The National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) is designed to address gaps and determine solutions so that emergency response personnel at all levels of government and across all disciplines can communicate as needed, on demand, and as authorized. The National Emergency Communications Plan is the nation’s first strategic plan to improve emergency response communications, and complements overarching homeland security and emergency communications legislation, strategies and initiatives.

In this video, OEC Director Chris Essid discusses the NECP with Deputy Chief of Police Eddie Reyes (Alexandria, Virginia). Learn how the NECP was created and how it directly impacts and benefits the public safety community.

The National Emergency Communications Plan defines three goals that establish a minimum level of interoperable communications and a deadline for federal, state, local and tribal authorities:

1. By 2010, 90 percent of all high-risk urban areas designated within the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) can demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.
2. By 2011, 75 percent of non-UASI jurisdictions can demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.
3. By 2013, 75 percent of all jurisdictions can demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours of a significant event, as outlined in the department's national planning scenarios.

The National Emergency Communications Plan enhances governance, planning, technology, training and exercises, and disaster communications capabilities with recommendations and milestones for emergency responders and relevant government officials. It is designed to drive measurable and sustainable improvements over the next five years consistent with the:

• National Response Framework;
• National Incident Management System;
• National Preparedness Guidelines; and
• Target Capabilities List.

OEC is working with stakeholders across the nation to expand the NECP. The goal is to establish a strategy for improving mission-critical voice communications and integrating emerging technologies, such as broadband capabilities.

In this video, OEC Director Chris Essid, Fire Chief Charles Werner (Charlottesville, Virginia) and Deputy Chief of Police Eddie Reyes (Alexandria, Virginia) discuss the NECP update and the introduction of next-generation technologies into emergency communications.

National Emergency Communications Plan goals, along with these other department strategies, will improve nationwide response efforts and bolster situational awareness, information sharing and command and control operations.

Read the National Emergency Communications Plan (PDF, 83 pages - 4.09 MB)