<ENTER JURISDICTION NAME> EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

ANNEX B—THE COMMUNICATION FUNCTION

I.Introduction

  1. Communication functions at the county, state and federal level are addressed in Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 – Communication. The Communication Function at the local level addresses the following areas of concern during emergencies:
  • Damage assessment of communication infrastructure.
  • Communication repair activities.
  • Technical assistance.
  • Modes of communication.
  • Liaison with communication/telecommunication agencies.
  • Support of local communication activities.

II.Situation

  1. Disasters affect the ability to communicate by damaging and overloading systems and equipment, overwhelming staff, and creating conditions that prevent the expedient repair of existing communications systems or transport of new equipment into the affected area. Communications in NAME OFJURISDICTION are vital in order to protect life and property and restore the affected area to pre-disaster conditions.
B.Land-line/Non-wireless Capabilities
  1. Telephonic capabilities for the <NAME OF JURISDICTION> include LIST TELEPHONIC CAPABILITIES SUCH AS trunk lines, digital and analog phones, digital cellular phones, and fax machines.
C.Wireless Capabilities
  1. Wireless or radio capabilities for the <NAME OF JURISDICTION> include LIST WIRELESS CAPABILITIES SUCH AS TWO_WAY RADIO SYSTEMS>.
D.Data
  1. Facility data communications include <LIST DATA LINKSsuch as Network servers, routers, T1 lines, etc..
  1. Internal data service is provided through servers that provide for the routing and distribution of information for day-to-day and emergency activities. This includes the capability for local agencies to access their servers from the <NAME OF JURISDICTIONEOC during emergencies.
  1. Other types of <NAME OFJURISDICTION> communications capabilities include pagers, public address system, e-mail, voice mail, information collection and distribution procedures and warning dissemination MODIFY LIST TO INCLUDE OR EXCLUDE OTHER TYPES OF COMMUINCATION CAPABILITIES YOUR JURISDICTION USES.
  1. Assumptions
  1. During a disaster,communications capabilities will be non-existent or strained at best.
  1. Outside agencies will assist NAME OF JURISDICTIONin accomplishing as much restoration and reconstruction of telecommunications facilities as conditions permit.
  1. The Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (EMHSA) or the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Regional Operations Center (ROC), if activated, is available for assistance and support during emergencies. Communicationneeds can be met by contacting the Hamilton County EMHSA or the ROC.
III.Concept of Operations
A.Overview
  1. The Communication Function will be assigned a representative. Representatives may be called upon from one of the following disciplines:
  1. Dispatch
  2. Information Technology
  3. Data Processing
  4. Fire
  5. Local Law Enforcement
  1. This representative will staff/support the NAME OF JURISDICTION> EOC and coordinate with appropriate support organizations to answer the needs of the affected community. These needs may include the following:
  1. Damage assessment of communication infrastructure.
  2. Ensure communication repair activities to NAME OFJURISDICTIONEOC.
  3. Technical assistance.
  4. Interfacing with communications providers, neighboring dispatch centers/PSAPs.
  1. Within an ICS system these responsibilities may fall to the Communications Officer.
  1. Organization and Assignmentof Responsibility
  1. Organization
  1. All Communication Function organizations are responsible for the development of internal SOP/SOGs that support the Communication Function and EOC operations.
  1. Communication organizations will be alerted and activated by the Communication Function representative for assessment, response, and recovery operations based on the needs of the emergency. These resources may include but are not limited to:
  1. <NAME OF JURISDICTION ORGANIZATION THAT MANAGES AND MAINTAINS EOC COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES>
  2. Hamilton County Communications Center
  3. LIST ANY OTHER SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
  1. Assignment of Responsibility
  1. The Communication Function Representative will:
  1. Provide support to Incident Command and/or other EOC Functions.
  1. Coordinate with support agencies including those listed below to maintain an accurate overview of communication activities.
  1. Coordinate with the County Emergency Support Function #2, if activated.
  1. NAME OF JURISDICTION ORGANIZATION will:
  1. Manage and maintain communications capabilities within the <NAME OF JURISDICTION > EOC.
  1. Provide briefings in the <NAME OF JURISDICTION> EOC for Communications operations.
  1. Coordinate requests for mobile communications as needed during emergencies.
  1. Assess communications infrastructure following a disaster.
  1. Prioritize assistance based on assessments.
  1. Act as a liaison with local communications/telecommunications companies.
  1. Request activation of the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) and/or the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as needed for emergency notification.
  1. Provide technical assistance.
  1. Establish and maintain communications capability with the ROC, as needed.
  1. Establish and maintain the automated computer system needed for <NAME OFJURISDICTION> EOC operations.
  1. Establish and maintain data communication links for computers in the <NAME OF JURISDICTION> EOC, as needed.
  1. Provide ongoing maintenance and restoration of <NAME OF JURISDICTION > owned systems.
  1. Deploy and install transportable communications systems to include radio base stations, satellite links and portable communications equipment.
  1. Provide 24-hour staffing of and/or support to the <NAME OFJURISDICTION> EOC during emergencies.
  1. Maintain data communications to law enforcement and fire agencies.
  1. Assist Mobile Command Center operations.
  1. Provide technical support for system restorations.
  1. Request radio operators, as needed, to support the <NAME OFJURISDICTION> EOC operation during emergencies.
  1. NAME OF JURISDICTION> Public Works Department will:
  1. Provide technical assistance for the restoration of communications systems.
  1. NAME OF JURISDICTION > Public Information Officer will:
  1. Obtain remote video images or remote TV broadcasts as needed from the disaster.
  1. NAME OF JURISDICTION > Purchasing Department will:
  1. Obtain contract communications resources as needed.
  1. Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency /the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Regional Operations Center (ROC) will:
  1. Assist in the coordination of communications capabilities to fill unmet communication requirements.
  1. Coordinate with the Ohio EMA/ the State EOC for support, as needed.
  1. Activate the IPAWS and/or the EAS as needed for emergency notification.
V. Resource Requirements for the Communication Function
  1. Communication Function organizations will maintain organizational SOPs, SOGs, MOUs, and Resource Listings that document equipment, supplies and services available to them during emergencies. Additional support needs during an emergency may be requested through the <NAME OF JURISDICTION> EOC to the Resource Support Function.

Annex B – The Communication FunctionB-1<Month Year>

to the <Enter Jurisdiction Name> EOP