ANNEX FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISION DISASTER COMMUICATIONS GUIDELINES:
Emergency Communications
Background
During emergencies, the importance of our country’s communications systems becomes clear. These communications systems include the wire-line and wireless telephone networks, broadcast and cable television, radio, Public Safety Land Mobile Radio, satellite systems and increasingly the Internet. For example, in an emergency, we may dial 911, call our family members to make sure they are safe, and turn on our televisions and radios to get breaking news and important updates. Although our communications systems are among the worlds’ most extensive and dependable, unusual conditions can put a strain on them.
Since September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken important steps to ensure that 911 services and other critical communications remain operational when disasters strike. For example, in response to recommendations of an independent panel reviewing the impact of Hurricane Katrina, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) is working on several fronts to improve communications during emergencies, including streamlining collection of outage information during times of crisis through the Disaster Information Reporting System, helping ensure that communications workers receive “essential personnel” credentials during emergencies, working with other federal agencies to improve interoperability among first responders, and promoting use of enhanced 911 best practices. For more information regarding these and other initiatives, visit PSHSB’s website. (http://www.fcc.gov/public-safety-homeland-security-bureau)
The following information will help you better understand what happens to our communications systems during an emergency and how best to use our communications systems during a crisis or disaster.
Emergency Communications Components
There are three main components to emergency communications:
- 911 call processing and delivery through Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) and call dispatch;
- The Emergency Alert System; and
- Radio and/or broadcast or cable television station news and updates.
All of these components must operate effectively in order to achieve a successful response to an emergency.
Network and Power Outages
The FCC has established the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) to allow wireless, wireline, broadcast and cable providers voluntarily to report on the status of their infrastructure and operations during times of crisis. This information is not made public, but allows the FCC to monitor and evaluate communications services during a crisis. DIRS supplements the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS). Through NORS, the FCC requires wireless, wireline, cable and satellite companies providing voice and paging services to report significant disruptions or outages to their networks, and disruptions affecting 911 facilities or airports. Again the data is not made public, but allows the FCC to monitor and evaluate disruptions and outages.
If there is a power outage during an emergency, your wireline phone, wireless device or VoIP service may not work unless you have a back-up power supply. If you suffer only an electrical power outage, you should still be able to use a traditional wireline (but not cordless) telephone, because electrical and telephone transmissions use different circuits or wires and telephone company facilities have back-up power available. If you keep the battery on your wireless phone or other device fully charged, these devices should also continue working during a power outage.
Note that because wireless networks may be congested during an emergency, sending a text message may work better than placing a voice call. Finally, unless you have a battery-operated TV or radio, these devices will not work during a power outage.
911 call centers or PSAPs currently lack the technical capability to receive texts, photos and video.
Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Information
For additional information on communicating during emergencies and helpful tips on emergency preparedness, visit the website of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. You may also want to visit the websites of these other federal government emergency organizations:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for preventing terrorist attacks within the United States and reducing America’s vulnerability to terrorism. DHS established the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS), which rates terrorist threats to federal, state and local authorities and the public utilizing a system of color codes. Currently, a new alert system is being implemented. The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) replaces the color codes of the HSAS. The new alert system is now in a 90 day implementation period that began on January 27, 2011. The existing HSAS will remain in effect until the end of the implementation period. NTAS will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector.
For More Information
For information about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau website, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
