Topic Collection Cover Page

Communication Systems
Topic Collection
October 2, 2024

Topic Collection: Communication Systems

Robust communication systems can allow first responders and medical professionals to maintain communication after a disaster. Back-up systems should be established based on best practices and tested regularly. The resources in this Topic Collection include promising practices, reports, evaluations, and overviews of programs focused on creating and maintain resilient emergency communication systems. Access the Information Sharing, Risk Communications / Emergency Public Information and Warning, and Social Media in Emergency Response Topic Collections for more information.

Each resource in this Topic Collection is placed into one or more of the following categories (click on the category name to be taken directly to that set of resources). Resources marked with an asterisk (*) appear in more than one category.

Must Reads


AuxComm USA. (2022). FOG/Tools.
This webpage provides links to tools, applications, and downloadable customizable forms which may be useful when traditional communications systems are down during disasters. Examples of tools and apps include the eAUXFOG mobile app, the eNIFOG app with interoperability guidance, EchoLink allowing amateur radio to communicate over the internet, and VarAC digital chat.
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Zello, the “push-to-talk walkie talkie app” is a free app that can leverage Wi-Fi and cellular data to facilitate emergency communication in more rural areas; allows communication with other agencies using the app; and provides dedicated channels, freeing up radio channels.
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Chang, E. (2024). Starlink and Emergency Services. Telecomworld101.com.
The author describes how the Starlink satellite constellation can assist emergency services in areas in which traditional areas might be disrupted during disasters and in remote areas which would otherwise not have access to the internet.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2024). Priority Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The information on this webpage can help users learn more about the priority telecommunications services CISA provides when communications are overwhelmed during a disaster: Wireless Priority Service (WPS), Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS), and Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP).
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Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2020). Emergency Communications Best Practices For Establishing Alternate Care Sites. (Added 12/10/2020.) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This document identifies best practices for establishing communications capabilities in Alternate Care Sites during a disaster.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2024). Integrated Public Alert & Warning System. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) pushes messages through mobile phones, radio, television, and weather radios. This webpage provides links to resources for public safety officials and others interested in using IPAWS to communicate warnings to the communities they serve.
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Applications and Technology


Ali, K., Nguyen, G., Vien, Q., et al. (2020). Deployment of Drone-Based Small Cells for Public Safety Communication System. (Abstract only.) IEEE Systems Journal. 14(2): 2882-2891.
The authors propose drone-based cellular connectivity in the event of a telecommunications outage due to a disaster or disaster operations in areas where infrastructure is absent. They outline an approach where multiple small drone cells are used to achieve a stable connection. Simulation analytics are used to outline coverage options.
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Technology can help prevent and address healthcare workplace violence; this article highlights information on surveillance and monitoring systems, communications tools, predictive analytics, benefits of prevention technology, and challenges healthcare organizations might experience when implementing new systems (e.g., privacy issues and cost).
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Ayawa, M.G., Jibrail, M.B., Iwalaiye, E., et al. (2024). Geographic Information System (GIS) for Disaster Management. International Journal of Built Environment and Earth Science. 3(4).
The authors discuss how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be implemented in disaster response to visualize layers of information in an area. Based on a review of the literature, they describe different GIS programs and explain how they can be used in planning and analysis, data management, situation awareness, and field operations.
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Bouri, N. and Ravi, S. (2014). Going Mobile: How Mobile Personal Health Records Can Improve Health Care During Emergencies. Journal of Medical Internet Research-mHealth. 2(1):e8.
This article describes personal health records (PHRs) and their utility in disaster situations. It contrasts the instant availability of PHRs against the electronic medical record/health records that require 3rd party (provider) routing.
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Zello, the “push-to-talk walkie talkie app” is a free app that can leverage Wi-Fi and cellular data to facilitate emergency communication in more rural areas; allows communication with other agencies using the app; and provides dedicated channels, freeing up radio channels.
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Carreras-Coch, A., Navarro, J., Sans, C., et al. (2022). Communication Technologies in Emergency Situations. Electronics. 11(7):1155.
The authors review challenges, existing surveys, and systematically review the literature on emergency communication technology. They also detail a communication architecture to facilitate communications between mobile emergency responders in harsh conditions.
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Chang, E. (2024). Starlink and Emergency Services. Telecomworld101.com.
The author describes how the Starlink satellite constellation can assist emergency services in areas in which traditional areas might be disrupted during disasters and in remote areas which would otherwise not have access to the internet.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). SafeCom: Technology. (Accessed 10/2/2024.)
This webpage provides an overview of communications and information sharing for emergency communications, including emergency alerts, interoperability, radio and broadband, cyber resiliency, and tools and frameworks for emerging technologies.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2024). Priority Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The information on this webpage can help users learn more about the priority telecommunications services CISA provides when communications are overwhelmed during a disaster: Wireless Priority Service (WPS), Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS), and Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP).
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Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Mobility Division, WTB. (Accessed 10/2/2024.)
This webpage provides background on the Mobility Division of the FCC, including links to the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS), a private, two-way communications service and the 40 available channels. It also links to Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), short-distance communications service and the five available channels, and the Family Radio Service (FRS), a two-way, short-distance voice and data service, which serves a similar function to walkie-talkies.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2024). Integrated Public Alert & Warning System. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) pushes messages through mobile phones, radio, television, and weather radios. This webpage provides links to resources for public safety officials and others interested in using IPAWS to communicate warnings to the communities they serve.
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Jiang, W., Jiang, Y., and Srivastava, G. (2023). Remote Early Warning System for Mountain Floods with Robust ZigBee Wireless Networks. (Abstract only.) Mobile Networks and Applications. 28:1913-1924.
The authors describe an experiment aimed at improving the early warning system for mountain floods using the ZigBee smartphone application. ZigBee combines data from rainfall sensors, water levels, and vibration sensors to create an algorithm that can be used by emergency managers to determine when and to whom to communicate flood risk, potentially reducing casualties.
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Kedia, T., Ratcliff, J., O’Connor, M., et al. (2020). Technologies Enabling Situational Awareness During Disaster Response: A Systematic Review. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 16(1): 341-359.
This literature review provided an understanding of how emerging technologies may be useful for maintaining situational awareness (SA) among the federal government and domestic and international agencies during disasters. The authors found that SA was constrained by technological capabilities (especially gaps in communications, inadequate bandwidth, and infrastructure damage) and recommend researching wide-scale use of technologies and implementing existing and adopting new tools to improve disaster SA.
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Lee, C., Kimball, M., Deussing, E., et al. (2023). Use of Information Technology Systems for Regional Health Care Information-Sharing and Coordination During Large-Scale Medical Surge Events. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 18(e1): 1-7.
After a brief description of information technology systems used by emergency management and healthcare, the authors discuss how information sharing improved during the COVID-19 pandemic. They explain how IT systems are used in emergency management and healthcare and how collaborative use identified initial challenges (e.g., with integration and real-time data) and overall helped to improve patient tracking, resource sharing, and operations during patient surges.
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The authors discuss the wireless transmission of vital health data in disaster situations and a fair way to prioritize patient data categorization and transmission when there is bandwidth congestion or connectivity issues.
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Plaza Roncero, A., Marques, G., Sainz-De-Abajo, B., et al. (2020). Mobile Health Apps for Medical Emergencies: Systematic Review. JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth. 8(12):e18513.
The authors reviewed the literature to evaluate mobile health applications and technologies used in medical emergencies. They found that 39% of the 28 papers included in the study were about warning systems for emergency services, while 21% “were associated with disaster management apps.” Various tables illustrate other findings, and the authors emphasize the promise of Mhealth (i.e., mobile health apps) in keeping residents and healthcare providers informed and safe.
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Profetto, L., Gherardelli, M., and Iadanza, E. (2022). Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Health Care: Where Are We? A Scoping Review. Health and Technology. 12(5):879-891.
The authors reviewed the literature to understand how radio frequency identification (RFID) has been used in healthcare to reduce errors, identify patients and staff, prevent and control infection, and remotely monitor vital signs. They conclude that while use of RFID is slowly gaining traction, it can be considered a potentially helpful healthcare tool.
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Reina, D., Askalani, M, Toral, S., Barrero, F., et al. (2015). A Survey on Multihop Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Response Scenarios. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. 2015: 1-16.
The authors reviewed a variety of ad hoc networks in disaster scenarios. They found these networks feasible and emphasized the importance of smartphone interoperability because of their wide use by the healthcare and other responder populations.
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Reuter, C., Lee Hughes, A., and Kaufhold, M. (2018). Social Media in Crisis Management: An Evaluation and Analysis of Crisis Informatics Research. International Journal of Human-Computer Interactions. 34:280-294.
The authors discuss the use of social media for emergencies and crisis events. They summarize the research types found in the field of crisis informatics and examine trends and challenges of human computer interaction in the field.
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The authors explore how big data analytics (BDA) and the Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to bolster communications and decision making among emergency responders and authorities during disasters. The authors develop a thematic taxonomy of different BDA and IoT tools to manage and analyze data for disaster management (Figure 3), propose a BDA and IoT-based disaster management reference model (Figure 4), and identify research gaps in the field which should be addressed in the future.
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Yucesoy, E., Balcik, B., and Coban, E. (2024). The Role of Drones in Disaster Response: A Literature Review of Operations Research Applications. International Transaction in Operational Research. 32(2):545-589.
Drones may be useful for disaster response, especially for information collection, delivery of relief supplies, and repair of communication networks. The authors summarize the existing literature for practitioners who want to use drones for humanitarian disaster response or decision making and note areas that would benefit from more research (e.g., system integration, technical factors, drone-specific characteristics).
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Education and Training


Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). Auxiliary Emergency Communications (AEC) Training Course, Unit 1: The Communications Unit and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). (Accessed 10/2/2024.) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This training course covers the communications unit within the Incident Communications System (ICS). It provides information on the role of the communications unit leader, the incident communications center manager, the incident communications technician, technical specialists, and other key roles. It details how the Emergency Operations Center is distinguished from the ICS.
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General Information


This article can help healthcare emergency planners learn more about using plain language alerts and the importance of multimodal notifications for staff during a disaster. With free registration, users can access mass communication templates for different types of disasters.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). Communications Unit. (Accessed 10/2/2024.) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This webpage links to resources supporting the Communications Unit, Auxiliary Emergency Communications for local jurisdictions, and templates and guides for emergency communications systems support.
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Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council. (Accessed 10/2/2024.)
The Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) provides recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission to ensure communications systems are reliable and interoperable, including 911 operations, Next Generation 911, emergency alerting, and emergency preparedness.
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Federal Communications Commission. (2024). Incident Management and Investigations.
This webpage provides information on the Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. The Bureau handles emergency preparedness and response, monitors radio frequencies to assess any impact to commercial and first responder communications and infrastructure, runs the Disaster Information Reporting System, and provides support for first responders, rapid response, and requests for assistance from government. The page also provides links to public notices, communications status reports and related information on recent response efforts (e.g., Hurricane Beryl and the New Mexico wildfires).
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Lindquist, M. (2024). Interoperability in Healthcare Explained. Oracle.
This article provides information on interoperability in health care communication systems, including background on the four levels of interoperability (foundational, structural, semantic, and organizational). It explains benefits and challenges of health care interoperability, compliance, and provides responses to frequently asked questions. Though vendor-based, it provides a good summary of issues that are of general value.
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Guidance/Guidelines


* Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2022). Field Operations Guides (FOGs). U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Field Operations Guides (FOGs) can facilitate emergency communications planning. The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) lists land mobile radio frequencies used during emergencies and can support radio technicians’ programming. It includes sections on interoperability channels, emergency wireless carriers, satellite services, information technology, and cybersecurity. The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) provides information on how the Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) personnel can support local emergency communications when requested by public safety partners. The guide can be used for training and reference at the local, county, region, or state levels.
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Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2020). Emergency Communications Best Practices For Establishing Alternate Care Sites. (Added 12/10/2020.) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This document identifies best practices for establishing communications capabilities in Alternate Care Sites during a disaster.
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Lessons Learned


European Union of General Practitioners. (2013). Report on Health Care Professional Communication Requirements.
This EU based research report discusses the needs and methods for communicating to health professionals in epidemic situations, based on challenges in reaching all these professionals during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.
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This report highlights proceedings from a conference that focused on topics such as disaster resilient communication, security challenges in disaster communications, and early warning systems.
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Kawamura, Y., Dewan, A., Veenendaal, B., et al. (2013). Using GIS to Develop a Mobile Communications Network for Disaster-Damaged Areas. International Journal of Digital Earth. 7(4):279-293.
Because communications infrastructure may be damaged in disasters, the authors explored how to rapidly set up a communication system using ZigBee (a wireless sensor network) and geographic information systems (GIS). They present the example of Tsukuba City, Japan after the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and how GIS data helped staff in the control center coordinate communication nodes with the evacuation center and others.
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Lokmic-Tomkins, Z., Bhandari, D., Bain, C., et al. (2023). Lessons Learned from Natural Disasters around Digital Health Technologies and Delivering Quality Healthcare. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20(5):4542.
In the context of climate change and increases in weather-related disasters, electronic health records (EHRs) are an important component of a resilient health care system when reaching underserved or remote areas. The authors cover lessons learned globally in EHR (e.g., use cloud-based systems to facilitate continuity of operations), telehealth and telemedicine, electronic prescribing and referrals, mobile health, artificial intelligence and machine learning in health care, the internet of things for health (e.g., monitoring devices) and robotics.
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Medford-Davis, L. and Kapur, B. (2014). Preparing for Effective Communications during Disasters: Lessons from a World Health Organization Quality Improvement Project. International Journal of Emergency Medicine. 7:15.
This article describes a World Health Organization Quality Improvement Study for disaster communications. Findings include the need for employee listservs, international media contacts, pre-written public service announcements in multiple languages on questions that frequently arise during disasters, and a central database that can house this information.
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Pruett K. (2023). Starlink Deployment During Emergency Response. National Association of State Chief Information Officers.
This document provides information on how Starlink satellite internet can be deployed during emergency response for the public and private sectors. It also includes a timeline of Starlink use in 2022 and information on future operations and benefits.
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Operational Policies/Procedures


Knowing what kinds of patient information can be released, to whom, and under what circumstances, is critical for healthcare facilities in disaster response. This guide is designed to answer frequently asked questions regarding the release of information about patients following an incident.
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* Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2016). Disaster Emergency Communications Division.
This webpage highlights the role of this federal division (to establish, maintain, and coordinate emergency communications services and information systems critical the coordination of the federal government’s response before, during, and after an incident or planned event). Information on the six Mobile Emergency Response Support detachments and numerous Mobile Communications Office Vehicles is also included.
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Minnesota Department of Health. (2023). MNTracOverview.
MNTrac (Minnesota system for Tracking Resources, Alerts and Communication) is a database-driven, password-protected web application designed to track bed capacity, but it also supports emergency incident planning, emergency communication, and emergency alert notifications in real time. It serves a variety of healthcare agencies, including hospitals, emergency medical services, public health, poison control, the state department of health, and skilled nursing facilities.
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). (2016). Emergency Communications Centers and the Role of Communications Technologies in Reducing Mortality Rates in the Rural U.S.
This document highlights strategies aimed at reducing mortality due to accidents on U.S. roadways specific to improving pre-hospital communications with hospitals. It includes a literature review, information on emergency medical services and emergency communications centers’ technology, as well as state-specific communications system information for Maryland, Alabama, and Mississippi.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). Bulletin: HIPAA Privacy in Emergency Situations.
This resource provides information on when healthcare organizations can share patient information with public health authorities or other entities during emergencies.
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Plans, Tools, and Templates


AuxComm USA. (2022). FOG/Tools.
This webpage provides links to tools, applications, and downloadable customizable forms which may be useful when traditional communications systems are down during disasters. Examples of tools and apps include the eAUXFOG mobile app, the eNIFOG app with interoperability guidance, EchoLink allowing amateur radio to communicate over the internet, and VarAC digital chat.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). SafeCom: Resources. (Accessed 10/2/2024.)
This webpage provides communications resources and templates healthcare communications staff can use when creating/updating plans, such as standard operating procedures, field operations guides, training and exercises. It also includes relevant links on topics such as encryption, interoperability, credentials and access management.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2019). National Emergency Communications Plan. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This 5-year strategy document outlines the federal direction for getting the latest interoperable communication technology to all disaster response entities across the nation.
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* Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2022). Field Operations Guides (FOGs). U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Field Operations Guides (FOGs) can facilitate emergency communications planning. The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) lists land mobile radio frequencies used during emergencies and can support radio technicians’ programming. It includes sections on interoperability channels, emergency wireless carriers, satellite services, information technology, and cybersecurity. The Auxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG) provides information on how the Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) personnel can support local emergency communications when requested by public safety partners. The guide can be used for training and reference at the local, county, region, or state levels.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency, Incident Management Systems Integration Division. (2023). Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms: A Capability Assurance Job Aid.
Emergency planners can use the information contained in this guide to become more familiar with the various acronyms and terms used in the emergency management field.
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Pressman, H. (n.d.). Free Tools for Communicating During Disasters and Emergencies. (Accessed 10/2/2024.) Central Coast Children's Foundation, Inc.
This resource list contains links to tools and apps for disaster communication with an emphasis on reaching people with communication challenges.
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SAFECOM and Disaster Management. (n.d.). Creating a Charter for a Multi-Agency Communications Interoperability Committee: Template and Questions to Consider. (Accessed 10/2/2024.) U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This template--geared towards a local, regional level--can help planners create a charter for an interoperability committee or governance group. It is laid out as a sample charter and includes suggested headings for each section as well as potential issues/questions that should be addressed when developing a committee.
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Redundant Communication Resources


ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Department. (2019). Amateur Radio Emergency Service: ARES Field Resources Manual.
This customizable document was designed to support amateur/ham radio users deployed in the field for emergency services work. It includes basic program information, forms, operating aids, and templates that can be tailored for the affected area.
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Cid, V., Mitz, A., Arnesen, S. (2017). Keeping Communications Flowing During Large-scale Disasters: Leveraging Amateur Radio Innovations for Disaster Medicine. (Abstract only.) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 12(2):257-264.
The authors describe a prototype communications system created by the National Library of Medicine for health care facilities when traditional communication systems are down. Based on amateur radio, the system can provide email services to users and reach communication networks outside of the disaster area. This solution draws on the characteristics of amateur radio, including that it is inexpensive, always available, and does not rely on telecommunications infrastructure.
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Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Emergency Planning for Satellite Carriers. (Accessed 10/2/2024.)
This webpage includes information for satellite carriers on preparation, continuity of operations, back up communications, and the importance of diversity of communication systems. It also provides information on the emergency response process and recovery.
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This article outlines why amateur radio is important to emergency communications systems and how it was used during Hurricane Maria. It provides information on which radio frequencies to use during emergencies, the license required, and includes a comprehensive list of organizations active at the intersection of amateur radio and disasters.
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Hospital Disaster Support Communications System. (2023). Hospital Disaster Support Communications System.
The Hospital Disaster Support Communications System (HDSCS) is a group of volunteer Amateur Radio ("ham") operators who are available to provide backup internal and external communications for critical medical facilities in Orange County, California when necessary. HDSCS has been operational for more than 35 years; their website includes links to relevant resources.
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The author emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness for amateur radio operators who support medical facilities.
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Agencies and Organizations


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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Emergency Communications.
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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). SAFECOM. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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* Federal Emergency Management Agency. Disaster Emergency Communications Division.
This webpage highlights the role of this federal division (to establish, maintain, and coordinate emergency communications services and information systems critical the coordination of the federal government’s response before, during, and after an incident or planned event). Information on the six Mobile Emergency Response Support detachments and numerous Mobile Communications Office Vehicles is also included.
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Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. RACES Resource Library.
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