Disaster Communications System (DCS) Overview for State and Local Governments

National Conference on Emergency Communications (NCEC)

Panel 5: State and Local Emergency Communications Needs

Presented by Joe Sifer, Booz Allen Hamilton

Washington, DCDecember 13, 2005

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Overview

Communications Systems Threats and Threat Agents

Defining Disaster Communications Systems

Operationalizing Disaster Communications Systems

Implementation of an “Integrated” Approach to Disaster Communications

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Significant events and disasters can cause primary communications systems to be lost, diminishing emergency response effectiveness…

Planning and implementing comprehensive primary and back-up communications solutions is essential to maintaining critical operations

Events Impacting Communications Systems

NATURAL HUMAN TECHNOLOGICAL

Earthquake Terrorist attack Hardware failure

Severe storm (e.g., hurricane, winter storm)

TamperingInterruption of commercial

power

Electrical storm Theft of assetsFailure of backup electrical systems

Extreme temperaturesUnauthorized use of

system resourcesLoss of infrastructure

connectivity

FloodingRadio frequency

interferenceLoss of infrastructure site

facility

WildfireInterception of signals/

wiretappingLoss of back room or

electronics bank

Lightning Spoofing Software failure

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A Disaster Communications System (DCS) should provide primary and back-up communications alternatives

A DCS strategy assumes a communications system must be operable before it can be interoperable

A DCS can include multiple technical solutions for both responders and the public including:

- Traditional public safety systems (e.g., tactical radio, E911);

- Terrestrial and commercial wireless systems (e.g., cellular, satcom);

- Quickly deployable commercial or private equipment/systems for use when traditional systems are inoperable (e.g., satellite, cellular on wheels, transportable radio systems)

- Emergency notification systems and text messaging;

- Amateur radio/HF radio;

- Satellite television services;

- Government-sponsored emergency communications services (e.g., GETS, WPS);

- Survivability solutions (e.g., alternate power and charging sources)

A Disaster Communications System is a set of technical solutions that provides responders and the public the ability to communicate in extreme situations

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Procedures and protocols should be developed to assure effective deployment of primary and back-up solutions during an event

Training is crucial for users to understand when, where, and how to use solutions

Exercises should include injects that require participants to respond to communications problems and failures

Routine testing of DCS components/equipment Technical support staff (government and vendor) should be

ready for deployment to the field to ensure equipment/system is operational, conduct programming and maintenance, and help users troubleshoot problems

Logistics planning should cover processes to requisition and deploy equipment and ensure access to affected areas for technical support staff

As with any communications system, operationalizing a DCS is critical to mission success during an emergency

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Operational requirements

Interoperability requirements

Citizen-based requirements

State and regional emergency management plans and policies

COOP plans

National Response Plan (NRP) and National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Lessons learned from previous events

Vendor solutions understanding

FUNDING!

Disaster Communications Planning Drivers

Effective leadership is critical to planning, approving, and funding disaster communications solutions

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Solving disaster communications challenges requires an integrated approach across intergovernmental and private sector boundaries…

Disaster communications must be addressed holistically and not through the lens of one agency or department

- Horizontal: The need to coordinate within the same government level (e.g., federal-to-federal)

- Vertical: The need to coordinate across government levels (e.g., federal-to-state)

- External: The need to coordinate outside traditional government agencies (e.g., private sector to government, civil government with military)

Existing federal government programs should be leveraged to help agencies plan and fund disaster communications systems

Local

State

Federal

State A State B

Local A

Local B Local C

Local A

Local B Local C

Federal A

Federal BFederal C

Ver

tica

l C

oo

rdin

atio

n

Horizontal Coordination

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The implementation of an effective, nationwide DCS strategy requires a comprehensive set of near and long-term activities

Engage government agencies and the private sector to glean lessons learned

Robustly define the problem and raise the awareness level of disaster communications needs to policy makers

Develop a disaster communications system planning methodology

Identify and respond to high-risk areas requiring immediate solutions

Identify synergies for federal communications programs to more effectively address the problem

Coordinate with existing communications working groups

Develop and implement funding strategies for state and local agencies and regional response structures

Implement disaster communications policy and program changes

Examine and respond to needs for standards and spectrum requirements

Institutionalize disaster communications planning into local, state, and federal disaster response plans

Provide educational and technical assistance to help agencies perform disaster communications planning and implementation

“Near-Term” ActivitiesProblem Definition and

High-Risk Area Solution Development

“Long-Term” ActivitiesEstablishment of a Nationwide Disaster

Communications Strategy

We must be prepared to restore communications capabilities during a disaster TODAY, while institutionalizing a culture of integrated disaster

planning and policy development over the long-term

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For additional information contact:

Joe Sifer 703-902-4573