Emergency Communications

John Morris and Michael Jones of the Wireless RERC published a guide and checklist entitled Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities in the February issue of “Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.” The article provides guidelines for individuals with disabilities to follow when developing emergency plans in preparation for emergency situations and includes a checklist of items to include in emergency kits, such as a Ready Kit and a Go Bag.

February 12, 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is to extend the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) for a fourth two-year term and is seeking nominations for membership to be submitted by March 20, 2013. The CSRIC is seeking representatives from government agencies, communications service providers, mobile technology developers, and organizations representing people with disabilities.

The Wireless RERC submitted reply comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission's Further Notice of Purposed Rulemaking: Facilitating the Deployment of Text-to-911 and Other Next Generation 911 Applications [PS Docket No. 11-153] and Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment [PS Docket No. 10-255]. The Wireless RERC agreed with assertions that the regulations on the availability of text-to-911 and bounce back error messages should apply to all mobile service providers.

January 14, 2013 – The FCC invited comments on the fourth annual report to Congress entitled: On State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges. The report was prepared by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and presents findings on the “collection and distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 (E911) fees and charges” between January 1-December 31, 2011.

January 11, 2013 — The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission has extended the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) charter by six months until June 14, 2013.