Telecommunications and Warning

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 2 Telecommunications and Warning

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Purpose

To provide guidance for emergency radio, electronic communications and the dissemination of warning information.

B. Scope

This ESF applies to the communications and warning assets of all county organizations including radio, 9-1-1, voice and data links, telephone and cellular systems, National Warning System (NAWAS), Emergency Alert System (EAS), Teleminder and amateur radio. No guarantee of a perfect system is implied by this plan. As assets and personnel may be overwhelmed the county will endeavor to make every reasonable effort to respond to an emergency or disaster based on the situation, and information and resources available at the time.

II. POLICIES

A. It is the policy of Pierce County to utilize normal communications systems as much as possible during a disaster. Some needs will be met by re- prioritizing day-to-day frequency use to special emergency use.

B . It is the policy of Pierce County to utilize 24-hour dispatch centers and other existing systems, such as telephone, county radio frequencies, law enforcement teletype, and amateur radio for the dissemination of information and warnings. The NAWAS, EAS, and Teleminder may also be used for warning and information.

III. SITUATION

A. Emergency/Disaster Conditions and Hazards

Refer to the Pierce County Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis.

B. Planning Assumptions

It is most likely that disruption and damage to the telecommunications infrastructure will occur in the event of a disaster. The type and degree of damage will determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the response and recovery efforts. Disaster situations will overpower whatever part of the infrastructure remains and emergency and disaster information dissemination will occur as soon as possible by whatever means are available at the earliest of time. The communications will improve as more systems come back on line.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. Telecommunications

1. In the event of an emergency or disaster during working hours, the Radio Communications Maintenance Division of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) staff is instructed to report to the Radio Communications shop. An assessment of the communications systems needs to be accomplished as soon as possible, and a status report relayed to the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

The chain of command for the Radio Communications Maintenance Division is as follows:

a. Communications Supervisor.

b. Communications Technicians.

Any of the chain of command, when acting on behalf of the supervisor, have the authority of the supervisor in matters of radio communications policy and operations.

2. In case of a major event occurs during non-working hours, the Radio Communications Maintenance Division staff is instructed to secure their family and home and report to the Radio Communications shop to begin the assessment of the communications systems. If they cannot get to the shop, then they should try to get to the EOC.

3. The telecommunications staff of the Information Services Department (ISD) will assess the status of the telephone system. A status report of the telephone and E-mail systems should be relayed to the Information Services Department (ISD) command post in the Conference Room, Suite 753, of the County-City Building for further relay to the EOC as soon as possible.

4. Coordination of mobile or transportable telecommunications equipment will be done by the EOC.

5. Amateur radio operations will be conducted by licensed radio operators.

6. Organizations which have their own communications systems, such as Pierce Transit, may assist in supporting the emergency communications needs of the EOC and general government.

B. Warning

1. Emergency and disaster information and warning for dissemination will be determined by the EOC. The method of dissemination is dependent upon the damages to the telecommunications infrastructure. The information and warning may be localized or widespread. For the most part, warning will be done for localized events by door to door contact with citizens. Other methods, such as loudspeakers or other attention getting devices, may also be used to get the public's attention. Tab 1 of this ESF describes the communications capability of the EOC.

2. The NAWAS is the primary system used by the Federal government to disseminate warnings to state and local government. Warnings may originate from a variety of Federal agencies and are received at the Washington Warning Point, a 24-hour operation managed by the state Emergency Management Division, which then disseminates the warning to local warning points.

3. The primary warning point for Tacoma-Pierce County is the Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA). When a warning is received for Pierce County, the information is relayed to the DEM duty officer. The DEM duty officer will make appropriate notifications and take appropriate actions with the information.

4. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio system may also be utilized to disseminate specific warning or emergency information. It is limited, however, to those who use NOAA weather radio. It may be activated by the DEM through the state Emergency Management Division duty officer.

5. The EAS is a national alerting system comprising local radio, cable and television broadcasters and program suppliers. It provides local government officials a mechanism to issue emergency warnings to the public through local broadcasters when emergency information may help save lives. The determination for EAS activation is made by the EOC or the DEM duty officer.

6. Teleminder is a telephonic alerting system delivering prerecorded messages of thirty second duration to potential victims. It has the capacity to make approximately 1,000 calls per hour and the calls can target specific affected areas. The determination for Teleminder alerts is made by the EOC or the DEM duty officer.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Joint Primary Agencies-Pierce County Departments

1. Emergency Management

a. lead agency for the development and maintenance of county warning procedures utilizing existing capabilities.

b. plan and coordinate emergency communications.

c. Radio Communications Maintenance Division

lead agency for the management and restoration of the radio communications for Pierce County departments.

2. Information Services

a. lead agency for the protection of the county electronic mail (E-mail) system. ISD staff is responsible for the E-mail system and will make an assessment of the status of the E-mail system as part of the overall ISD situation assessment process.

b. provide, on a regular basis, telecommunications equipment and software support for the EOC.

B. Support Agencies

1. Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA)

a. disseminate warning information to the member agencies and to field units.

b. provide staffing as backup for the EAS activation.

c. act as housing facility for the EAS and NAWAS.

3. Pierce County Departments

provide communication assistance and support.

4. Tacoma Fire Communications Center

a. act as the secondary warning point for Tacoma-Pierce County area for the NAWAS system.

b. act as housing facility for the Teleminder information system.

5. Lakewood Fire Comm

Disseminate warning information to the DEM, member departments and public safety answering points (PSAPs), primary and secondary.

6. Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)

PSAPs, primary and secondary, are encouraged to develop plans for the management of communications priorities during times of high usage, typically occurring in an emergency or disaster

7. Other Dispatch Centers

Organizations which have their own communications systems, such as Pierce Transit, may assist in supporting the emergency communications needs of the EOC and general government.

8. Pierce County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES)

Coordinate and provide amateur radio emergency communications in the EOC.

VI. REFERENCES

None

VII. DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

None

VIII. TABS

Tab 1 3/4 Pierce County EOC Communications Capability