The September visit by Pope Francis to the United States was the largest National Special Security Event (NSSE) in US Secret Service history. Multiple events in three major cities characterized it as a "moving target" with constantly changing details.
FirstNet technology had the opportunity to deploy as the state of New Jersey lent Philadelphia four deployable Systems on Wheels (SOW) using the FirstNet spectrum. Two vehicles with JerseyNet LTE gear provided coverage when Pope Francis traveled outside of the Philadelphia during a prison visit. LTE communications supplemented and interoperated with the LMR network. Network flexibility allowed connections between local, state and federal partners using moveable assets in Philadelphia linked to network sites in New Jersey.
Participants noted that devices on the JerseyNet system worked well in an urban environment. Full connectivity was partially attributed to the total user population of 40, averaging about 4.5 GB per hour of data use. If needed, backup satellite connectivity enabled a reduced data stream, but still maintained all voice communications.
Philadelphia officials foresee a partnership with New Jersey next year when they host the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Assets will be deployed over a greater geographic area and for a longer period of time. For New Jersey, continued lend/lease offers opportunities for further testing with the chance to host more users and applications on the system.
A long term view is integrated solutions will deliver comprehensive review and assessment of data interoperability as LMR networks bridge LTE networks on the FirstNet spectrum
After Action discussion in Philadelphia noted that jumbotrons and screen placement assisted crowd control. This has also been used on the National Mall as seen in the attached photo from the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. One lesson learned in Philadelphia was to avoid blocking access to public transit locations with screens.
Events of this magnitude demonstrate potential for applications to track supplies, staffing and other accounting issues in real time. As changes in deployment and circumstances unfold, tracking supplies avoids delays while accurate staffing reports are important for timely reimbursement from federal authorities or another institution. In Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families was responsible for some staffing with overtime owed estimated currently between $5 and 12 million but reimbursement was delayed due to a lengthy review of staffing records.
In Washington, the majority of staffing reimbursements were from federal funds but some smaller events were the responsibility of the local Archdiocese. District users tracked staffing with on line templates that allow for timely submission.
During the Washington visit, much attention focused on the Metro subway system, which in normal times is America's second-busiest. Not only was Metro expected to provide normal service, but Brookland, the closest station at the Pope’s event in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, is also the smallest station in the system. Crowd control was vital by holding back riders from entering the fare gates until platforms cleared along with supplemental bus service, resulting in no adverse issues.
As with other events in the District, successful coordination among the various interagency command centers was key and reinforced the point that the most crucial elements of interoperable communications are the users. The constant need to share information during a high threat event leads to an interest in continued access to databases so cities, counties and the federal government can review updates and share intelligence data in real time. Prior to the Papal Visit a joint intelligence product was produced by law enforcement agencies in the three affected cities that reviewed the potential threat picture and reviewed past attacks on pontiffs. Some of these same concepts will be applied to the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Washington