If you are a member of a current EU-funded project related to public safety communications, we invite you to use the opportunity and exhibit at the Poster Session taking place alongside the next PSCE Conference from 17^th to 19^th May 2016 in Brussels. The Poster Session will be open to all partners of relevant EU-funded projects or organisations wishing to exhibit related solutions or concepts.

The price for participating in the Poster Session is EUR 150 and only those registered for the PSCE Conference are eligible to take part. All the exhibited posters will be showcased throughout the three-day Conference and included in the final version of the agenda and the Conference report.

More information on the PSCE Conference can be found here. The key themes of the PSCE Conference this time are future communication networks, pan-European information space, emergency handling, and how Copernicus and Galileo services can support crisis management.

On 27^th April 2016, the European Commission signed a contract to fund the BROADMAP project, coordinated by Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Forum and with a team of 15 PPDR (Public Protection and Disaster Relief) end user organisations to work together to define the future of interoperable broadband applications, services, networks and devices.

Key facts:

• The BROADMAP project, lasting 12 months, starts on 1^st May 2016
• PPDR end users from 15 European countries will work together to establish a common roadmap for future evolution of EU PPDR radio communications.
• A series of workshops will be held around Europe between June and August to consult with an even broader community of end user stakeholders.
• Specifications and transition road mapping of future broadband PPDR radio communication in EU will be available in 2017.
• Requirements, specifications, solutions and roadmaps will lead towards new interoperable broadband capabilities deployed with an operational expectation within 8-10 years.

The BROADMAP project will take the first steps towards future co-funded procurement necessary to enable ‘interoperable next generation of broadband radio communication systems for public safety and security’ to enhance interoperability across borders and improve PPDR service to European citizens.

BROADMAP will collect and validate the PPDR organisations’ requirements, leveraging existing study investments, with the aim to establish a core set of specifications and roadmap for procurement to achieve future evolution of EU broadband applications and interoperable radio communication solutions for PPDR.

The BROADMAP partnership comprises 15 potential buyers/end users representing EU Member States and associated countries; 8 of which represent the Ministry within the country responsible for public safety and 7 representing other PPDR end user organisations and public safety network operators. 48 additional PPDR organisations have already signed letters of support for the BROADMAP project, expanding geo-political coverage within 7 additional EU and associated countries plus support from stakeholders in the US. BROADMAP workshops will further expand these numbers.

The BROADMAP proposal formation was initiated in 2014 on the request of PSCE’s User Committee members. It has taken 16 months to gather together the strongest team of end users, a delicately balanced strategy, and the necessary contractual arrangements to start the project.

The outcomes of BROADMAP are essential to support the future procurement of necessary R&D and innovative products needed to fulfil the validated requirements for broadband interoperable networks for PPDR and critical communications.

PSCE’s next conference will be held in Brussels on the 18^th and 19^th May 2016, where the BROADMAP project will be introduced to delegates for the first time and carry on the debate around the improvements needed to communication systems and processes to support Public Safety and Disaster Recovery. Topics will include:

• Future communication networks
• Dynamic Information sharing
• Handling emergency
• How Copernicus and Galileo services support crisis management

David Lund, President of PSCE and coordinator of BROADMAP says: “It’s been a lengthy process but the collective enthusiasm of the partnership is unprecedented. We have a truly motivated and influential team”

Manfred Blaha, Chair of PSCE User Committee says: “BROADMAP is a milestone on the broad way for PPDR organisations to get a broadband network. It is not only to follow technological trends for a new gadget. It is about giving First Responders some data-rich communications tool for their live-saving duty. It is about serving our citizens best possible.”

Heikki Riippa, The Police Board, Finland says: “PPDR operational way of working is in transition throughout Europe – high speed wireless connectivity is mandatory to address the pressure from the changing society towards – BROADMAP partnership is key to address this evolution”

Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) is a non-profit organization, providing a platform for collaborative work between users, industry and research organisations in order to exchange ideas, best practices and develop a roadmap for future public safety communications. PSCE is committed to fostering better public safety communications for the security of all citizens.

For more information, visit the BROADMAP website www.broadmap.eu or write to project coordinator PSCE at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

At the beginning of April, the European Commission presented its new Communication on Stronger and Smarter Information Systems for Borders and Security. Although a number of systems already exist at EU level for data gathering and exchange, the data architecture of these systems needs to be improved in order to effectively face modern day threats.

Putting particular emphasis on the Schengen Information System, Interpol’s database on Stolen and Lost Travel Documents, and the Visa Information System, the Communication presents a series of ideas on how the existing systems could be improved and how new information systems should be created to address information gaps. Interoperability of these systems is a key aspects that will need to be addressed. This has previously also been pointed out in the European Agenda on Security.

Going further, the Communication explores how existing and future information systems could enhance both external border management and internal security in the EU. It makes a strong reference to the Passenger Name Records (PNR) directive, which was recently adopted by the European Parliament, and points out some aspects that need to be taken into account in future information systems to ensure that border guards, customs authorities, police officers and judicial authorities have the necessary information at their disposal.

The European Commission Communication is available here.

On 14^th April, the European Parliament approved the new directive on Passenger Name Records (PNR), which regulates their use throughout the EU to ensure prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crimes. Approved by 461 votes to 179, with 9 abstentions, the directive is seen as a big step in the fight against human trafficking and international terrorism.

According to the Directive, Member States will have to set up “Passenger Information Units” (PIUs), which will be tasked with collecting, storing and processing PNR data, as well as transmitting the data to relevant authorities. The information collected in PIUs will have to be retained in the system for five years. However, any information related to an individual’s identity will be deleted after six months.

The processing of data related to an individual’s race or ethnic origin, political opinions, religion or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, health, sexual life or sexual orientation is banned in the Directive.

The scope of the Directive currently concerns only flights coming from outside the EU or going from the EU to countries outside the Union. However, Member States will be able to extend the scope to cover flights within the EU.

The Directive, after having been adopted by the European Parliament, now needs to be approved by the Council. Then, once published in the EU Official Journal, Member States will have two years to transpose the directive into their national legislation.

The European Parliament press release is available here.