Communications Disaster Preparedness:

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Communications Disaster Preparedness Bureau
Overview and Priority Services
Tim Peterson Chief of Staff Public Safety
Homeland Security Bureau Federal Communications
Commission 202.418.1575
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Communications Disaster Preparedness

• PSHSBs Mission
• Promote safety of life and property through the
  use of communications services by
• Policiesdeveloping those that enhance public
  safety communications
• Activitiessupporting emergency preparedness and
  response
• Clearinghouseresources and information

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Communications Disaster Preparedness

• PSHSBs Key Priorities
• Public Safety
• Outreach
• Critical Infrastructure
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Continuity of Operations (COOP)

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Communications Disaster Preparedness

• Public Safety Policy Initiatives
• Spectrum (e.g., 700 MHz and 800 MHz)
• Public Alert and Warning (e.g., EAS)
• WARN Act
• 9/11 Act
• CALEA
• E911

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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority Services
Priority Services are key components of any
Communications Plan.
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Communications Disaster Preparedness

• Priority ServicesPolicy and Implementation
• The FCC makes the policy and sets the rules for
  TSP and WPS
• The National Communications System (NCS), a part
  of DHS, manages TSP and WPS
• The NCS manages GETS

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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority Services

• National Security Leadership
• National Security Posture and U.S. Population
  Attack Warning
• Public Health, Safety, and Maintenance of Law and
  Order
• Public Welfare and Maintenance of National
  Economic Posture

Organizations that support one or more of the
listed National Security /Emergency Preparedness
(NS/EP) mission areas, qualify to use priority
services.
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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority ServicesGETS
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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority ServicesGETS

• Cards are Free
• Can be used in combination with WPS
• Other callers not dropped from queue
• 75 cents per call
• Disaster Experience 95 Completion Rate

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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority ServicesWPS

• Subscription-based for each user no PIN
  required
• 272 access code destination number
• Can be used in combination with GETS to receive
  priority over both landline and wireless
  systems
• Activation does not bump other callers from
  queue
• 10 enrollment fee 4.50 per month 75 cents
  per call
• DHS grants cover WPS costs

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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority ServicesTSP

Rates set in most instances by State tariffs
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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Priority ServicesTSP Facts

• Twenty-three states have zero 911 circuits
  protected
• Three statesMA, TX, and WAaccount for more
  than 70 of all TSP 911 circuits
• Almost 88 of all TSP 911 circuits are within
  ten states
• DC has more TSP 911 circuits than 45 states
• DHS grants covers TSP costs

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Communications Disaster Preparedness

• TSP Enrollment
• Identify critical NS/EP services
• Work with Carrier on Circuit ID
• Notify NCS and Request Federal Sponsorship (FCC
  sponsors State Commissions)
• Receive TSP Authorization Code from NCS
• Notify Service Provider of Code
• Service Provider Establishes TSP service

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Communications Disaster Preparedness

• Priority Services
• Call Queuing
• GETSLandline (http//gets.ncs.gov/)
• WPSWireless (http//wps.ncs.gov/)
• Restoration and Provisioning
• TSPService (http//tsp.ncs.gov/)
• Hotline 1.866.NCS.CALL or 1.866.627.2255
• More Information at www.fcc.gov

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Communications Disaster Preparedness
Tim Peterson Chief of Staff Public Safety
Homeland Security Bureau Federal Communications
Commission 202.418.1575 (desk) or 202.253.1255
(mobile) timothy.peterson_at_fcc.gov www.fcc.gov w
ww.fcc.gov/pshs/