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  Emergency Response Operations Overview

Table of Contents:
Blue Arrow Marker NCC Response Principles
Blue Arrow Marker NTMS Response Levels and NCC Functions
Blue Arrow Marker NCC Operational Phases


NCC Operational Phases

During any emergency response in which it is involved, the NCC conducts its operations in six phases. At any time, the Manager, NCC, in coordination with the Assistant Manager, NCS Office of Emergency Preparedness (NCS-NE), may decide to disregard phases or to fall back to an earlier phase. The NCC operational timeline in Exhibit 1 shows the timing of important NCC EOT activities.

The NCC operational phases are:

  • NCC Alert

  • IRT Alert and Activation

  • IRT Operations

  • EOT Notification and Activation

  • EOT Operations

  • EOT Recall

Exhibit 1 - NCC Operational Timeline

NCC Operational Timeline

NCC ALERT
The Manager, NCC, or his/her designated representative, will be alerted directly or through the DISA NOC during non duty hours of any crisis that may require a NCC response. The Manager, NCC, will assess the nature of the crisis and determine whether or not an activation of the NCC IRT is necessary.

During the NCC Alert Phase, the Manager, NCC, in coordination with the Assistant Manager, NCS-NE, may determine that the situation warrants an immediate activation of the NCC EOT structure. Steps will then be taken to implement EOT notification procedures.


NCC IRT ALERT AND ACTIVATION
If the severity of the crisis warrants it, the Manager, NCC, may decide to activate the NCC IRT, alerting its members by telephone or pager, and ordering them to report to the NCC within 2 hours. The IRT will normally consist of the following individuals or their designated representatives. Exhibit 2 displays this structure.

  • Manager, NCC

  • Deputy Manager, NCC

  • NCC Telecommunications Manager

  • TSP Program Manager

  • Shared Resources HF Radio Program (SHARES) Operator

  • Computer/Local Area Network (LAN) Specialist.


Exhibit 2 - NCC Initial response Team Structure

NCC Initial response Team Structure



NCC IRT OPERATIONS

The first mission of the NCC IRT is to assess the damage, or potential damage, to the telecommunications infrastructure and the potential impact on NS/EP telecommunications. This will be performed by contacting NCS Regional Managers, NCC industry and government representatives, and FEMA to determine the size and scope of the emergency. If, after the IRT's assessment, the Manager, NCC, determines that the nature of the emergency warrants a full scale NCC response, he/she will activate the NCC EOT structure.

If it is decided to activate the NCC EOTs, the IRT will:

  • Determine NCC EOT staffing requirements in accordance with the basic EOT structure
    (Exhibit 3)


Exhibit 3 - NCC Emergency Operations Team Structure

NCC Emergency Operations Team Structure

  • Select the EOT Chief and staff

  • Implement EOT notification procedures

  • Determine NCC operating hours in coordination with the Assistant Manager, NCS-NE. In most cases, the operating hours of the Disaster Field Office (DFO) and the on-site FECC will guide this decision

  • Notify the NCS ESF #2 EST Representative to report to FEMA if the FRP is implemented and national level ESF #2 staffing is necessary

  • Issue the NCC Incident Report within 1 hour of the IRT activation, or as soon as the reliable information is available

  • Issue SHARES Advisory if warranted by the crisis

  • Prepare an initial emergency response status briefing for the Manager and Deputy Manager, NCS, within 1 hour of the IRT activation, or as soon as the reliable information is available

  • Alert possible NCS DALO as necessary

  • Alert NLP Program Management Offices (PMO) as necessary

  • Alert a second EOT and EST ESF #2 representative if 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-a-week (24X7) EOT staffing is required

  • Institute NCC Crisis Coordination Center (CCC) emergency response configuration plans and procedures.


NCC EOT ALERT AND ACTIVATION

Using the OMNCS Recall Guide, the first EOT will be of a specific reporting time, additionally NCC industry representatives will be informed of the EOT activation. The EOT should assume disaster response duties from the IRT no more than 8 hours after IRT activation.

If a second EOT is necessary, its members will be alerted and given a reporting time that will provide for a minimum of 1 hour overlap with the first EOT to allow for a proper handover and update briefing. If two EOTs are activated, they will be referred to as EOT Alpha and EOT Bravo. In staffing the EOTs, NCC IRT members should be integrated into both teams to ensure the continuity of the emergency response.

A second ESF #2 EST Representative will be activated for one or both EOTs, as necessary, if FEMA EST operational demands dictate.


NCC EOT OPERATIONS

EOT operations will be conducted in accordance with the applicable NCC SOPs and OPORDs. The Manager, NCC, in coordination with the Assistant Manager, NCS-NE, will adjust EOT staffing to meet the size of the required emergency response. If it is determined that the response requires additional staffing, the basic EOT structure will be expanded using staff from the current OMNCS EOT Roster. If the crisis response continues over an extended period of time, the Manager, NCC, may rotate EOT Alpha and Bravo members with qualified staff from the current OMNCS EOT Roster.

An updated status briefing and shift change briefing will be prepared and presented daily. NCC Information Bulletins, prepared in accordance with NCC SOP 014, Incident Reports and Information Bulletins, will normally be released twice daily. ESF #2 input for FEMA situation reports (SITREP) will be forwarded to the FEMA EST through the NCS ESF #2 EST representative as required by FEMA response procedures.


NCC EOT RECALL
The Manager, NCC, in coordination with the Assistant Manager, NCS-NE, and the Deputy Manager, NCS, will determine when the NCC will return to its normal, NTMS Response Level I status. This will usually be determined by a deactivation of most of the ESF elements of the FEMA EST. ESF #2 elements and industry points of contact (POC) at all levels will be notified of the NCC deactivation. EOT Operations Officers will be responsible for ensuring that all EOT members are notified of any deactivation. The NCC Telecommunications Manager is responsible for returning the CCC to its day-to-day configuration. EOT Operations Officers will also be responsible for collecting all records, files, and computer disks for use in after action reports. As soon as possible, all EOT and IRT members will be interviewed to facilitate the preparation of initial response assessments, lessons learned, and after action reports.



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