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A big question right now for emergency management is how to prepare for a disaster in the middle of a pandemic. Guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relies in part on virtual response efforts. FirstNet provides public safety with the capabilities to power a virtual response to disaster.
FEMA goes virtual
FEMA issued guidance to help emergency managers prepare for disasters while continuing to respond to COVID-19. FEMA also has established its own virtual operations for disaster response while social distancing. Field offices and coordination centers are virtual. Inspections and damage assessments are done remotely. Recovery centers and survivor assistance efforts may use online and phone registration as well as conduct virtual assessments.
These virtual operations partly rely on wireless broadband connectivity. When disaster strikes, commercial networks can get congested. FirstNet always gives public safety prioritized connectivity with the ability to preempt commercial traffic. FirstNet has the coverage and capacity necessary to support virtual operations. When existing infrastructure is overloaded or destroyed, FirstNet deployables are available for public safety subscribers to boost or replace coverage.
Hurricane season brings new challenges
Hurricane season kicked off on June 1 and lasts through November and is always a demanding time for emergency managers in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic states. This year, the complexities of planning for a hurricane are compounded by the coronavirus. Shelters, transportation, volunteers, meals, repairs, and many other aspects of disaster preparedness are now impacted by the need for social distancing. The CDC issued guidance on health effects, sheltering, and communicating when a hurricane hits amid the COVID-19 outbreak. These new considerations require specialized planning efforts during a pandemic.
The health and safety of public safety workers responding to a hurricane is another paramount consideration. Emergency managers may be considering remote or virtual emergency operation centers to protect their workers from exposure to the virus. Under normal circumstances, FirstNet is an important resource for emergency operation centers. In pandemic conditions with virtual work, FirstNet becomes vitally important.
FirstNet gives users the ability to stream high-volume data to maintain situational awareness and a common operating picture, which is especially important in a virtual environment. FirstNet also has the capability to track vehicles, equipment, personnel, and evacuees with greater speed and accuracy to ensure emergency managers have the most up-to-date information. FirstNet offers broadband capabilities and bandwidth for all emergency support function personnel representing each agency or discipline assigned to the emergency operations center.
Your experience
At the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), we work hand-in-hand with public safety to make sure your voice and needs are represented in the FirstNet network buildout and evolution. Our staff includes emergency management professionals who are passionate about working on specific issues affecting the profession. The FirstNet Authority’s emergency management community is focused on supporting you. Every week my colleagues and I speak with state and local emergency management professionals to understand how we can more effectively advocate for you.
Advocating for emergency management is our job, and we’d love to hear your feedback. What are your top critical communications priorities during the pandemic? What keeps you up at night when trying to plan for this scenario? How can we better serve the emergency management profession and advocate for your wireless broadband connectivity needs?Send me an email to share your experiences and ideas.
My FirstNet Authority colleagues and I are participating in virtual public safety conferences, and I hope you’ll check out our presentations and sessions.
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