SAFECOM Survey - Local government version

Office of Emergency Communications
SAFECOM Nationwide Survey
Local Questionnaire

1

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
The public reporting burden to complete this information collection is estimated at 30 minutes 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 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 sns@hq.dhs.gov or HS/NPPD/CS&C/OEC,
245 Murray Lane, SW, Mail Stop 0640, Arlington, VA 20598-0640, ATTN: PRA [OMB Control No. 1670NEW].
Confidentiality Statement
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) will track
responses and participation; however, OEC will not collect personally identifiable information and only
aggregated survey data will be made publicly available so that individual responses will not be
distinguishable.

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SAFECOM Nationwide Survey
SAFECOM in partnership with the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Emergency
Communications (OEC) is conducting the SAFECOM Nationwide Survey (SNS). The SNS focuses on
public safety organizations and their emergency communications capability needs and gaps. The SNS
aims to achieve the following objectives:
•

Raise national awareness by reiterating how the role of emergency communications operability,
interoperability, and continuity helps keep America safe, secure, and resilient;

•

Build industry knowledge by providing stakeholders with statistically valid data and findings on
the current and future state of emergency communications;

•

Influence public policy by informing decision-makers and officials at all government levels about
needed support for emergency communications, programs, and services;

•

And drive capability improvements by identifying nationwide progress, best practices, and
gaps, and by formulating data-driven, evidence-based guidance and resources.

Taking the Survey:

•

Plan: The estimated time to complete the SNS is 30 minutes; however, it does not need to be
completed all at once.

•

Coordinate: SNS results will represent organizational-level responses. An organizational
representative should coordinate and complete the SNS with support from colleagues having the
knowledge to help answer questions on technical and operational subject matter.

•

Review: Review the full survey prior to starting to determine which questions may require
collaboration between colleagues within your organization.

Submissions:
•

SNS submissions are due by September 30, 2017.

•

For questions or technical help, e-mail sns@hq.dhs.gov, or call (800) XXX-XXXX.

Completed surveys can be returned via:

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•

U.S. Postal Service to: DHS – OEC, ATTN: Ron Hewitt c/o Eric Runnels, 245 Murray Lane, SW,
Mailstop 0613, Washington, DC 20598-0613;

•

A scanned copy e-mailed to: sns@hq.dhs.gov; or

•

A faxed copy transmitted to: DHS – OEC, ATTN: Eric Runnels at (703) 705-6130.

Question and Response Example
Format: Question 1 below illustrates one of the survey’s matrix formats with hypothetical responses.
Guidance: Tips on how to answer matrix question types are listed below:
•
•
•
•
•

Read the question prompt and pay close attention to any underlined terms.
From top to bottom, read the descriptions in the first column on the left.
From left to right, read the descriptions in the first row across the top.
Select one response per row (not by column) that best reflects your organization.
Definitions of key terms (“Decision-Making Groups”) are listed below the answer options.

1) Select the responses that best characterize your organization’s involvement in decision-making
groups that address emergency communications: (For each row, select one response) Note: Reading
from left to right, the first four responses are progressive (i.e., to select the fourth response, an
organization must have surpassed all the first three response criteria)
My
organization
participates in
informal
decisionmaking groups
With Other Disciplines
With Other Local
Governments
With State/Territorial
Governments
With Tribal Nations
With Federal
Departments/
Agencies
With NonGovernmental
Organizations (NGOs)
/Private Sector
With International/
Cross-Border Entities

My organization
participates in a
mix of informal
and formal
decision-making
groups

My organization
participates
primarily in
formal decisionmaking groups

My organization's
formal groups
proactively recruit
new participants
beyond first
responders

Not
Applicable

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Decision-Making Groups: A group or governing body with a published agreement that designates its authority, mission, and responsibilities.

Reminder: The completed matrix above is only one example of SNS question types and responses.
Throughout the SNS, question formats change and present other instructions. For example, other
instructions include the following prompts:
•

For each column, select one response;

•

For each column, select all that apply; and,

•

For each row, select one response per column.

Please remember to closely read all questions, underlined terms, and definitions. For any questions or
technical help, e-mail sns@hq.dhs.gov or call 1(800) XXX-XXXX. Thank you for your participation!

4

Demographic Questions

1) List your organization’s location: (For each line, enter one response; no acronyms)
State or Territory: ___________________________________________________________________ __
County: ___________________________________________________________________________ _
Locality (e.g. city, town, district, etc.): _____________________________________________________ _
Zip Code: ________________________________________________________________________ _ __

2) Enter your organization’s formal name: (No acronyms)
Organization Name: ____________________________________________________________________

3) Select the response that best characterizes your organization’s public safety discipline:
(Select one response)
Fire
Law Enforcement
Emergency Medical Services

Public Safety Answering Point(PSAP)/Public
Safety Communications Center (PSCC)
Other Emergency Response Discipline

4) Select the response that best characterizes the role of the individual coordinating the
survey response for your organization: (Select one response)
Executive Leadership
Senior Leadership
Supervisory Personnel

Investigative Personnel
Line and Support Personnel

5) Estimate the number of personnel in your organization who use emergency
communications: (Select one response)
Less than 50
51-250
251-500
501-1,000

1,001-5,000
5,001-10,000
Greater than 10,000

6) Estimate the population size that your organization serves: (Select one response)
Less than 2,500
2,501 – 4,999

5

5,000 – 9,999
10,000 – 24,999

Governance — the following questions address your organization’s involvement in decisionmaking groups.
1) Select the responses that best characterize your organization’s involvement in decisionmaking groups that address emergency communications: (For each row, select one response)
Note: Reading from left to right, the first four responses are progressive (i.e., to select the fourth
response, an organization must have surpassed all of the first three response criteria)
My
organization
participates in
informal
decisionmaking groups

My organization
participates in a
mix of informal
and formal
decision-making
groups

My organization
participates
primarily in
formal decisionmaking groups

My organization's
formal groups
proactively recruit
new participants
beyond first
responders

Not
Applicable

With Other
Disciplines

☐

☐

☐

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☐

With Other Local
Governments
With State/
Territorial
Governments
With Tribal Nations
With Federal
Departments/
Agencies
With NGOs/Private
Sector
With
International/CrossBorder Entities

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Decision-Making Groups: A group or governing body with a published agreement that designates its authority, mission, and responsibilities.
Emergency Communications: Capabilities needed to transmit/receive information during public safety incidents (e.g., natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, other man-made events).
Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters [VOAD]).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

2) Do the decision-making groups in which your organization participates support its needs to
achieve: (For each row, select one response per column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

6

Governance — the following questions address your organization’s agreements.
3) Select the responses that best characterize the agreements your organization has made to
ensure emergency communications interoperability: (For each row, select one response) Note:
Reading from left to right, the first four responses are progressive (i.e., to select the fourth response,
an organization must have surpassed all of the first three response criteria)

Other Disciplines
Other Local
Governments
State/Territorial
Governments
Tribal Nations
Federal Departments/
Agencies
NGOs/Private Sector
International/CrossBorder Entities

There are
informal,
undocumented
agreements in
practice with

There are
published and
active
agreements
with some

There are
published and
active agreements
with most

☐

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Agreements are
reviewed every 35 years, after
system upgrades,
or incidents that
test capabilities
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Not
Applicable

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Published and Active Agreements: Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), Executive Orders, Intergovernmental agreements, etc.
Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

4) Do your organization’s agreements meet its needs to achieve: (For each row, select one
response per column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

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Governance — the following question addresses the funding of your organization’s
communications capabilities, regardless of whether the items it uses are owned or shared.
5) Select the responses that best characterize each of the funding items listed: (For each row,
select one response)

Funding Items
Personnel (comms install/O&M)
Network/system(s) – Capital
investments
Network/system(s) – Operating
costs
Network/system(s) – Maintenance
Network/system(s) upgrade(s)
Network decommissioning
Equipment management
Equipment upgrades
Equipment disposal
Interoperability solutions – Capital
investments
Interoperability solutions –
Operating costs
Interoperability solutions –
Maintenance costs
Interoperability solutions –
Research and development
Cybersecurity – Capital
investments
Cybersecurity – Operating costs
Cybersecurity – Maintenance costs
Applications and services
development and implementation
Wireless Priority Services (WPS)
Telecommunications Service
Priority (TSP)

☐

There is
funding,
but it is
insufficient
to meet
needs
☐

There is
funding,
and it is
sufficient
for all
needs
☐

Funding is
sufficient and has
been identified to
address needs
beyond the current
budget cycle
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There
is no
funding
for this
item
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Don’t
Know

Not
Applicable

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Personnel: Individuals responsible for communications installations, operations, and maintenance.
Capital Investment: Equipment and other one-time costs.
Network decommissioning: The process of removing systems and equipment from active service.
Interoperability solutions: Any method, process, or system used to enable interoperability (e.g., radio swaps, channel or console crosspatching, and
shared system or channels).
Wireless Priority Services: A DHS OEC priority telecommunications service that improves the connection capabilities for authorized National
Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) cell phone users (e.g., senior members of the Presidential administration, local emergency managers, fire
and police chiefs, and technicians in wireline and wireless carriers, banking, nuclear facilities, and other vital national infrastructures). See
https://www.dhs.gov/wireless-priority-service-wps.
Telecommunications Service Priority: A DHS OEC program that authorizes NS/EP organizations to receive priority treatment for vital voice and data
circuits or other telecommunications services. See https://www.dhs.gov/telecommunications-service-priority-tsp.

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Governance — the following questions address the funding of your organization’s emergency
communications capabilities.
6) Select the sources used by your organization to fund emergency communications: (Select all
that apply)
Discretionary funding
Appropriated/dedicated funding
Grants
Bonds, specialized taxes, or fees
Shared resources (e.g., capital, operations and maintenance, systems, equipment)
Private individuals or organizations
None of the above
Don’t know

7) Select all organizations with whom your organization shares either costs or resources: (Select
all that apply)
Other Disciplines
Other Local Governments
State/Territorial Governments
Tribal Nations
Federal Departments/Agencies
NGOs/Private Sector Organizations
International/Cross-Border Entities
Our organization does not share costs/resources with other organizations
Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g.,
NGOs, utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

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Governance — the following questions address your organization’s strategic planning for
emergency communications.
8) Select the responses that best characterize your organization’s strategic planning process for
emergency communications: (For each row, select one response) Note: Reading from left to right,
the first four responses are progressive (i.e., to select the fourth response, an organization must have
surpassed all of the first three response criteria)
No
planning
process/
plan is in
place

A planning
process is in
place and an
emergency
communications
plan is under
development

An emergency
communications
plan is in place and
operationalized by
participating
organizations

Plan is reviewed
annually, after
system upgrades
and events that
test organizational
capabilities

Not
Applicable

☐

☐

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☐

With Other Disciplines

☐

With Other Local
Governments

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

With State/Territorial
Governments

☐

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With Tribal Nations

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With Federal
Departments/
Agencies
With NGOs/ Private
Sector
With International/
Cross-Border Entities

Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

9) Does your organization’s strategic planning process address its needs to achieve: (For each
row, select one response per column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

10

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – the following questions address your organization’s
SOPs.
10) Select the responses that apply to your organization’s SOPs: (Select all that apply)
No communications SOP or equivalent guidelines currently exist
Communications personnel SOPs exist (e.g., mobilization, deployment, demobilization)
Communications resources SOPs exist (e.g., activation, deployment, deactivation)
SOPs are updated on a regular basis
Personnel: Individuals responsible for communications installations, operations, and maintenance.



Instructions:
o Skip to Question 11 Only If you selected “No communications SOP or equivalent guidelines
currently exist” to Question 10 above.
o However, if you selected one of the other responses to Question 10 above, Questions 10a
– c below are follow-ups.

10a) Select the responses that best characterize your organization’s SOPs: (For each row,
select one response) Note: Reading from left to right, the first four responses are progressive (i.e., to
select the fourth response, an organization must have surpassed all of the first three response criteria)

With Other
Disciplines
With Other Local
Governments
With
State/Territorial
Governments
With Tribal Nations
With Federal
Departments/
Agencies
With NGOs/Private
Sector
With International/
Cross-Border
Entities

Informal
policies,
practices,
and
procedures
are in place

Formal policies/
practices/
procedures enable
day-to-day
situations’
interoperability

Formal policies/
practices/
procedures
enable out-ofthe-ordinary
situations’
interoperability

…And processes
for SOP
development and
review exist for
consistency
across responders

Not
Applicable





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

Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

11

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – the following questions address your organization’s
SOPs.
10b) Select the guidelines or standards that have influenced your organization’s
communications SOPs: (Select all that apply)
Communications Security, Reliability, and
Interoperability Council's (CSRIC) guidance
Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
guidance
DHS Communications Sector-Specific Plan
(CSSP)
Emergency Services Sector Roadmap to Secure
Voice and Data Systems
Federal Partnership for Interoperable
Communications (FPIC)
Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISAC)
Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations
(ISAO)
National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP)
National Emergency Communications Plan
(NECP)
National Interoperability Field Operations Guide
(NIFOG)
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)
National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) Cybersecurity Framework

National Incident Management System
(NIMS)/Incident Command Structure (ICS)
guidance
NIMS/ICS Communications Unit (COMU)
National Information Exchange Model (NIEM)
guidance
National Response Framework (NRF)
Federal Plain Language Guidelines
SAFECOM guidance (e.g., Guidelines for
Encryption in Land Mobile Radio [LMR]
Systems, Next Generation 911 [NG911]
Cybersecurity Primer)
SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum
SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency
Communications Grants
Industry guidance (e.g., vendor, provider,
trade organization)
State-level guidance
Local-level guidance
None of the above

10c) Select the topics that are included in your organization’s SOPs: (Select all that apply)
Land Mobile Radio (LMR)
Broadband
Project 25 Encryption
Social media
Cybersecurity
Priority services

Next Generation 911 (NG911)
Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications (e.g.,
Wireless Emergency Alert, Emergency Alert
System)
None of the above

Priority Services: Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS), WPS, TSP.

11) Do your organization’s SOPs meet its needs to achieve: (For each row, select one response per
column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

12

Technology — the following question addresses your organization’s technology solutions.
12) Select the responses that best characterize the technology solutions used by your
organization for interoperability, regardless of whether the systems in
use are owned or shared: (For each row, select one response) Note: Reading from left to right, the
first four responses are progressive (i.e., to select the fourth response, an organization must have
surpassed all of the first three response criteria)

Technology
Solutions
With Other
Disciplines
With Other Local
Governments
With
State/Territorial
Governments
With Tribal
Nations
With Federal
Departments/
Agencies
With NGOs/
Private Sector
With
International/
Cross-Border
Entities

Portable, mobile,
temporary
solutions
are developed in
the field with
resources/
equipment on
hand*

Planned
solutions
are readily
deployable,
but do not
employ
compatible
equipment**

Fixed
infrastructurebased
solutions are
employed that
use compatible
equipment***

Infrastructurebased solutions
are in place and
advanced
solutions are
being planned

Not
Applicable

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Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).
* Such as radio swaps.
** Such as channel patches or Mobile Command Posts.
*** Such as shared systems, channels or talkgroups.

13

Technology — the following question addresses your organization’s technology solutions.
13) Select the interoperability solutions your organization employs, regardless of whether the
systems in use are owned or shared: (Select all that apply)
Base Interface Module solution (BIM-to-BIM)
Channel/console cross-patching
Commercial wireless service (Bring-Your-OwnDevice)
Commercial wireless service (Government
Furnished Equipment)
Common applications (use of same or compatible
applications to share data)
Console-to-console intercom interconnections
(Center-to-Center Voice and Data)
Crossband repeaters
Custom-interfaced applications (e.g., custom
linking of proprietary applications or use of
middleware to share data)
Data exchange hubs (e.g., Computer-Aided
Dispatch [CAD]-to-CAD, integrated message
switching systems [MSS])
Deployable audio/gateway switch
Deployable site infrastructure (e.g., Cell on Wheels
[COW]/Cell on Light Truck [COLT])
Established channel sharing agreements
Fixed audio/gateway switch

Digital system (Internet Protocol-based)
Mobile Command Post/Mobile Communications
Post/Mobile Command Center
Mutual Aid channels/talkgroups (Shared
channels/talkgroups)
National Information Exchange Model (NIEM)based data exchange
National Public Safety Planning Advisory
Committee (NPSPAC) channels
One-way standards-based sharing of data
(applications to “broadcast/push” or “receive/pull”
data from systems)
Radio cache/Radio exchange
Radio reprogramming
Shared system (conventional or trunked)
Standards-based shared systems (e.g., Project
25 [P25])
Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI)/Console
Subsystem Interface (CSSI)
None of the above

Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.

14

Technology — the following question addresses your organization’s technology solutions,
regardless of whether the systems in use are owned or shared.
14) Select the types of information that is exchanged between your organization and others: (For
each column, select all that apply)

Information
Types
Voice
Video
Geographic
information system
(GIS) data
Evacuee/patient
tracking data
Accident/crash
(telematics) data
Resource data
(available
equipment, teams,
shelter/hospital
beds)
Biometric data
Computer-Aided
Dispatch (CAD)
data
Automatic Vehicle
Location (AVL)
data
Common Operating
Picture data
Other types of data

☐
☐

With
Other
Local
Governments
☐
☐

☐

With Other
Disciplines

With State/
Territorial
Governments

With
With
With With Federal
NGOs/ International/
None
Tribal Departments/
Private Cross-Border
Nations Agencies
Sector
Entities

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

15

Technology — the following question addresses your organization’s technology solutions,
regardless of whether the systems in use are owned or shared.
15) Select the extent to which the following factors affect your organization’s ability to
communicate: (For each row, select one response)
Factors
Unplanned system/equipment failure
Excessive planned downtime
Frequency interference
System congestion (e.g., limited spectrum
capacity, insufficient frequencies)
Cybersecurity disruption or breach
Poor coverage (in-building)
Poor coverage (outdoors)
Poor subscriber unit quality
Insufficient site hardening
Insufficient system/equipment redundancy
Insufficient route diversity
Deferred maintenance
Deferred capital expenditures
Diminished service due to adding users from
beyond our organization
System/equipment failure beyond the
ownership or control of our organization
Incompatibility of proprietary systems,
modes, and algorithms

Great
Extent
☐
☐
☐

Some
Extent
☐
☐
☐

Little
Extent
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐
☐
☐

Not
Applicable
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

None

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Insufficient System/Equipment Redundancy: Inability of additional or duplicate communications assets to share the load or provide backup to the
primary asset.
Insufficient Route Diversity: A single point of failure or dependence on a single provider causing diminished ability to communicate (e.g., backhaul
severs buried cable and causes outage).

16

Technology — the following questions address the sufficiency of your organization’s
technology solutions. These questions are presented with respect to technology only.
16) Does your organization have the appropriate infrastructure, systems, equipment, and facilities
to continue to communicate (i.e., achieve continuity of communications): (For each row, select
one response)

For “day-to-day” situations?
For “out-of-the-ordinary”
situations?

Strongly
Disagree
☐

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Strongly
Agree
☐

☐

☐

Not
Applicable
☐
☐

Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

17) Complete this sentence: “Our organization has the appropriate fixed, portable, mobile, deployable,
and/or temporary solutions to support interoperability for day-to-day situations…” (For each row,
select one response)

With Other Disciplines
With Other Local Governments
With State/Territorial Governments
With Tribal Nations
With Federal Department/Agencies
With NGOs/Private Sector
With International/Cross-Border
Entities

Not at
all

Not within
first 4 hours
after our
units arrive

Between
2-4 hours
after our
units
arrive

Between 15
minutes-2
hours after
our units
arrive

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Starting
0-15
minutes
after our
units
arrive
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Not
Applicable

☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

17

Technology — the following questions address the sufficiency of your organization’s
technology solutions. These questions are presented with respect to technology only.
18) Complete this sentence: “Our organization has the appropriate fixed, portable, mobile, deployable,
and/or temporary solutions to support interoperability for out-of-the-ordinary situations…” (For each
row, select one response)

With Other Disciplines
With Other Local Governments
With State/Territorial
Governments
With Tribal Nations
With Federal Departments/
Agencies
With NGOs/Private Sector
With International/Cross-Border
Entities

Not at
all

Not within
first 8
hours after
our units
arrive

Between 48 hours
after our
units arrive

Between 1-4
hours after
our units
arrive

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

Between
0-60
minutes
after our
units
arrive
☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐

Not
Applicable

☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.
Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

19) Select the response that best characterizes how well your organization’s communications
systems meet its mission requirements: (Select one response)
Systems do not currently meet mission requirements
Systems meet only basic mission requirements
Systems meet mission requirements of day-to-day situations, but not out-of-the-ordinary situations
Systems meet all mission requirements of day-to-day and most out-of-the-ordinary situations
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

18

Cybersecurity — the following questions address your organization’s cybersecurity posture.
20) Select the elements that your organization incorporates into its cybersecurity planning: (Select
all that apply)
Risk assessment (preventative)
Mitigation strategy
Mitigation evaluation implementation and
testing
Continuous monitoring
Threat/vulnerability identification
Incident response plans, policies, and
capabilities
Incident Response Team (IRT)

Agreement with U.S.-Computer Emergency
Readiness Team (CERT) to assist in
cybersecurity planning
Coordinated response and restoration
activities with internal and external parties
Single-factor authentication (e.g.,
passwords)
Multi-factor authentication (e.g., smart cards,
personal identification verification [PIV]
cards, tokens)
None of the above

21) Complete this sentence: “Cybersecurity incidents have had _______________ on the ability of our
emergency response providers and relevant government officials’ ability to communicate over the
past five years.” (Select one response)
Severe impact
Some impact
Minimal impact

No impact
Don’t know

Training – the following question addresses your organization’s end user training practices for
emergency communications.
22) Select the responses that best characterize your organization’s emergency communications
training: (Select all that apply)
None, personnel have not received training
Personnel have received, at most, informal education or training
Some personnel have received formal training
Substantially all personnel have received formal and regular training
Evaluations are documented and assessed along with the changing operational environment, to adapt future
training to address gaps and needs
End User: Individuals receiving or transmitting information.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Informal Training: Training with no lesson plans or assessments of student performance; may be on-the-job training.
Formal Training: Training that includes a lesson plan and an assessment of student performance, change or behavior; may be in a classroom or onthe-job.



19

Instructions:
o Skip to Question 23 Only If you selected “None, personnel have not received training” to
Question 22 above.
o However, if you selected one of the other responses to Question 22 above, Questions 22a
– b below are follow-ups.

Training – the following questions address your organization’s end user training practices for
emergency communications.
22a) Select the topics that are included in your organization’s emergency communications
training: (Select all that apply)
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command Structure (ICS)
Software training/refresher
Communications Unit (COMU)
Commonly used frequencies
Equipment training/refresher
Backup systems
Cybersecurity
Radio etiquette and terminology
National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)
Interoperability plans and practices specific to our organization
None of the above

22b) Select the groups that are included in your organization’s emergency communications
training: (Select all that apply)
Other Disciplines
Other Local Governments
State/Territorial Governments
Tribal Nations
Federal Departments/Agencies
NGOs/Private Sector
International/Cross-Border Entities
None of the above
Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

23) Are your organization’s personnel adequately trained in: (For each row, select one response per
column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

20

Exercises – the following questions address your organization’s exercises.
24) Does your organization either participate in or conduct exercises? (Select one response)
No
Yes


Instructions:
o Skip to Question 27 Only If you selected “No” to Question 24 above.
o However, if you selected “Yes” to Question 24 above, Questions 24a – b below are followups.

24a) Select the types of capabilities and roles included as part of the exercises in which your
organization either participates in or conducts: (Select all that apply)
Communications operability
Communications interoperability
Communications continuity
Communications Unit Leader (COML)
Communications Unit Technician (COMT)
Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM)
Incident Tactical Dispatch
Mobile Command Post/Mobile Communications Center
None of the above

24b) Select the statement that best characterizes how your organization evaluates
communications as an exercise objective: (Select one response)
Communications is not an exercise objective
Communications is not evaluated
Communications is evaluated but not documented
Communications is evaluated and documented
Communications is evaluated and documented in accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise
Evaluation Program (HSEEP)

Exercises – the following question addresses your organization’s emergency communicationsfocused exercises.
25) Complete this sentence: “My organization ___________ emergency communications-focused
exercises.” (Select one response)
Does not participate in or conduct
Participates in
Conducts
Participates in and conducts

21

Exercises – the following questions address your organization’s emergency communicationsfocused exercises.


Instructions:
o Skip to Question 26 Only If you selected “Does not participate in or conduct” for Question
25 above.
o However, if you selected either “Participates in,” “Conducts,” or “Participates in and
conducts” for Question 25 above, then Question 25a below is a follow-up that addresses
emergency communications-focused exercises.

25a) Select the types of emergency communications-focused exercises your organization either
participates in or conducts: (For each row, select all that apply)

Within Our Organization
With Other Disciplines
With Other Local
Governments
With State/Territorial
Governments
With Tribal Nations
With Federal
Departments/Agencies
With NGOs/Private
Sector
With International/CrossBorder Entities

Simulation

Seminars

Work
shops

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Equipment
Tests and/
or Drills

Table
tops

Functional

☐
☐

☐

☐
☐

☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

FullNot
scale Applicable

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Other Disciplines: Personnel with another organization of a different discipline (e.g., fire, law enforcement) within the same jurisdiction.
NGOs/Private Sector: Non-profit or for-profit organizations participating in emergency communications planning, use or reconstitution (e.g., NGOs,
utilities, communications service providers, equipment operators, transportation, food distribution, VOADs).
International/Cross-Border Entities: Foreign organizations (e.g., Canadian or Mexican organizations).

Exercises – the following questions address your organization’s exercises.
26) Have exercises adequately prepared your organization’s personnel to achieve: (For each row,
select one response per column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

22

Usage — the following questions address the usage of your organization’s emergency
communications capabilities.
27) Select the emergency communications capabilities that are used or tested: (For each row,
select all that apply)
Capabilities

For “day-today” situations

For “out-of-theordinary” situations

☐

☐

☐

☐

Primary voice

☐

Primary data
Interoperable voice

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Backup data

☐

☐

☐

☐

Backup voice

In accordance with
Standard Operating
Procedures

☐

☐

Interoperable data

With personnel
beyond our
organization

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

28) Select the response that best characterizes whether your organization uses
Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) for restoration or priority provisioning of critical
telecommunications services: (Select one response)
No policy for use has been established
No, as our organization is unaware of this program
No, the fees are cost prohibitive
No, will only use this service for priority provisioning of new services
Yes, but only some critical circuits/services are registered for priority restoration
Yes, all critical voice, video, and data circuits/services are registered for priority restoration
Yes, all critical voice, video, and data circuits/services are registered for priority restoration and the
organization is aware and proficient in priority provisioning
None of the above
Telecommunications Service Priority: A DHS OEC program that authorizes National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) organizations to
receive priority treatment for vital voice and data circuits or other telecommunications services. See https://www.dhs.gov/telecommunications-servicepriority-tsp.

29) Select the responses that best characterize your organization’s emergency communications
resource capacity: (For each row, select one response)

Communications
Resource
Primary voice
Primary data
Interoperable voice
Interoperable data
Backup voice
Backup data

Insufficient for
day-to-day
situations
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Sufficient for dayto-day situations
but not for out-ofthe-ordinary
situations

Sufficient for dayto-day and most
out-of-the-ordinary
situations

Sufficient for almost all
situations, including those
requiring personnel beyond
our organization

☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐
☐

☐

☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐

Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.
Capacity: Upper bound on the rate at which information can be reliably transmitted over a communications channel.

23

☐
☐
☐
☐

Usage — the following questions address the usage of your organization’s emergency
communications capabilities.
30) Select the responses that best characterize how often your organization either uses or
deploys the following: (For each row, select one response)
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Ad Hoc
Basis
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

SemiAnnually
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

Never
Interoperability solutions - voice
Interoperability solutions - data
Communications Unit Leader (COML)
Communications Unit Technician (COMT)
Tactical Dispatcher
Amateur Radio Operator (e.g., Auxiliary
Communications Operator)
Incident Communications Manager

☐

☐

Quarterly

Monthly

Daily

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

31) Are your organization’s end users proficient in using emergency communications capabilities
to achieve: (For each row, select one response per column)
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “day-to-day” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
 Yes  No

End User: Individuals receiving or transmitting information.
Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

24

Equipment — the following questions address the technology systems your organization uses.
32) Select the responses that characterize the technology systems your organization uses, regardless of whether
the systems are owned or shared: (If your organization does not own or operate the technology system indicated in
the row, leave the row blank. Otherwise, for each row, select a response for each set of columns)

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

0-1 year old
Don't Know

☐

2-5 years old

Supports out-of-the-ordinary
situations without intervention

☐

6-10 years old

Supports out-of-the-ordinary
situations with intervention

☐

Over 10 years old

Supports day-to-day situations
without intervention

Independently owned and
operated (e.g., Single
Jurisdiction System) used
exclusively by our organization
Part of a communications
system that serves multiple
public safety and/or public
service organizations in our
jurisdiction
Multi-jurisdictional or Statewide
Shared System (e.g., Shared
infrastructure, system of
systems)
Commercial, subscription-based
service

Age of System
(Select one)

Supports day-to-day situations
with intervention

Land Mobile Radio
(LMR) System (Do not
choose if system is
converged with LTE)
Long-Term Evolution
(LTE) System (Do not
choose if system is
converged with LMR)
LTE-LMR Converged
System
Satellite System
High Frequency (HF)
Radio (Auxiliary
Communications
[AUXCOMM]/SHAred
RESources [SHARES]/
FEMA National Radio
System [FNARS])
Paging System
Wireless Local Area
Networks (e.g., WiFi)
Cellular (e.g., 2nd
Generation [2G]/3rd
Generation [3G] wireless
systems)
Wireline (e.g., fiber,
copper)
Microwave Backhaul
911 Telephony (e.g.,
basic, enhanced, Next
Generation [NG911])

Ownership
(Select one)

Used for interoperability

Technology Systems

Use
(Select all that apply)

Not used for interoperability

Interoperability
(Select one)

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

LTE-LMR Converged Systems: Systems that allow for LTE-LMR interworking (e.g., LTE-LMR hybrid networks, device-based LTE-LMR integration, converged service solutions, application-assisted
integration).
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Intervention: The system requires assistance beyond first responder operating procedures (e.g., must get patch through dispatcher/telecommunicator, must be authorized by a third party).
Basic 911: Allows callers to reach the universal emergency telephone number; relies on caller and call taker communications with one another to identify the telephone and location from which caller
is dialing.
Enhanced 911 (E911): Allows automatic number and location indications of caller delivered to call taker; enables call taker to send help even when caller is unable to communicate.
Next Generation 911: Allows same information-sharing opportunities as E911, and enables caller the ability to use commercial communication devices to send voice, data, and video to Public Safety
Answering Points (PSAPs).

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Equipment — the following questions address the technology systems your organization uses.
33) Select the responses that characterize the technology systems your organization uses, regardless of whether
the systems are owned or shared: (If your organization does not own or operate the technology system indicated in
the row, leave the row blank. Otherwise, for each row, select a response for each set of columns)

Used for Data

Used for Secure Data

Unreliable

Reliable some of the time

Reliable most of the time

Will replace or significantly
upgrade in more than 10 years

Will replace or significantly
upgrade within 6-10 years

Will replace or significantly
upgrade within 5 years

Will replace or significantly
upgrade within 1 year

Don't Know

Low (used infrequently in
support of mission)

Medium (used regularly in
support of mission)

High (vital for mission function)

Importance
(Select one)

Used for Secure Video

Land Mobile Radio (LMR)
System (Do not choose if
system is converged with LTE)
Long-Term Evolution (LTE)
System (Do not choose if
system is converged with LMR)
LTE-LMR Converged System
Satellite System
High Frequency (HF) Radio
(Auxiliary Communications
[AUXCOMM]/SHAred
RESources [SHARES]/ FEMA
National Radio System
[FNARS])
Paging System
Wireless Local Area Networks
(e.g., WiFi)
Cellular (e.g., 2nd Generation
[2G]/3rd Generation [3G]
wireless systems)
Wireline (e.g., fiber, copper)
Microwave Backhaul
911 Telephony (e.g., basic,
enhanced, Next Generation 911
[NG911])

System Upgrade
(Select one)

Used for Video

Technology
Systems

Reliability
(Select one)

Used for Voice
Used for Secure Voice

Type of Use
(Select all that apply)

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LTE-LMR Converged Systems: Systems that allow for LTE-LMR interworking (e.g., LTE-LMR hybrid networks, device-based LTE-LMR integration, converged
service solutions, application-assisted integration).
Secure Voice, Video and Data: Encrypted communications at the Secret or higher level using the various specifications for classified communications.
Reliable: Trustworthy and consistently performs according to its specifications. Being reliable also indicates that the system is available.
Importance: Describes a given technology system’s importance to the organization’s operational success.
Basic 911: Allows callers to reach the universal emergency telephone number; relies on caller and call taker communications with one another to identify the
telephone and location from which caller is dialing.
Enhanced 911 (E911): Allows automatic number and location indications of caller delivered to call taker; enables call taker to send help even when caller is unable to
communicate.
NG911: Allows same information-sharing opportunities as E911, and enables caller the ability to use commercial communication devices to send voice, data, and
video to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).

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Equipment — the following questions address the technology systems your organization uses.



Instructions:
o Skip to Question 35a Only If you did not select any responses for the matrix questions
above regarding the “Land Mobile Radio (LMR)” technology system.
o However, if you selected responses above to characterize an LMR system your
organization uses, Questions 34a – d below are follow-ups that address the LMR system
your organization uses most often for interoperability (i.e., your organization’s primary
LMR system, regardless of whether it is owned or shared).

34a) What radio frequencies does your organization’s LMR system use? (Select all that apply)
Low Band VHF (25-50 MHz)
High Band VHF (138-144/148-174 MHz)
Federal Band VHF (380-400 MHz)
Federal Band UHF (406-420 MHz)
UHF (450-470 MHz)
UHF (470-512 MHz) [T-band]
700 Band (763-768/793-798 MHz) [Broadband]

700 Band (769-775/799-805 MHz) [Narrowband]
700 Band (764-776 MHz) [Original 700 MHz
allocation]
800 Band (806-821/851-866 MHz)
800 Band (821-824/866-869 MHz)
Other frequency bands
Not applicable

34b) Does your organization’s LMR system comply with the Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials (APCO) Project 25 (P25) standards (i.e., a P25-compliant system)?
(Select one response)
No
Yes, Phase I compliant
Yes, Phase II compliant

34c) Select the response that best characterizes the network architecture of your organization’s
LMR system: (Select one response)
Conventional (not trunked)
Trunked
Both

34d) Select the characteristics and features of the LMR mobile system devices (i.e., subscriber
units) used most often by your organization: (Select all that apply)
Mobile
Portable
Dual-band
Tri-band
Quad-band
Analog
Mobile data device
Project 25 (P25) compliant

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P25 Digital
P25 Encryption
Proprietary encryption/voice security
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) handsets (as a
Land Mobile Radio)
Other Digital (e.g., TETRA, MOTOTRBO,
Digital Mobile Radio [DMR], NXDN)
Our organization does not use mobile
system devices (i.e., subscriber units)

Equipment — the following questions address the technology systems your organization uses.



Instructions:
o Skip to Question 26 Only If you selected “Does not participate in or conduct” for Question
26 above.
o However, if you selected either “Participates in,” “Conducts,” or “Participates in and
conducts” for Question 25 above, then Question 25a below is a follow-up that addresses
emergency communications-focused exercises.

35a) What radio frequencies does your organization’s LTE-LMR Converged system use? (Select all
that apply)
Low Band VHF (25-50 MHz)
High Band VHF (138-144/148-174 MHz)
Federal Band VHF (380-400 MHz)
Federal Band UHF (406-420 MHz)
UHF (450-470 MHz)
UHF (470-512 MHz) [T-band]
700 Band (763-768/793-798 MHz) [Broadband]

700 Band (769-775/799-805 MHz) [Narrowband]
700 Band (764-776 MHz) [Original 700 MHz
allocation]
800 Band (806-821/851-866 MHz)
800 Band (821-824/866-869 MHz)
Other frequency bands
Not applicable

35b) Does your organization’s LTE-LMR Converged system comply with the Association of PublicSafety Communications Officials (APCO) Project 25 (P25) standards (i.e., a P25-compliant
system)? (Select one response)
No
Yes, Phase I compliant
Yes, Phase II compliant

35c) Select the response that best characterizes the network architecture of your organization’s
LTE-LMR Converged system: (Select one response)
Conventional (not trunked)
Trunked
Both

35d) Select the characteristics and features of the LTE-LMR Converged mobile system devices
(i.e., subscriber units) used most often by your organization: (Select all that apply)
Mobile
Portable
Dual-band
Tri-band
Quad-band
Analog
Mobile data device
Project 25 (P25) compliant
P25 Digital

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P25 Encryption
Proprietary encryption/voice security
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) handsets (as a
Land Mobile Radio)
Other Digital (e.g., TETRA, MOTOTRBO,
Digital Mobile Radio [DMR], NXDN)
Our organization does not use mobile
system devices (i.e., subscriber units)

Equipment — the following question addresses the technology systems your organization uses.



Instructions:
o If your organization does not own or operate a 911 system, skip to Question 37.
o However, if you selected responses above to characterize a 911 system your organization
uses, Question 36 below is a follow-up that addresses the 911 system your organization
uses most often for interoperability (i.e., your organization’s primary 911 system,
regardless of whether it is owned or shared).

36) Select the responses that best characterize the current state of your organization’s 911
architecture: (Select all that apply)
Basic
Transitioning to Enhanced 911 (E911)
E911
Transitioning to Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Last Question
37) Between 2006 and 2011, what was your organization’s level of improvement in strengthening
emergency communications: (For each row, select one response per situation type)
For “day-to-day” situations?
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?

Regressed

None

Some

Significant

Regressed

None

Some

Significant

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Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

38) Between 2011 and Today, what was your organization’s level of improvement in strengthening
emergency communications: (For each row, select one response per situation type)
For “day-to-day” situations?
Operability
Interoperability
Continuity

For “out-of-the-ordinary” situations?

Regressed

None

Some

Significant

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Regressed
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Significant
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Operability: Ability to provide and maintain reliable communications functionality throughout the area of responsibility.
Interoperability: Ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to communicate across jurisdictions, disciplines, and
levels of government as needed and as authorized.
Continuity: Ability to provide and maintain acceptable levels of communications during disruptions in operations.
Day-to-Day Situations: Situations within the general normal structure for an organization, including routine operations.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Situations: Situations that may stretch and/or overwhelm the abilities of an organization.

*END OF SURVEY. Thank you for helping to improve emergency communications nationwide!*

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