For this learning module, please study the following materials. You will need to
For this learning module, please study the following materials. You will need to understand the concepts presented here to complete the assignments.
Read:
Emergency Notification Methods: What Are The Risks?Links to an external site. – This article discusses some of the pros and cons of emergency notification systems, although the implications apply to Emergency Management Communications as a whole. This particular website has a lot of relevant information to our Course, so you might consider adding a bookmark to your browser for the remainder of the semester.
Alternate Communications During Times of Disaster Links to an external site.- Good article on alternate methods of communicating during disasters. Redundancy, although at times costly, is essential to preparedness. How do you call 911 when the cell towers are down and you’ve long ago given up on land-lines? How do you communicate Evacuation Instructions to the general public when radio and TV signals are disrupted? Consider it from both the personal and professional standpoint.
National Incident Management SystemActions – (pages 50-59 ONLY) This section provides strategic guidance for the use of communications, as opposed to the tactical elements presented at the below links.
FCC Consumer Facts on Emergency CommunicationsActions – Some general tips, and then some of the key communications methods referenced in the article:Wireless 911 ServiceActions
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)Actions
Emergency Alerting SystemActions
Wireless Emergency AlertsActions
FEMA’s website on Disaster Emergency CommunicationsLinks to an external site. – Check out the links for Mobile Emergency Response Support and Mobile Communications Office Vehicles (both are deployable assets that can support a jurisdiction during catastrophic incidents or provide redundancy in the event a communities main method of communication is taken out)
Project Loon partners with AT&T in Puerto RicoLinks to an external site. – An interesting innovation used during recent disaster response and recovery efforts, from CNN Money
AT&T FirstNetLinks to an external site.- provides a “nationwide network that provides interoperable communications for the public safety community, enabling information sharing across disciplines and jurisdictions, and improved situational awareness.” Nose around the website to learn more.Innovation Changes ArticleLinks to an external site. – Article 1 of 2 that shares about the origin of FirstNet and the nature of the problem at its most fundamental
Challenges in Communications ArticleLinks to an external site. – Article 2 of 2
Verizon FrontlineLinks to an external site.- Verizon’s response to AT&T’s FirstNet. Browse through the website and consider how it is similar and different to FirstNet; comparisons are also a Google Search away. Also think through the pros/cons of having two competing systems.
Explore Further (Optional):
National Emergency Communications Plan – Being a Federal document, it (like NIMS) is more strategic than tactical and provides some high-level guidance for State, Tribal, and Local governments to consider when planning for emergency communications. If you are ever in a position where you will be responsible for a communications plan, using this as a framework would be a great place to start.
How Mobile Devices are Transforming Disaster Relief and Public Safety – As we saw in last week’s material, communications plans today must include more than just communications between public safety personnel. With the advent and prolific use of mobile technology by the general public it makes us all key partners in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Communications Failures on 9/11Links to an external site.- I’ve had a number of requests over the years of instructing this course for examples of failures in communications; this is the first (and most well-documented) that came to my mind.
ASSIGNMENTT!!!!
Your assignment is to develop an Emergency Communications Plan for your selected jurisdiction. Using the material from both Modules 4 and 5, consider how your jurisdiction might establish a plan of operations during an incident, including redundancy should your primary method fail. The plan should be 3-4 pages total, and will provide a brief synopsis of your communication strategy in the following areas (at a minimum):
Intra-agency Communications (Communications within your own agency, including field personnel)
Inter-agency Communications (Communications with outside agencies that would be assisting/support you)
Communications with the General Public (everything from early warnings and evacuation notices to recovery support)
Each of these three sections should follow this format:
Concept (a short summary/overview of the Section and why it’s important)
Communications Strategy (what do you wish to accomplish through this portion of the plan?)
Direction/Command/Control (who has the authority to make decisions within this area? Who are the key players and what are their roles?)
Execution (what will your execution plan for this area look like? What resources will you need, and what methods/equipment will you use? Keep in mind that your list of equipment should be a blend of both “high-tech” (i.e. radios) and “low-tech” (i.e. email))
For an example of some of the above areas, take a look at the City of Albuquerque’s Communications, Warning and Emergency Alert Plan.
Actions
This plan is obviously much more comprehensive than what I expect from your submissions, so please use it only as a resource to stimulate ideas, etc. Please also keep the size of your jurisdiction in mind when planning these items. For example, you probably wouldn’t need multiple mobile communications vehicles with satellite capabilities for a jurisdiction of 6,000. Cost and personnel should not necessarily be limiting factors, but try to keep it within the realm of reason.
NOTE – Although Citations and References would be uncommon to find in a Communications Plan (especially in government), we are still in an academic setting. For the purposes of this assignment, please cite all references in APA format, including a References page and in-text citations. A formatted cover page and running headers are not required.
PAF 555 Written Assignments Rubric (3)
PAF 555 Written Assignments Rubric (3)
CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent
60 ptsA
All assignment prompts are addressed with exceptional detail.
50 ptsB
All assignment prompts are addressed, but detail provided is not sufficient to address required topics.
40 ptsC
Most assignment prompts are addressed, but not all. Detail provided is not sufficient to address required topics.
30 ptsD
Most assignment prompts were not addressed.
60 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCitations
10 ptsA
All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format.
8 ptsB
All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.
6 ptsC
Sources are inconsistently documented, and there is no evidence that they were attempted to be formatted in accordance with APA guidance.
0 ptsD
Sources are not accurately documented, and no attempt was made at properly citing outside resources.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar
10 ptsA
No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.
8 ptsB
A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.
6 ptsC
A significant number of grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.
3 ptsD
Many major grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors that made reading the paper difficult.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTimeliness
10 ptsA
Assignment was submitted on or before the posted deadline.
0 ptsD
Assignment was submitted after the posted deadline.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
10 ptsA
Assignment followed a logical progression and flowed well for the reader; paper was clearly organized using headers or appropriate paragraph breaks.
8 ptsB
Assignment followed some logical progression and flowed reasonably well for the reader; paper was somewhat clearly organized using headers or appropriate paragraph breaks.
6 ptsC
Assignment followed some logical progression and didn’t flow well for the reader; paper wasn’t clearly organized using headers or appropriate paragraph breaks.
3 ptsD
Assignment did not follow a logical progression and did not flow well for the reader;paper was not clearly organized using headers or appropriate paragraph breaks.
10 pts
Total Points: 100
I attached 3 files for extra information. Should be focusing in city of tempe!