Emergency Communications Planning

Overview

Given the rapidly evolving emergency communications environment, public safety organizations improve voice, video, and data interoperability and information exchange by planning for new investments, maintaining and modernizing legacy systems, and identifying the personnel and training needs that are necessary to meet new challenges . Effective strategic planning focuses on the strategic direction and alignment of all emergency communications-related technology (voice and data) within an organization or jurisdiction as well as the broader community of stakeholders. In addition, consideration of short- and long-term technology evolution enables an organization to determine system needs and requirements as part of the lifecycle planning process.

CISA’s Role  

CISA, through its Emergency Communications Division (ECD), supports the advancement of interoperable communications and the adoption of broadband technologies through the development and implementation of strategic planning and national policies, issuance of guidance, and development of technical assistance offerings. ECD is congressionally mandated to develop and update the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) – the nation’s strategic roadmap to strengthen and enhance emergency communications capabilities – in collaboration with the whole community. The concepts within the NECP are incorporated into various products for stakeholders such as grant guidance, criteria for Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans (SCIPs), and various policy recommendations for the use of land mobile radio (LMR), broadband and other emergency communications technologies by the public safety community. ECD also conducts a national capabilities assessment which informs the goals and objectives of the NECP as well as the other products releases.