Item 35 - FY 2022 Emergency Management Performance Grant

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HSGP Appendix | 2023 Page A-49 o Integrate communications needs into continuity planning efforts by incorporating mitigation options to ensure uninterrupted communications support; o Establish a cybersecurity plan that includes continuity of a communications component such as Radio Frequency (RF)-based communications that do not rely on public infrastructure; o Maintain communications capabilities to ensure their readiness when needed; o Frequently train and exercise personnel required to operate communications capabilities o Test and exercise communications capabilities; and o Consider Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) protective measures for communications systems where practical. DHS/FEMA Communications Support Services CISA and FEMA offer a variety of technical assistance and other support services to assist state and local entities in their efforts to comply with the above requirements, including the SAFECOM Guidance, with the goal of ensuring interoperable and resilient emergency communications. A summary of DHS/FEMA support services is provided below. Grant recipients are encouraged to refer to the respective websites for additional information. CISA Support: CISA assists agencies through a myriad of services, including direct TA and training provided at no cost to the jurisdiction. The TA offerings include (but are not limited to): •Coordinated statewide governance (e.g., State Mapping Tool, Interoperable Communications Reference Guides); •Comprehensive emergency communications planning (e.g., SCIPs, TICPs, and Field Operations Guides); •Next Generation 911 planning and implementation; •Data operability and interoperability; •Alerts and warnings; •Broadband deployment; •Cybersecurity education and awareness; and •Communications Unit (COMU) planning and procedures. Information on these services is available at https://www.cisa.gov/safecom/ictapscip-resources and https://www.cisa.gov/interoperable-communications-technical-assistance-program. FEMA Disaster Emergency Communications Division (DEC) Support: The DEC, within FEMA Headquarters’ Response Directorate, has developed State Communications Annexes for all 56 states and territories. DEC provides technical assistance, coordinated through the FEMA Region’s Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator (RECC) in scheduling with the states and territories for major updates to the Annexes. Major updates are scheduled on a 3 to 5-year cycle. FEMA DEC supports the major update with a team of communications and emergency management specialists that facilitate a process of interaction with state representatives. This process is coordinated through the SWIC or state designated representative. All documentation is the responsibility of the FEMA support team and validated through state interaction. Minor yearly updates to the State Annexes are accomplished through the RECCWG process. FEMA DEC support staff, working in coordination with the region-specific RECC, incorporate pertinent update information provided by state and local representatives. Additionally, operational information identified through exercises and incident response activities is a source of update data. The FEMA RECC, with the