NECP Tribal Report

OMB No. 1670-NEW

Expiration Date: XXXX/XX/XXXX

TRIBE NAME

National Emergency Communications Plan
Tribal Report

Month Year

National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP)

Tribal Report

Submit to:
NECP Inbox at NECPgoals@hq.dhs.gov

Paperwork Reduction Act: The public reporting burden to complete this information collection is estimated at 0.5 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and the completing and reviewing the collected information. The collection of this information is voluntary. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number and expiration date. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to DHS/NPPD/CS&C/OEC Ryan Oremland, 202-343-1679 ATTN: PRA [1670-New].

Overview

The National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) Tribal Report provides an update on your tribe’s progress in achieving the initiatives and strategic vision of the NECP, which will be further discussed below. Further, this information will provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) with a clearer understanding of your tribe’s capabilities, needs, and strategic direction for achieving interoperability nationwide.

The NECP Tribal Report is to be completed by a designated tribal representative and submitted directly to DHS OEC. This section of the template will provide OEC with broader capability data across the lanes of the Interoperability Continuum, which are key indicators of consistent success in response-level communications.

National Emergency Communications Plan Goals

The National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) established a national vision for the future state of emergency communications, in which emergency responders can communicate as needed, on demand, and as authorized at all levels of government across all disciplines. To measure progress towards this vision, three strategic goals were established:

Goal 1—By 2010, 90 percent of all high-risk urban areas designated with the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)¹ are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications² within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.

Goal 2—By 2011, 75 percent of non-UASI jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.

Goal 3—By 2013, 75 percent of all jurisdictions are able to demonstrate response level emergency communications within three hours, in the event of a significant incident as outlines in national planning scenarios.

Tribal Capabilities Assessment

The Tribal Capabilities Assessment is to be completed by a tribal representative and submitted to the DHS OEC. Upon completion, please submit the report to OEC via email at NECPgoals@hq.dhs.gov.

For each lane of the Interoperability Continuum (Governance, Standard Operating Procedures [SOPs],

Technology, Training and Exercises, and Usage), please select the box that best describes the assessed area. While multiple descriptions may apply, counties should identify the one row that most closely describes their highest level of capability achievement.

Point of Contact

Name:

Position/Agency:

Phone:

E-Mail:

1. Governance (Select box that best describes your tribal jurisdiction.)

	Tribal decision-making groups are informal and do not yet have a strategic plan in place to guide collective communications interoperability goals and funding.
	Some formal tribal agreements exist, and informal agreements are in practice among members of a decision-making group; regional strategic and budget planning processes are beginning to be put in place.
	Formal agreements outline the roles and responsibilities of a tribal decision-making group, which has an agreed-upon strategic plan that addresses sustainable funding for collective, regional interoperable communications needs.
	Tribal decision-making bodies proactively look to expand membership to ensure representation from broader public support disciplines and other levels of government while updating their agreements and strategic plan on a regular basis.

2. Standard Operating Procedures (Select box that best describes your tribal entity.)

	Tribal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and interoperable communications SOPs are not developed or have not been formalized and disseminated.
	Some interoperable communications SOPs exist within the tribe, and steps have been taken to institute these interoperability procedures among some agencies.
	Interoperable communications SOPs are formalized and in use by all agencies within the tribe. Despite minor issues, SOPs are successfully used during responses and/or exercises.
	Interoperable communications SOPs within the tribe are formalized and regularly reviewed. Additionally, NIMS3 procedures are well established among all agencies and disciplines. All needed procedures are effectively utilized during responses and/or exercises.

3. Technology (Select box that best describes your tribal jurisdiction.)

	Interoperability within the tribe is generally achieved using bridging equipment (mobile/fixed gateway, console patch) or use of a radio cache.
	Interoperability within the tribe is primarily achieved through the use of shared channels or talk groups.
	Interoperability within the tribe is generally achieved using talkgroups on a proprietary shared system.
	Interoperability within the tribe is primarily achieved through the use of standards-based shared system (e.g., Project 25).

4. Frequency Band(s)
   What frequency band(s) do tribal agencies currently utilize? (Check all that apply)

	VHF-Low Band
	VHF-High Band
	UHF 450-470
	UHF “T Band” 470-512
	UHF 800 MHz
	UHF 700/800 MHz

5. Training & Exercises (Select box that best describes your tribal jurisdiction.)

	Tribal public safety agencies participate in communications interoperability workshops, but no formal training or exercises are focused on emergency communications.
	Some public safety agencies within the tribe hold communications interoperability training on equipment and conduct exercises although not on a regular cycle.
	Public safety agencies within the tribe participate in equipment and SOP training for communications interoperability and hold exercises on a regular schedule.
	Tribal public safety agencies regularly conduct interoperability training and exercises addressing equipment and SOPs that is modified as needed to address the changing operational environment.

6. Role of Interoperability (Select box that best describes your tribal jurisdiction.)

	First responders seldom use interoperability solutions unless advanced planning is possible (e.g. special event).
	First responders use interoperability solutions regularly for emergency events and, in a limited fashion, for day-to-day communications.
	First responders use interoperable solutions regularly and easily for all day-to-day, task force, and mutual aid events.
	Regular use of solutions for all day-to-day and out-of-the-ordinary events across the area on demand, in real time, when needed, as authorized.

7. Communications Equipment Use
   (Indicate the estimated percentage of public safety responses that utilize the following technologies in your tribe.)

Cell phones/Direct Connect
Satellite Phones
Mobile Data: Commercial Networks*
Mobile Data: Private Networks: Private Networks
Other Data

*Commercial Networks that operate at or above 128K; also includes use of broadband devices such as smart phones, mobile e-mail devices, or wireless air cards.

1 As identified in FY08 Homeland Security Grant Program

2 Response-level emergency communication refers to the capacity of individuals with primary operational leadership responsibility to manage resources and make timely decisions during an incident involving multiple agencies, without technical or procedural communications impediments.

3 The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. It is intended to be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents, hazards, and impacts, regardless of size, location or complexity; improve coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety of incident management activities; and provide a common standard for overall incident management.