Emergency Regulatory Mix - Friday, August 25, 2017 - Hurricane Harvey
FCC Chairman Pai Releases Statement on Hurricane Harvey
WASHINGTON, August 25, 2017—As the eye of Hurricane Harvey bears down on the Texas coastline, the FCC is taking action to protect the American public and our nation’s communications networks. We are working in close coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and state and local partners to prepare for the impacts of the storm. We have activated our Disaster Information Reporting System, deployed personnel to Texas, and provided emergency response officials and licensees with emergency contact information. These actions will enable us to monitor the extent of communications outages and, working with industry and government partners, support restoration efforts. And, as always, the FCC’s Operations Center will be open on a 24/7 basis.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those on the Gulf Coast, and we urge residents of the affected areas to take shelter and other necessary precautions.
The FCC Has Issued Several Public Notices Regarding Hurricane Harvey:
Public Notice DA 17-803
Federal Communications Commission Provides 24/7 Emergency Contact Information for Hurricane Harvey
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be available to address emergency communications needs twenty-four hours a day throughout the weekend, especially relating to the effects that Hurricane Harvey may have on the United States Gulf Coast.
The FCC reminds emergency communications providers, including broadcasters, cable service providers, wireless and wireline service providers, satellite service providers, emergency response managers and first responders, and others needing assistance to initiate, resume, or maintain communications operations during the weekend, to contact the FCC Operations Center for assistance at 202-418-1122 or by e-mail at FCCOPCenter@fcc.gov.
Public Notice DA 17-804
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, in Coordination with Multiple Other Bureaus, Issues Procedures to Provide Emergency Communications in Areas Affected by Hurricane Harvey
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, in coordination with the International Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, announces procedures to help communications services initiate, resume, and maintain operations in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Bureau-specific guidance is provided below. For additional information, applicants should contact the appropriate Bureau-specific staff identified below.
Public Notice DA 17-806
The FCC’S Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Announces the Activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System in Response to Hurricane Harvey
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) has announced the activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in response to HURRICANE HARVEY. DIRS is a voluntary, web-based system that communications providers, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, cable and Voice over Internet Protocol providers, can use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of crisis.
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The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.
