[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 189 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56585-56586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22806]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 08-2090]


DIRS Reporting Data To Be Shared With Federal ESF-2 Agencies

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces that, in all future Disaster 
Information Reporting System (DIRS) activations, the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) will share DIRS data with 
the National Communications System (NCS) as well as with other Federal 
agencies authorized to participate in Emergency Support Function 2 
(ESF-2) activities.

DATES: On September 11, 2008, the Commission announced that it will 
share DIRS reporting data with all other Federal ESF-2 agencies.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Room TW-325, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffery Goldthorp, Chief 
Communications Systems Analysis Division, Public Safety and Homeland 
Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission at (202) 418-1096 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Public Safety & 
Homeland Security Bureau's Public Notice, DA 08-2090, released on 
September 11, 2008. The complete text of this document is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Information Center, CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. This 
document may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating 
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., in person at 445 12th Street, 
SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, via telephone at (202) 488-
5300, via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. Alternative

[[Page 56586]]

formats (computer diskette, large print, audio cassette, and Braille) 
are available to persons with disabilities by sending an e-mail to 
[email protected] or calling the Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau at 
(202) 418-0530, TTY (202) 418-0432. This document is also available on 
the Commission's Web site at http://www.fcc.gov.

Synopsis of the Public Notice

    On September 11, 2007, the Public Safety and Homeland Security 
Bureau (PSHSB) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or 
Commission) launched the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), 
a voluntary, efficient, Web-based system that communications companies, 
including wireless, wireline, broadcast and cable providers, can use to 
report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness 
information during times of crisis. In the event of a DIRS activation, 
participating communications providers that serve areas affected by a 
disaster voluntarily submit information regarding, inter alia, the 
status of their communications equipment, restoration efforts, power 
(i.e., whether they are using commercial power, generator or battery), 
and access to fuel. The Commission then compiles this data into reports 
which it shares with the National Communications System (NCS) in 
support of NCS's role as the primary agency for Emergency Support 
Function-2 (ESF-2) (Communications) of the National Response Framework. 
Because the information that communications companies input into DIRS 
is sensitive, for national security and/or commercial reasons, DIRS 
filings are non-public, and are considered presumptively confidential 
upon filing.
    DIRS has had its initial activations during this 2008 hurricane 
season, first in response to Tropical Storm Fay, and then in response 
to Hurricane Gustav. In both cases, the information collected by DIRS 
was of significant value. It has become evident that sharing the data 
with other Federal government agencies involved in ESF-2 functions 
directly would enhance the value of DIRS by streamlining the reporting 
process and facilitating the accurate assessment of any damage to 
carrier infrastructure and the rapid restoration of that 
infrastructure. Accordingly, in future DIRS activations, the FCC will 
share DIRS data with NCS as well as with other Federal agencies 
authorized to participate in ESF-2 activities. The distribution of DIRS 
data to Federal agencies involved in ESF-2 does not alter the 
presumptively confidential nature of DIRS filings. DIRS data will 
remain non-public, and any Federal agency to which DIRS data is 
distributed must, under Federal law, respect the confidential nature of 
DIRS filings. See 44 U.S.C. 3510. The Commission's decision to enhance 
the value of DIRS by expanding its reach to all Federal government 
agencies on the ESF-2 team is a further example of the Commission's 
commitment to promoting the safety of life and property through the use 
of wire and radio communication, as required by the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended, as well as to ensuring the continued effectiveness 
of ESF-2 and the National Response Framework.

Federal Communications Commission.
Derek K. Poarch,
Chief, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau.
[FR Doc. E8-22806 Filed 9-26-08; 8:45 am]
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