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Best Practices

Best Practices are defined as the most efficient and effective method of accomplishing the tasks in each of our covered areas, based on repeatable procedures that have proven themselves over time for large numbers of people, responses, organizations, or functions.

  • 7/11/2008
  • EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines for Statewide Adoption
  • 8/19/2009
  • Federal Employers Guidelines for Influenza Season
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines are designed to help employers prepare now for the impact of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza on their employers and operations. Employers' plans should address such points as encouraging employees with flu-like symptoms or illness to stay home, operating with reduced staffing, and special arrangements for employees who are at higher risk of serious medical complications from infection.
  • 4/3/2008
  • First Responder's Guide to Satellite Communications
  • SIA, 2007. The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) released this guidebook to provide users in public safety, homeland security, and emergency preparedness with the basic fundamental information needed to effectively incorporate satellite communications into preparations for the next natural or man-made disaster. The guidebook includes an overview of satellite communications capabilities; video, voice and data applications; equipment requirements and easy to follow steps for connecting with satellite through various types of terminals; and a glossary of terms, definitions and frequencies.
  • 9/23/2008
  • National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices: Pandemic Preparedness in the States; An Assessment of Progress and Opportunity
  • This paper presents an overall assessment of the current level of pandemic preparedness in the states, based on the NGA Center_s observations and an analysis of the information provided by workshop participants.
  • 6/12/2008
  • National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)
  • The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) is a collection of technical reference material for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response applications. The NIFOG includes information from the National Interoperability Frequency Guide (NIFG), the instructions for use of the NIFG, and other reference material; formatted as a pocket-sized guide for radio technicians to carry with them.
  • 4/3/2008
  • National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), Report to the President on Emergency Communications and Interoperability
  • The National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee commissioned a two-part effort to (1) urgently identify specific actions to improve emergency communications and interoperability in the short term and (2) identify mid- to long-term policy recommendations and technology solutions to enhance collaboration across organizational and jurisdictional boundaries to help our country better prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. The Committee recommends a plan to support deployable communications resources that will provide resiliency in the face of major system failures.
  • 4/3/2008
  • NENA Minimum Standards for Emergency Telephone Notification Systems
  • This document provides PSAPs with on-point administrative, procedural and functional information useful to the successful purchase, implementation and deployment of an emergency telephone notification system in their community. It also provides substantive information on the three key elements of any ETNS system: data accuracy, system reliability, and dial out speed.
  • 4/3/2008
  • NENA Model Recommendation for Disaster and Contingency Plans
  • This document provides general guidelines for circumstances that may adversely impact the Communications Center/PSAP personnel to receive, process, dispatch and monitor emergency calls for assistance. It was developed to provide standardized guidelines for use during disaster situations that may impact the ability of a Communication Center/PSAP to maintain normal operations.
  • 4/3/2008
  • NENA Mutual Aid Standard/Model Recommendation
  • NENA provides this model for the development of Mutual Aid Agreements or Memorandums of Understanding between Public Safety Communications Agencies. It addresses the need of each PSAP to have an understanding of what resources are available or may be requested from other agencies. It also addresses the need to have an understanding about the duties and scope of resources and the manner in which compensation is provided. NENA recommends that all elements in the model be detailed to the extent required for the agencies involved and be reviewed by legal counsel prior to implementation.
  • 10/19/2009
  • Nobody left behind: Report on best practices in disaster preparedness and emergency response for Persons with Disabilities
  • This webpage provides information about OK-WARN, which assists persons with hearing impairments better access to weather information.
  • 9/2/2009
  • ATIS Pandemic Checklist (2009)
  • This document includes a compilation of existing, as well as newly-developed, industry consensus best practices to ensure service provision, and business continuity in the event of a pandemic outbreak.
  • 7/31/2008
  • Pandemic Flu Action School Kit, Contra Costa County, California
  • 7/31/2008
  • Pandemic Flu Kit for Child Care Providers, Contra Costa, California
  • 6/13/2008
  • Portable Radio Best Practices - International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
  • Portable Radio Best Practices - International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
  • 7/11/2008
  • Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: Recommendations for Protocol Development for 9-1-1 Personnel and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS)
  • 4/3/2008
  • Primer on Redundant Communications
  • Wisconsin DOPH, January 2007. To assist hospitals and health departments with telecommunications technology, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health established the State Expert Panel on Communications. The Panel is composed of representatives from hospitals, health departments, EMS, Emergency Management, State Patrol, law enforcement, National Guard, telecommunications companies, amateur (HAM) radio, fire departments, and 911 Dispatch. The Panel released a primer recommending that each hospital and health department in the State of Wisconsin have four tiers of communications redundancy: Landline/Cellular Telephones, Two-Way Radio (UHF/VHF/800mhz), Satellite Telephone, and Amateur (HAM) Radio. The Panel developed 45 recommendations to help the Wisconsin medical sector establish a foundation of telecommunications technologies.
  • 5/9/2008
  • Recommendations for Improving 9-1-1 Call Center Operations
  • 10/7/2009
  • Special Report: Fire Departments and Maritime Interface Area Preparedness (2009)
  • This report addresses fire department preparedness for incidents in maritime areas and the importance of establishing a multiagency response capability that includes law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, port authorities, the private sector, and emergency management agencies.
  • 7/8/2008
  • Suggested Emergency Planning Activities for Regions, States, and Localities
  • The attached material is intended for State Interoperability Executive Committees and others responsible for planning interoperable emergency communications, specifically interoperable communications among emergency responders from multiple agencies and/or jurisdictions.
  • 7/31/2008
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
  • VT Alerts is Virginia Tech's urgent notification system, comprised of a variety of methods by which the university can contact students, faculty, and staff. VT Alerts uses several methods to reach the campus community, including text messages, phone calls, online instant messages, and emails. During an emergency, VT Alerts cycles through all points of contact until a confirmation receipt is issued from the user that the emergency message was received. VT Alerts is an opt-in subscription service.
  • 4/3/2008
  • When They Can't Talk Lives are Lost
  • National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice, 2002. This paper outlines the current state of incompatible emergency communications systems and explains why public safety agencies are unable to effectively communicate and coordinate public safety operations. It underscores the need for interoperable public safety communications systems as vital to public safety and outlines the public official's role in championing interoperability.
  • 4/3/2008
  • Why Can't We Talk - National Task Force on Interoperability
  • National Task Force on Interoperability, Feb. 2005. Interoperability among the public safety communications systems of different agencies has been an enduring challenge in the industry, one highlighted by recent major disasters. To address this problem, 18 national associations (representing State and local officials and public safety officials) formed a task force. They wrote this guide to provide a basic explanation of the complex obstacles to interoperability among systems and to provide strategies for the planning and funding of systems achieving interoperability.
  • 4/3/2008
  • Wireless Communications in Public Safety
  • NLECTC, January 2003. This guidebook presents an encompassing view of basic technologies and issues in public safety communications. Topics include planning, funding, and procuring communications systems, basic technologies, and regulatory issues. The material is introductory in nature and provides a framework for understanding the issues. The guidebook was sponsored by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) which was created in 1994 as a component of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) Office of Science and Technology.