Emergency Communications Month
Emergency Communications Month 2024: Resilient Together
This April, as we celebrate Emergency Communications Month, we are prioritizing the people who support the systems on which we rely and highlighting the role of emergency communications as a vital function. This year’s theme, Resilient Together, highlights both the importance of emergency communications in building resilient critical infrastructure and the need to work together. CISA is also encouraging all emergency communications partners to enroll in the agency’s free priority telecommunications services.
During the month, CISA will also recognize and celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), which is held annually during the second week of April to honor telecommunications personnel for their commitment, service, and sacrifice. Visit CISA Emergency Communications as well as our SAFECOM and NCSWIC pages for more information and resources.
Ensure your Priority Call goes through:
When you get a "busy" or an "all circuits are busy" tone during an emergency or adverse conditions, using Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) or Wireless Priority Service (WPS) helps get your call through to its destination.
Featured Content
Emergency Communications Month Toolkit
This toolkit provides additional information on Emergency Communications Month.
Cyber Resilient 911 Symposium
A Recap of CISA’s Cyber Resilient 911 Symposium (Western Region)
Resilient Together, Highlighting the Importance of Emergency Communications
Emergency communications is the foundation of a resilient community.
Resilient Together with Priority Telecommunications Services (PTS)
Add priority services to your emergency communications plan.
Guides and Best Practices
These resources provide guidance and best practices to improve emergency communication planning.
Emergency Communications Technical Assistance Service Offerings Guide
Transition to Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) White Paper
Leveraging the PACE Plan into the Emergency Communications Ecosystem
Field Operations Guides (FOGs)
Public Safety Resources
Public safety is the core of CISA's Emergency Communications mission. These resources provide guidance for various intersections between communication and public safety.
911 Cybersecurity Resource Hub
SAFECOM/NCSWIC resources for Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs)
Public Safety Communications and Cybersecurity Resiliency Toolkit
Public safety communications and cyber resiliency resources in one place.
Public Safety Cybersecurity
This page provides resources to public safety practitioners regarding common questions related to public safety cybersecurity.
Transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911)
This page provides resources and tools to support 911 system operations, security, and NG911 transition.
Salute to Emergency Communications Coordinators: Stories from the Field
From planning to disaster response to assessments, our Emergency Communications Coordinators engage stakeholders across the nation and address the complex issues facing the emergency communications ecosystem.
Fact Sheets and Posters
These quick references provide a one-page overview of important emergency communication topics.
Protect Your Center from Ransomware Poster
Priority Telecommunications Services Documents
Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET) Fact Sheet for Public Safety
Emergency Communications and Extreme Weather Factsheet
SAFECOM and NCSWIC Resources
CISA's SAFECOM and NCSWIC resources are aimed at improving emergency response provider's emergency communications.
SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum Library
The SAFECOM resources library is organized according to the elements of the Interoperability Continuum.
SAFECOM Funding Resources
These resources are available to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to identify available funding sources, plan emergency communications projects for federal grants, and inform decision-makers on the importance of funding.
SAFECOM Nationwide Survey
The SAFECOM Nationwide Survey (SNS) is a nationwide data collection effort to obtain actionable and critical data that drives our nation’s emergency communication policies, programs, and funding.
SWIC Factsheet
This factsheet provides an overview of the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) including their history, goals, and accomplishments.
NCSWIC Membership
The NCSWIC Membership page offers an interactive map to view contact information for each region as well as a listing of NCSWIC leadership and executive committee members.
Hotwash Comment Card
Submit a comment card to NCSWIC using this template. The NCSWIC will use this information to improve offerings and lessons learned.
Checklist for Communications Technology in Training and Exercises
A checklist for Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICs) when introducing new and emerging technologies to state trainings and exercises.
Related Content
Emergency Communications
CISA provides plans, resources, and training to support emergency communications for first responders.
Secure Our World
Simple ways to protect yourself, your family and your business from online threats.
Secure by Design
It's time to build cybersecurity into the design and manufacture of technology products.
Shields Ready
CISA stands ready to help America prepare for and adapt to changing risk conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from potential disruptions, regardless of cause.
National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) Webinars
The National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) webinar series is designed to provide the public safety community with practical solutions intended to help organizations improve their emergency communications capabilities through the implementation of the NECP.