Perhaps they need a basic course in how to communicate. The Department of Homeland Security National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP), published in 2008, is not known to many public safety communication professionals around the country, according to a study by CDW Government based in Herndon, Virginia.
The NECP recommends a multi-faceted approach to strengthening emergency communications capabilities nationwide, focusing on technology, coordination, governance, planning, and training at all levels of government. Only half of public safety communications professionals were familiar with the NECP before CDW-G’s survey, though, once they were told about the plan, 93 percent said the NECP has the potential to address their communications issues.
In another finding from the survey, 61 percent said the ability to achieve and sustain seamless communications across jurisdictions and agencies is their No. 1 challenge in providing timely and effective emergency services. Another 28 percent said they experienced a communications challenge in the last year that hampered a response effort.
The NECP sets the following goals:
- By 2010, 90 percent of all high-risk urban areas designated within the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies
- By 2011, 75 percent of non-UASI jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies
- By 2013, 75 percent of all jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours, in the event of a significant incident as outlined in national planning scenarios
Despite low initial awareness of the NECP, public-safety communications professionals indicated that the goals are achievable.
To review or download a copy of the full report, please see:
www.cdwg.com/emergency
Source: MMRMA.org
