UPDATE **IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT** - EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TEST postponed until OCTOBER 3, 2018

Intergovernmental Affairs Advisory

Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alerting Systems
Postponed Until October 3, 2018

WASHINGTON –FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), postponed the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts(WEA) until October 3 due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence.

The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.

October 3 was the previously scheduled back-up date for the test, which was originally set up for this Thursday, September 20. A backup date is always planned in case of widespread severe weather or other significant events on the primary test date.FEMA and the nation’s emergency management community remain committed to the life-saving activities occurring through parts of North Carolina and South Carolina.

For further information on the test, go to https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test.

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on September 20, 2018 (primary date) or October 3, 2018 (secondary date). You may receive a “Presidential Alert” on your wireless device regarding this test and will read "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” More information on the national test is available at https://www.fema.gov/Emergency-Alert-Test . Please share this information - the more aware we are, the better prepared we are!

MISSION STATEMENT REVISION!

On April 10, 2018, Director Mark Doyle announced the Division's new mission statement - Department of Safety Assistant Commission Richard C. Bailey attended. The revised mission statement was the product of a work group made up of representatives from each of the Division's sections; PSAP (9-1-1 call center), Mapping/Data Operations, Administration, Radio Maintenance, Special Projects and Technical Support. Over several work sessions, the work group collaborated on what the division does, how we do it, for whom we do it and why. As a result of their diligent work, our new mission statement is clear, precise and captures the focus of each section and the Division’s overall purpose.

The mission of the Division of Emergency Services and Communications, Bureau of Emergency Communications is "To locate, communicate and connect people in an emergency with the help they need."

Happy 50th Birthday 9-1-1!

On February 16, 1968, Alabama Speaker of the House, Mr. Rankin Fite, made the first 9-1-1 call from the Haleyville City Hall.

From that small beginning, 9-1-1 technology has become more sophisticated in response to consumer expectations. Each advancement has improved our nation’s ability to get better, more reliable information to first responders so they can do their job of saving lives and property.

It is because of people like our employees...EMDs, IT technicians, cartographers, field representatives, database managers, administrative personnel…that New Hampshire stands at the forefront of 9-1-1 excellence and remains the model for many states looking to mirror the New Hampshire E9-1-1 success story. Thank you!

Caller Location is critical in 9-1-1 Emergencies.

Lakes Region General Healthcare produces a 9-1-1 public service announcement.

The location of an emergency is very important. When calling 9-1-1, please pay attention to your surroundings and provide the 9-1-1 call taker with street names and house numbers, route numbers or interstate mile markers.

Text-to-9-1-1 Governor Announcement

On January 12, 2015, the Governor announced, “Public safety is state government’s most important responsibility, and Text-to-9-1-1 is an important step forward in our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our people and communities. Making traditional 9-1-1 emergency services available through text messaging is a common-sense initiative that will help save lives as we work to modernize how we provide critical state services, allowing Granite Staters to access emergency services when they are unable to place a call in a dangerous situation.”

Text to 9-1-1 Information

Text-to-9-1-1 allows residents in dangerous situations who are unable to risk the noise of a call to send a text for help. This will help save lives and must be used responsibly. Texting should only be used when a voice call is not possible, as voice calls provide an advantage by allowing the 9-1-1 operator to more quickly assess the type of emergency and the location of the emergency.

How to text 9-1-1:

• Enter the numbers '911' in the 'To' field
• In the message field, type your exact location and a BRIEF description of the help you need - use simple words, do not use abbreviations or shorthand
• Push the 'Send' button and
• Be prepared to answer the 9-1-1 call taker's questions

A text or data plan is required to place a Text-to-9-1-1. Currently, Text-to-9-1-1 is offered via Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Text messages may not go through if a cell signal is not available. If a text message does not go through, the sender will receive the following message; 'There is no text service to 9-1-1 available at this time.'

Text-to-9-1-1 messages cannot be received if there are multiple message recipients or if pictures, videos or emoticons are used.

Text-to-9-1-1 is FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY!