CISA Declares April as Emergency Communications Month

April is Emergency Communications Month! Throughout the month, we’ll be recognizing the important work of both CISA and the emergency response community. The 911 operating system only begins to scratch the surface of emergency communications. This is a broad, complex, and strategically critical field that includes everything from radio communications systems, broadband and narrowband data systems, to alerts and warning systems, and so much more. It’s only because of this communications backbone that our emergency response community can be operational, collaborative, secure and resilient at the most critical moments.

Emergency communications is a foundational mission for CISA. Our National Emergency Communications Plan focuses on three priorities:

1. Enhancing effective governance among partners with a stake in emergency communications, embracing a shared responsibility of the whole community from traditional emergency responders and supporting entities to the citizens served.
2. Addressing interoperability challenges posed by rapid technology advancements and increased information sharing, ensuring the most critical information gets to the right people at the right time.
3. Building resilient and secure emergency communications systems to reduce cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.

Through our emergency communications mission, CISA conducts extensive, nationwide outreach to support and promote the ability of emergency response providers and government officials to be able to communicate in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist act, or other hazard. We also provide guidance on how facilities can establish protocols for identifying and reporting significant cyber incidents to appropriate facility personnel, local law enforcement, and the agency.

This year for Emergency Communications Month, CISA will focus on helping people understand what emergency communications is, the important role that it plays in our everyday lives, and resources available help our communities increase security and resilience of our emergency communications networks.

CISA Emergency Communications Resources

CISA provides plans, resources, and training, at no cost, to support operable and interoperable emergency communications. Below are some additional resources that CISA offers on the topic of emergency communications.

• Public Safety Communications and Cyber Resiliency Toolkit
• National Emergency Communications Plan
• SAFECOM Resources
• Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program
• Priority Telecommunications Services

Original source can be found here.