish to add your organization to the P-UASI VTC Phonebook, we can accommodate your system/organization in one of two ways. If you are connected to a Video Communication Infrastructure such as Tandberg TMS, we can share phonebooks and contacts by linking the two environments dynamically. If you video system is not part of a VTC infrastructure and you wish to have your name added to the phonebook, please send an email to PEMA@providenceri.com .

If I am using Google Chat or Skype, can I join?

At this time, connecting into the P-UASI VTC network using Google Chat or Skype is not possible. These systems (and others like them) are proprietary and not standards based so they cannot communicate with the P-UASI VTC network.

For questions or assistance please contact PEMA at 401-680-8000 or PEMA@providenceri.com .