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Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC)

Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC). DEC 101 – An Overview For the RRT3 May 16, 2012. Ronald (Ron) Zuber, REC, FEMA, Region III. DEC Strategic Goal.

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Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC)

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  1. Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC) DEC 101 – An Overview For the RRT3 May 16, 2012 Ronald (Ron) Zuber, REC, FEMA, Region III

  2. DEC Strategic Goal • Goal:Build an effective disaster emergency communications program to improve tactical communications and interoperability capabilities during disaster response. • Intent:Promote interoperable communications at the Federal, State, local, and Tribal levels that can support and provide resilient communications capabilities for response efforts. Emergency communications will incorporate voice, video and data capabilities.

  3. DEC Strategic Objectives • Support effective tactical interoperable voice, video and data communications for emergency response teams • Identify mission-critical disaster emergency communications capabilities, requirements, solution and mitigation strategies • Develop an effective command and control communications framework for the Regional Administrator • Promote communications interoperability with State and local response organizations through Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Groups (RECCWGs)

  4. DEC Coordination with the Regions, States and Localities DEC integrates with State and local agencies through the Region to provide emergency communications assistance throughout all phases of an incident • FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) provide mobile and tactical communications capabilities to support State and local agencies requesting emergency communications support • FEMA Regional Emergency Communications (REC) Coordinators report to the RA on emergency communications issues in the Region, establish relationships with State and local emergency responders, and coordinate disaster emergency communications capabilities and requirements during a response • RECCWGsserve as a coordination point for Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies at the regional level on emergency communications-related matters • FEMA State Emergency Communications Plans describe the primary and backup communications systems used by Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities and identify resources that States may request during a catastrophic event

  5. FEMA MERS Overview MERS provides operations, communications, and logistics assets in response to Presidentially declared emergencies and disasters, as well as planned National Special Security Events • Deploys, installs, and operates communications equipment in support of Federal, State, and local agencies • Provides tactical communications equipment to enable incident command and control and ensure safe and effective response and recovery operations and situational awareness • Serves as a national asset and deploys response teams and equipment from six geographically dispersed Detachments throughout the country (Bothell, WA; Denton, TX; Denver, CO; Frederick, MD; Maynard, MA; and Thomasville, GA) • Participates in various FEMA Regions activities including— • RECCWG meetings • State emergency communications planning efforts • Regional communications exercises

  6. FEMA MERS Services and Support • MERS detachments provide a wide range of support that include the following capabilities: • Land Mobile Radio (LMR) support (VHF, UHF, 800 MHz) • Portable radios and repeaters • Satellite communications • Line of sight (LOS) microwave units • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Radio over IP (RoIP) • Secure communications equipment, fax, and video teleconference • Power, water, fuel, and life support • Communications technicians to maintain and operate the equipment • Services include: • Temporary communications infrastructure support • Backup Emergency Operations Center and dispatching capabilities • Public alert and warning • Backhaul connectivity • Sheltering and facility communications

  7. BOTHELL, WA DENVER, CO MAYNARD, MA DENTON, TX THOMASVILLE, GA FREDERICK, MD

  8. MERS – Incident Response Vehicle (IRV) • On-Call (Ku-band) satellite • Phone /data /video support • HF/ VHF/ MSAT • VHF radio repeater • Telescoping radio and TV mast and antennas.

  9. IRV in Forward Area Operations The IRV as a stand-alone operations support or remote monitoring below. A portable tower and repeater supports LMR (UHF/VHF) operations above.

  10. MERS Emergency Operations Vehicle (MEOV) MEOV as forward area operations support platform

  11. MRV - Multi-Radio Van • Ku-band satellite • HF/ VHF/ UHF/ AMSAT • Repeater and Cross Patch • LOS Microwave • Landline connections

  12. Mil Air Transport of MRV and IRV

  13. Regional Emergency Communications (REC) Coordinator – Roles • Support the coordination of resources, expertise and staffing for activities and roles in the Region/RECCWGs • Lead State and Regional emergency communications plans development and provide technical expertise on existing and emerging emergency communications technologies • Serves as primary advisor to the RA on emergency communications • Supports the administration of the RECCWGsbuilding key relationships between Federal, State, local, Tribal, and private sector partners • Coordinates/participates in National, regional, cross-regional, State, and local conferences and communications exercises • Supports IMATs and ESF #2 during response, leveraging RECCWG and stakeholder relationships • During response, provides staffing to the RRCC and coordinates with/leads resources within the DEC Branch

  14. RECCWG Overview The Department of the Homeland Security Act of 2007, Title XVIII Section 1805 (Pub.L. 109-295) established the RECCWGs • RECCWGs are planning and coordinating bodies responsible for providing a forum to assess and address the survivability, sustainability, operability, and interoperability of emergency communications at all levels • RECCWGs serve as a single coordination point for emergency communications at the regional level • RECCWGs are regionally focused and are expected to have unique membership dependent on regional government structure and processes • Membership includes Federal, State, local, and Tribal representatives from emergency response organizations FEMA has principle responsibility to help establish and support the RECCWGs, but the focus and direction of the RECCWGs is determined by the RECCWG members

  15. RECCWG Statutory Duties Assess the survivability, sustainability, and interoperability of local emergency communications systems to meet the goals of the NECP Ensure a process for the coordination of effective multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency emergency communications networks for use during natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters through the expanded use of emergency management and public safety communications mutual aid agreements Coordinate the establishment of Federal, State, local, and Tribal support services and networks designed to address the immediate and critical human needs in responding to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters Report annually to the relevant RA, the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on the status of its region in building robust and sustainable interoperable voice and data emergency communications networks Each RECCWG must report to the RA and coordinate their activities with the relevant Regional Advisory Council

  16. RECCWG Membership and Partnership

  17. RECCWG Benefits • Key Coordination Venue • Serves as a key venue for coordination among Federal, State, local and Tribal emergency response organizations across each FEMA Region • Encourages collaboration among State, local, and Tribal emergency response organizations to share lessons learned and best practices and to conduct planning across State boundaries • Inter-State and Regional Planning • Promotes consistent and collaborative efforts for regional and inter-state communications planning and technical solutions • Provides a vision into regional preparedness efforts by serving as a mechanism for State, local, and Tribal agencies to help FEMA and other Federal agencies define and integrate emergency communications support during an incident • Ability to Influence National and Regional Activities • Supports the ability for State, local, and Tribal entities to influence and provide input to National (e.g., grant processes, ECPC) and regional emergency communications-related activities

  18. Command and Control Evacuation Sheltering Interoperability Sustainability Operability Critical Missions Search and Rescue Commodities Medical Debris Removal Communications Considerations State Emergency Communications Plans • An integrated Federal, State, local, and Tribal approach to ensuring effective communications coordination prior to and immediatelyfollowing an incident • Identifies key Federal, State and local emergency response agencies, and technical capabilities and resources • Establishes relationships with key response organizations at all levels of government • Provides a comprehensive view of communications requirements and mitigation strategies for seven mission areas • Supplements and leverages existing State and local communications plans (e.g., SCIP, TICP)

  19. State ECP Benefits • Enables rapid coordination and deployment of Federal resources to support State and local needs during an event • Establishes relationships with Federal, State, local, and Tribal response organizations • Provides a comprehensive view of State and local requirements and response capabilities • Identifies mitigation strategies and pre-scripted mission assignments for support from Federal agencies • Produces results that serve as input to RECCWG efforts

  20. Improvements Made Since PKEMRA Enhancements to Tactical Communications • Development and implementation of the FEMA National Response Network (NRN) to facilitate tactical communications within FEMA and across Federal, State, local, and Tribal responders • Improvements in communications capabilities such as the Mini Emergency Operations Vehicle (MEOV) and portable radio tower trailers to increase tactical support capabilities for emergency responders • Establishment of additional portable radio caches for communications interoperability with emergency responders at all levels of government Strengthening Stakeholder Relationships • Establishment of REC Coordinators in each of the 10 Regions to serve as an advisor to the RA on emergency communications, facilitate emergency communications planning, and support RECCWGs • Establishment of the 10 RECCWGs in the Regions to serve as a focal point for stakeholder coordination at all levels of government for emergency communications issues in the Regions Understanding of Communications Requirements • Development of 43 State and Territory Emergency Communications Plans focused on communications requirements at the State, local, and Tribal levels, with additional plans under development • Development of a Technology Roadmap to define a path forward for identifying new and emerging technologies to support future tactical communication needs

  21. Questions?

  22. Contact • Ronald (Ron) Zuber • 215-931-2892 Desk • ronald.zuber@fema.dhs.gov

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