Proposal for an Emergency Communications Framework In Lebanon

1. Proposal for an Emergency Communications Framework In Lebanon - IEEE Workshop - - Lebanese American University - 12 November 2011 Patrick EID Commissioner, Board Member Head of Market and Competition Unit Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Lebanon

2. Efficient management of disasters necessitates a national vision for coordination, management and implementation • National Emergency Vision • Many institutions and committees (Go and NGO) are involved in handling national emergency situations • Yet there is a lack of a unified and coordinated approach for disaster and emergency management • For instance the Higher Committee for Relief (HCR) is an inter-ministerial body that intervenes in the recovery phase of a disaster by receiving donations and distributing them according to the needs. • Lebanon lacks an overarching framework for the management of disaster, from preparedness to response and relief that would provide: • A unified and coordinated approach supported by a political consensus • One focal point for coordination and high level decision making • Specialized subcommittees • Institutionalization of emergency management through appropriate laws, regulations, processes Emergency Comm- -unications Committee National Emergency Council National Emergency Vision

3. The National Emergency Council is the key agency that has the authority and resources to coordinate with all stakeholders for disaster management • Focal Point – the National Emergency Council • The government should aim at establishing an inter ministerial body chaired by the Prime Minister to act as a focal point for coordination between all stakeholders and planning for emergency prevention, preparedness, relief and recovery phases • The focal point governmental agency (named in this presentation the National Emergency Council - NEC ) requires adequate resources and should be supported by appropriate legislation and authority for decision making and implementation. • The NEC should develop and implement an overarching national emergency strategy providing all the necessary procedures, actions and priorities for an effective response to national disasters. • The NEC should assess the potential threats, risks, vulnerabilities and available resources, draft policies for the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery of national disasters and develop a long term robust national emergency strategy. • The current prerogatives of the HCR do not cover the implementation of a national vision for disaster preparedness, relief and recovery. Its duties and responsibilities could be amended to as the NEC. Emergency Comm- -unications Committee National Emergency Council National Emergency Vision

4. The NEC should establish subcommittees in charge of developing emergency plans and addressing the technical and managerial procedures related to specific national resources, such as the Emergency Communications Committee • Subcommittees- the Emergency Communications Committee: • Managing essential national resources and utilities during emergencies entails: • Proper rationing and prioritization of water, fuel, electricity and communications means for the rescue personnel and hospitals, • planning for backups and • coordination for the dispatch of rescue personnel. • Under the umbrella of the National Emergency Council, concerned Governmental authorities and stakeholders should establish subcommittees in charge of developing emergency plans and addressing the technical and managerial procedures related to the national resources.Each subcommittee should be headed by the corresponding ministry or government agency. • Recognizing the need for a communications emergency strategy to address the shortfalls of the past and the potential failures in the future, TRA proposes the development of a national and coordinated vision for the utilization of communications during emergencies namely the Emergency Communications Plan and the formation of a subcommittee that would deal with managing communications resources under emergency situations, the Emergency Communications Committee. Emergency Comm- -unications Committee National Emergency Council National Emergency Vision

5. The emergency communications ecosystem is comprised of the committee and the corresponding set of processes, procedures and regulations issued by the committee. • Emergency Communications Management Ecosystem • For an effective coordination and management of telecommunications, broadcasting and other communications resources, an Emergency Communications Ecosystem should be developed consisting of: • Emergency Communications Committee (ECC), and • Emergency Communications Plan • The ECC provides a platform of communications between the entities who need to use the communications means for response/relief and the entities that provide those communications means (whether for their own use or for the use of other entities). • The Emergency Communications Plan (ECP) is a strategic plan with the corresponding set of rules and regulations that establishes a national and overarching vision for the utilization of telecommunications systems for emergency purposes and guide stakeholders on their specific roles and responsibilities. Emergency Communications Committee Prevention Emergency Communication Services Preparedness Response and Relief Recovery Emergency Communications Plan

6. The ECC aims at ensuring the maximum utilization of the national communications resources for the purpose of better disaster recovery and relief • Emergency Communications Committee • Goal: • Improve the ability of emergency relief and governmental agencies to maintain reliable communication during national disaster. • Ensure interoperable nationwide emergency communications systems • Ensure the continuity of essential functions in any national security emergency • Ensure that appropriate resources and human expertise are deployed effectively and efficiently during national disasters • Improve the ability of service providers and stakeholders to provide the necessary early warning systems. • Restore services and infrastructure at the earliest time. • Governance: • The ECC is not a standalone body but rather an entity that falls under the umbrella of the National Emergency Council. • It follows the National Emergency Council’s directives during the planning and implementation phases of emergency management; • however it has its own powers with relation to the directives given to stakeholders (users and providers of telecommunications). Ministerial Representation Government Level Emergency Management National Emergency Council Managerial and Technical Representation Emergency Communications Management

7. The ECC should gather representatives from all users and providers of telecommunications means during emergencies • Emergency Communications Stakeholders • The ECC should gather representatives from all users and providers of telecommunications means during emergencies. Such as: Ministry of Telecommunications (different directorate, Ogero), Ministry of Health (hospitals), Ministry of Interior (ISF, GSF, Civil Defense, etc…), TRA, Ministry of Defense (Army), Red Cross, Amateur Radio Association, Broadcasters, Telecom Operators (fixed, mobile, internet, satellite, Data, FM, TV), Ministry of Finance (Customs)…. • Governmental bodies represented in the ECC and falling under the control of one of the ministries also represented at the ECC should follow the guidelines and directive of their ministry. • Similarly telecom operators should follow the guidelines and the directive of the TRA, both represented at the ECC with regard to emergency management. National Emergency Council Emergency Communications Committee TRA Ministry of Information Ministry of Telecom Ministry of Interior Ministry of Defense Ministry of health NGOs Mobile Operators Broadcasters DGs Civil Defense Army Hospitals Red Cross Fixed Operators Satellite operators Ogero ISF

8. The Communications Plan is designed around three important axis • Emergency Communications Plan • The TRA proposes having three main axes in the development of the ECP: • a) Readiness of telecommunications systems for emergencies • Technical plans for the use of telecommunications systems and services for alerting public prior to occurrence of disasters; • Detailed recommendations to enhance the robustness and reliability of telecommunications networks and services (backup power and network element supplies, redundancies, proper protection of equipment, etc…) with corresponding timeframes and responsibilities allocation; and • Best practice guidelines for maintaining network security and integrity. • b) Emergency Communications Services • Description of the different emergency communications services needed during emergency situations • Description of the role of each telecom provider in case of disaster; • Description of the different damage levels that could occur and mapping of an action plan for each level, including the reallocation of resources and responsibilities; • Description of the recovery procedures with allocation of responsibilities and action plan; and • Description of the telecommunications means that will be used by each telecommunications user. • c) Recovery of Emergency Communications Systems: • Procedures and guidelines for the restoration of the telecommunications infrastructure and services • Review and assessment procedures for the performance of the emergency services. • Recommendation for future enhancement of emergency management procedures and technical plans.

9. As a statuary controller and regulator of the telecom sector, the TRA will work on developing the required guidelines and regulations for the appropriate preparedness and response of the telecom operators • Role of The TRA • As the Telecommunications Regulator, the TRA strives through its issued regulations, decisions and licenses to maintain and ensure continuity of communications for the Public. • To that end , the TRA will work on developing the required guidelines and regulations for the appropriate preparedness and response of the telecom operators. • In addition, the TRA and as part of the ECC, will ensure that telecom operators abide by the rules and regulations of the ECC and ensures that regulations are issued and amended according to the requirement of the emergency communications plan. • In more details the TRA will take on the following actions with regard to emergency communications: • Develop and Issue Business Continuity Guidelines for Telecom operators • Amend regulations and issue regulatory tools to ensure that regulatory barriers for the utilization of national resources are removed under emergency situations • Revise regulations and licenses for compliance with the emergency communications plan rules and regulations. • Ensure that all telecom operators abide by the rules and regulations of the ECC through TRA regulation, guidelines and Decisions. • Ensure the restoration of the telecommunications network to their normal operations after the end of the emergency situation. • Encourage the development of broadband services, in a way that networks and online services play an important role in facilitating communications among citizens and help relief operations. • Follow up ITU-R activities and try to benefit from the ITU’s assistance • Develop technical rules to promote reliable, interoperable public safety radio communications