1. National Communications System (NCS) Government – Industry Partnership in Emergency Communications Response
November 16, 2011
Jeffrey Glick
Chief, Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch
National Communications System (NCS)

2. Goals The goal of this panel is to:
Educate the audience on the mission and responsibilities of the National Communications System (NCS) before, during, and after a disaster
Highlight how NCS employs a public-private partnership framework to provide national security and emergency preparedness communications solutions to stakeholders

3. NCS Mission
Assist the President, the National Security Council, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the exercise of telecommunications functions and responsibilities, coordination of the planning for and provision of National Security and Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) communications for the Federal government under all circumstances
This is not the official NCS mission statement – so we need to either write it verbatim or present this differently.

4. Partnerships: Government and Industry
The NCS provides a collaborative forum for the exchange of ideas among Federal stakeholders and private corporations concerning emergency communications disaster response.
24 Federal Members
54 Industry Members
Central Intelligence Agency
Department of Veteran Affairs
Department of Agriculture
Federal Communications Commission
Department of Commerce
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Department of Defense
Federal Reserve Board
Department of Energy
General Services Administration
Department of Health & Human Services
Joint Staff
Department of Homeland Security
National Aeronautics &Space Administration
Department of Interior
National Security Agency
Department of Justice
National Telecommunications &Information Administration
Department of State
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Department of the Treasury
Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Department of Transportation
United States Postal Service
AT&T
Global Crossing
Qwest Gov’t Solutions
Alcatel-Lucent
Globalstar
Raytheon
Americom
HP Enterprise Svc
SAIC
APCO
Hughes Network System
SAVVIS
Arrowhead
Inmarsat
SES World Skies
Artel
INTELSAT
SIA
Boeing
Internap
Sprint
CenturyLink
Intrado
TelePacific Comms.
Cincinnati Bell
Juniper Network
Time Warner Cable
CISCO
Level 3 Comms.
T-Mobile
Comcast
LightSquared
TW Telecom
Comptel
Lockheed Martin
Tyco Comms.
COX
Motorola
USA Mobility
CSC
Nat’l Assn. Broadcasters
USTA
CTIA
Nortel Networks
Verisign
Eutelsat America
Northrop Grumman
Verizon
Fair Point Comms.
OPASTCO
Verizon Business
Frontier
Qualcomm
Verizon Wireless

5. NCS Priority Programs *272
Because the public communications network is often degraded or inoperable in times of crisis, the NCS has developed programs to ensure continuity of NS/EP communications
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) -- provides individual priority access to the public wireline network
Wireless Priority Service (WPS) -- provides individual priority access to the public wireless network
Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) -- establishes priority for the restoration and provisioning of critical NS/EP circuits
Shared Resources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES) - provides a single, interagency message handling system with no reliance on the public network
*272
Government and Industry Forums:
COP: 23 D/A that evaluate current and future NS/EP programs
NSTAC: executives of 30 major communications and network services corporations that provide advice to the President on NS/EP communication policy
Critical programs: GETS, WPS, TSP, SHARES
Analytical capabilities:
Network Design and Analysis Capability (NDAC), models the public switched network, identifies network vulnerabilities, test bed for emerging technologies, and performs scenario analysis for specific threats
Analysis Response Team (ART) provides tailored analytical products to support decision making in advance of and during incidents of national significance
Plans:
NCS is the Sector Specific Agency for Communications (develops and implements the Sector Specific Plan)
Future Technology: The Next Generation Networks is leading to a multitude of new communications services. As networks converge and evolve, they must continue to support NS/EP priority programs. NCS will leverage new technology to deliver innovative NS/EP communication services (e.g. priority Internet)

6. ESF #2—COMMUNICATIONS

7. National Response Framework
The National Response Framework (NRF) establishes a coordinated, comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident response
Presents guiding coordinating principles that enable Federal response partners to prepare for, respond to, and recover from Presidential declared disasters and emergencies - from the smallest to the largest
Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2, Communications - NCS and FEMA are Primary Agencies

8. NCS ESF #2– Mission
Support restoration of the communications infrastructure:
Facilitates the recovery of systems and applications from cyber attacks
Coordinates Federal communications support to response efforts during incidents requiring a coordinated Federal response Support Federal agencies in procuring and coordinating National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) communications
Provides communications support to Federal, State, tribal, and local governments and first responders when their systems have been impacted
Provides communications and information technology (IT) support to the Joint Field Office (JFO) and JFO field teams

9. OPERATIONAL TEAMS

10. Unclassified/For Official Use Only
ESF #2 National Team
Responsible for coordinating ESF#2 response/recovery operations:
Coordinate with Government and Industry to assess anticipated/actual damage
Coordinates developing ESF#2 response/recovery operations
Coordinate with Federal Departments and Agency members to identify and prioritize national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) service requirements
Conduct operational analysis of the telecommunications infrastructure in the impacted area
Coordinate priority telecommunication service programs
Unclassified/For Official Use Only

11. NCC Watch
Mission: To assist in the initiation, coordination, restoration, and reconstitution of the NS/EP telecommunications services or facilities under all conditions, crises, or emergencies
Senior communications/IT analysts 24x7
Provides technical, analytic, and liaison support to industry and government
Operational arm of both the NCS and the Communications Information Sharing Analysis Center (ISAC)
Member of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) for combined cyber and comms Watch
Situational Awareness, Alert and Warning functions
Coordinates government and private sector relationships and tools that provide situation assessment, awareness, response and recovery capabilities
Coordinates with other Federal entities for cyber issues

12. Communications Analysis Response Team (ART)
The ART provides coordinated, real-time analytic response.
During all stages, from preparedness through response and recovery
Representatives come from NCC’s Operations Analysis team, the NCC Watch, the NCS Technology and Programs Branch, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Has access to critical network information from the Federal government and private sector, for consistent analysis in an ever-changing threat environment

13. ESF#2 Regional Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC) Branch
Responsible for:
Coordinating State requests for Government (all levels) and commercial industry communications assets
Advising the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) on ESF #2 regional and incident area NS/EP communications requirements, restoration activities, and priorities
Providing tactical communications support to disaster response and public safety operations
Assisting industry partners with restoration of communications infrastructure, particularly in the areas of access, security and fuel
Unclassified/For Official Use Only

15. Communications Industry: Emergency Preparations, Response, Recovery
Kathryn Condello
Vice-Chair, Communications ISAC
Qwest Communications Representative to the NCC

16. Preparations Before Hurricane Huey
Identifying and staging resources
Identification of staging locations
Portable Generators
COWs/COLTS, SatCOLTs
Fuel vendors contacted
Generators pre-fueled
Equipment and spares
Deployment of additional capacity and backup power to high priority sites
Major thoroughfares/evacuation routes
Public Safety location
High priority locations
ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
The event has been tracked and we have the benefit of foreknowledge to plan and take action to prepare for landfall.
Resources – staff, fuel, equipment – are engaged to prepare. Generators and trucks are topped off with fuel. Go Kits are checked.
GOVERNMENT CAN HELP
ACCESS REQUIREMENT
What information do we need to prepare work letters, ID required, etc.
Prepared in advance can save valuable time for restoration.

17. ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
Situation Overview
Hurricane Huey makes landfall - Virginia, DC, and Maryland
Extensive impact to telecommunications
Wireline
Cable
Cellular
Power
Central office
Cable route
Cell tower
Flooding
ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
Initial damage sustained –
Physical damage to facilities and structures
Circuit outages
Power outages
Impact will grow over the first few days then begin to subside as restoration of power and infrastructure proceed.
Flooding of low lying areas will impact service and restoration efforts.

18. ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
As the Sky Clears….
Converge assets into primary staging area
Power outages critical factor
Debris cleanup, tree removal, off for safety
Evaluate resource needs
Access
Coordinate with government - restricted areas
Curfews
Fuel
Security
ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
Power outages potentially grow due to accidental damage during debris removal, tree removal, fuel supply running out, and potentially for safety reasons where there are gas leaks or lines on the ground.
Restoration crews will gather in centralized areas to stage assets, supplies, and staff. Government can help with Access to the site by authorized staff, access for getting Fuel to the site, assistance with getting to and from repair sites during curfews maximizing available time for repairs.

19. ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
Hours Post Landfall
Data and voice traffic congestion
Wireline
Traffic controlled into affected areas
GETS – Government Emergency Telecomm Service
Wireless
Structural, power, backhaul
WPS – Wireless Priority Service
Satellite
Pre-existing contracts
Available capacity – media
Cable
Facility, last mile damage
TSP – Telecommunications Service Priority
ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
Network traffic may be impacted by outages and increased volume, requiring management techniques to be utilized for traffic into affected areas.
Utilizing priority processes/products – GETS and WPS – are available and should be utilized.
Satellite traffic with pre-existing contracts should be unaffected, unless physical damage to ground assets is encountered.
Incremental satellite use typically is consumed quickly by the media.
Cable – TSP – Cable, Wireline and wireless – priority services – preferential treatment to add new lines or have lines restored.

20. 48 - 72 Hours Post Landfall (cont.)
Situation Status
Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS)
States – EOC and JFO
Prioritization
Access control plans
Include contractors
Fuel supply coordination considering communications
as CIKR
Secure environment for repair crew
ACCESS - FUEL - SECURITY
Information on availability and restoration will flow through existing processes – e.g. DIRS.
States utilize the Emergency Operations Center and Joint Field Office for information and coordination
Access for restoration crew very important
Credential acceptance by access control bodies
Not just badged employees, also authorized 3rd parties
Consistency
Curfews
Fuel trucks granted priority access.
Long term- if fuel supplies become constrained communications need consideration as a CIKR.
Secure environment for repair personnel so they can complete work.

21. Thank You For Your Time

22. Federal Communications Commission
Government-Industry Partnerships in Communications Response and Recovery after Disasters

23. Government-Industry Partnerships
Partnership with the NCS and FEMA for:
ESF #2 Support
Situation Reporting
Spectrum Management
Training and Exercises
Partnership with Industry/State, Tribal, and Local officials for:
Waivers/Special Temporary Authority
Status Reporting (Disaster Information Reporting System)
Partnership with Industry/Private Sector for:
Logistical Coordination

24. Government-Industry Partnerships
Clearinghouse website (for best practices, lessons learned, and plans) at
Guidelines website for Emergency Planning at
Richard D. Lee
Associate Bureau Chief for National and Homeland Security
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
(office)
(cell)

25. Disaster Emergency Communications Division
Mobile Emergency Response Support
IAEM
November, 2011
FEMA

26. MERS Mission
Deploy, install, operate, maintain, and protect telecommunications, logistics, and operations assets in support of planned special events and in response to all-hazards disasters assisting the federal, state, tribal, and local response personnel to minimize the suffering and disruption of the American people. 2 2

27. MERS Operating Locations
MAYNARD
MERS
DENVER
MERS
BOTHELL
MERS FREDERICK
Mobile Emergency Response Support
Response capability consisting of a flexible mix of vehicles and resources designed to meet all hazards and national security emergency requirements - telecommunications, operations, logistics, life support and power generation.
MERS
THOMASVILLE
MERS
DENTON

28. Concept of Operations
Incident Response Teams are alerted and deployed by DHS/FEMA leadership for natural and man-made Incidents, planned events, and Incidents of National Significance;
Teams deploy with small, medium, and/or heavy voice, video, and data communications packages;
Teams collect, report, and provide situational awareness to the NRCC in response to priority information requirements;
Teams support Federal and State communications requirements and enable First Responders and/or Incident Commanders.

29. Team Communications Packages Frequency of Occurrence
Scope of NCCC
“Small Package”
“Medium Package”
“Large Package”
Incident Management
Communications Teams
Multiple MERS Dets in
Coordinated Response
Incident Management
Team Members
Incident Management
Communications Team
Members
(Telecommunications
Support Personnel)
Catastrophic
Loss of Life/
Property Damage
Multiple Loss
Of Life/
Significant
Property
Small/
Damage
Non secure voice
Secure voice
Non secure data
Secure data
Video
Command Vehicle:
Excursion
Level of Devastation
Incident Response
Vehicle: 5
Portable Ku Band
Tactical cellular
Gateway devices
Crossband devices
Air-to-ground
Portable LMR
Repeaters
Iridium
INMARSAT
MSV G2
BGAN
Cell Phone
QSEC 2700
Laptop
BGAN
Aircraft:
C-17, C-5A, C-130
Daily Use
Low Intensity Event
Catastrophic Event
Frequency of Occurrence

30. Technologies Means and Modes Land Mobile Radio (LMR) WIFI
Very High Frequency (VHF)
Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
700/800 MHz
High Frequency (HF)
Satellite Systems
WIFI
WIMAX
Meshed Gateways
Router/Switches
Cross band devices
Microwave Systems
LTE (Future)

31. Wide Area Interoperability
Initial Deployment
Local First Responders Interface (Police, Fire, EMS)
National Guard (State)
National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)
U.S. Coast Guard (Search and Rescue)
National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
Incident Management Assistants Teams (IMAT)
ESF Partners
Other Specialized Teams
5-Channel Trunk
Network
UHF
Crossband Device
Interfaces
Analog
Digital
Trunked
VHF

32. Readiness Exercises Focus on Interoperability and Systems Access
PARTICIPANTS
Local Fire, Police and EMS
NDMS and US&R Communications
MERS Detachments
Customs and Border Protection
National Guard
DHS Command Centers
Department of Defense

33. Conclusions
MERS is a highly capable organization with the skill and experience to rapidly provide disaster support services across the full spectrum of National planning scenarios;
It is flexible enough to integrate new technologies to satisfy customer diverse demand for command, control, and communications during catastrophic incidents;
DEC advancements in the areas discussed promise to strengthen tactical support to first responder capabilities across the nation;
Many of the challenges that the responders face do not lend themselves to technological solutions – they must be accompanied by broader changes in management, organization and policy.

34. For further information, please contact Charlie Hoffman Chief, Tactical Emergency Communications Branch Disaster Emergency Communications Division 500 C Street, SW Washington, DC (202) Fax (202)