Agenda - 10-14-2014 - 5 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5' T ND SE�'JI CHITi5n, a91 Wireless Priority Service May 2013 Congestion on wireless (cellular) networks caused by natural and /or man -made disasters can affect emergency response capabilities by limiting call completion for public safety and national security and emergency preparedness (NS /EP) personnel. The Wireless Priority Service (WPS) , offered by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) , was developed to address the growing need for priority communications on the cellular networks. WPS enhances call completion when abnormal call volumes exist. OEC assigns WPS access on a case -by -case basis to Federal, State, local, tribal, and select private sector users supporting NS /EP activities. During times of network congestion, WPS users are granted priority communications by dialing *272 prior to the desired destination number from an authorized user's cell phone. WPS calls receive priority over public calls; however, WPS calls do not stop calls in progress or deny the general public's use of the cellular network. WPS complies with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Second Report and Order requirements and operates at a constant state of readiness. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WPS? Enrollment in the WPS program is restricted to select users who support NS /EP activities, traditionally those with command and control functions that are critical to management of and response to national security and emergency situations, particularly during the first 24 to 72 hours following an event. WPS supports critical continuity of government and continuity of operations; Federal, State, local, territorial, and tribal emergency preparedness and response communications; non - military executive branch communications; critical infrastructure protection networks; and non - military communications networks. WHY SHOULD YOU ENROLL? WPS users rely on cellular communications to perform critical functions, including those areas related to leadership, safety, maintenance of law and order, finance, and public health. Acts of terrorism, including cyber attacks, natural disasters, power outages, and software problems can cripple the telephone services of an entire region. Congestion alone can prevent access to circuits. WPS can be extremely beneficial during an emergency in which the public 1 k d ddb d WPS was used to maintain cellular connectivity for response and recovery efforts during the 8.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck American Samoa in September 2009. to ecommumcations networ s are egra e y congestion or amage to the infrastructure. NS /EP personnel enrolled in WPS have a greater chance of call completion than those without the service. The cellular network must be operational in order for WPS to provide priority access.