April is Emergency Communications Month. This year’s theme, Resilient Together, highlights both the importance of emergency communications in building resilient critical infrastructure and the need to work together.
CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) provides plans, resources, and training to support emergency communications for first responders. Highlighting emergency communications is important for everyone to plan for and discuss with loved ones. Let’s learn about CISA’s work today from their website highlighting emergency communications.
Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash
Overview
Emergency response personnel are tasked with responding to incidents of varying scope and incredible magnitude. Emergency communications systems are critical to transmit information that first responders rely on during a crisis. Their ability to communicate must be dependable and time-sensitive to help minimize the risk to life, property and recovery during emergencies.
CISA’s Role
CISA helps ensure the public safety, national security, and emergency preparedness communities can seamlessly and securely communicate during steady state and emergency operations to keep America safe, secure, and resilient.
CISA enhances public safety interoperable communications at all levels of government and conducts extensive, nationwide outreach to support and promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other hazards. CISA provides plans, resources, and training to support operable and interoperable emergency communications for first responders.
Emergency Communications Coordination
CISA Emergency Communications Coordination ties together disparate regional needs, fosters collaboration, and establishes overarching communication strategies that meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Emergency Communications Planning
CISA supports emergency communications officials and other leaders with strategic planning efforts to build capabilities and adopt emerging technologies.
Priority Services
Priority Services enable essential personnel to communicate when needed most if networks are degraded or congested.
Featured Content
National Emergency Communications Plan
The National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) is the Nation’s strategic plan to strengthen and enhance emergency communications capabilities and interoperability.
Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans
Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans (SCIPs) are state and local jurisdiction plans designed to enhance emergency communications. CISA provides SCIP Workshops to states and territories who need help implementing the plans.
Implementing the NECP Webinar Series
Watch this collection of webinars to learn more about the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) and how to implement it for your organization.
Resources
National Emergency Communications Plan Resources
MAY 11, 2023 | PUBLICATION A collection of documents related to the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). View Files
Priority Telecommunications Services Overview Infographic
FEB 01, 2022 | PUBLICATION An overview of Priority Telecommunications Services, which allow your calls to overcome network disruptions. Download File (PDF, 4.81 MB)
Interoperability Continuum
JUN 15, 2021 | PUBLICATION The SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum assists emergency response agencies and policy makers in planning and implementing interoperability solutions for data and voice communications. Jurisdictions across the nation can use this to track progress in strengthening communications. Download File (PDF, 2.84 MB)
Solar Eclipse Communications Planning and Resource Guide
OCT 27, 2023 | PUBLICATION A Federal Eclipse Planning Workgroup, with participation by CISA’s Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 team, has prepared resources for State, Local, Tribal, Territorial (SLTT) partners in anticipation of the October 14, 2023 and April 8, 2024 solar eclipse events. Download File (PDF, 413.64 KB)
Services
SEE ALL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans Workshops
Contact: ecd@cisa.dhs.gov. SCIPs are locally-driven, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-disciplinary statewide plans to enhance emergency communications. The SCIP creates a single resource for all stakeholders and a unified approach for enhancing interoperable communications.
Programs
Priority Telecommunications Services
CISA offers three priority telecommunications services that enable essential personnel to communicate when networks are degraded or congested: GETS, WPS, and TSP.
Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program
ICTAP supports state, local, and tribal emergency responders and government officials across all 56 states and territories through training, tools, and onsite assistance to advance public safety interoperable communications capabilities.
SAFECOM
SAFECOM works with existing federal communications programs and key emergency response stakeholders to address the need to develop better technologies and processes for the coordination of existing communications systems and future networks.
Tribal Emergency Communications
CISA supports Native American and Alaska Native nations through direct engagement, outreach, advocacy, technical assistance, and inter- and intra-agency coordination to support strengthened public safety operable and interoperable communications. For more information, contact CISA at ecd@cisa.dhs.gov.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
What’s Your Plan?
Here is an Evacuation Checklist I created, to help you prepare a “go bag”. It’s important for you to establish a communication plan with people at home and work.
Part of my communication plan is to have power sources if power on the grid goes down. This is particularly important if you are separated from those under your roof at home or work.
Practice drills are helpful. Stress can change our ability to think clearly. Having multiple practice drills creates a “muscle memory” to propel you into motion when minutes count.
To help you plan for your day-to-day life earlier vs. later, my book The Living Planner (What to Prepare Now While You Are Living) is a resource for you. Here is a direct link to my shopping cart. Check it out HERE .
For those who prefer to access information via an online portal, I’ve created a step-by-step 12-Module DIY method: Check it out HERE. Send me an Email or Message me if you have any questions. For additional information about my work check out @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner.
“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” —John Muir ❣️ Lynn
#Can’tPredictCanPrepare #PlanfortheUnplanned