01636012

Monograph

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/176089.aspx

This report presents information on established and emerging national and state credentialing programs and systems that provide insights on how communications workers can be credentialed and given physical access to repair, service, or replace communications or network infrastructure during and after emergency incidents. Basic credentialing elements, issuing agencies, security exemptions, and identification of effective practices were researched to cover critical aspects that facilitate the restoration of public safety communications. Credentialing data were structured by a matrix containing elemental analysis, requirements to obtain access passes, and regulatory specifications needed to issue access permits for communications workers. The findings of this research indicate that although there are no standardized national level credentialing programs or systems in place for communications repair workers, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) play key roles in establishing appropriate credentialing criteria to facilitate emergency public safety communications capabilities. Currently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working closely with the communications industry to enhance first responder interoperability, which allows communications infrastructure providers and their contracted workers to promptly access an affected area during and after a disaster. The findings also indicate that the identification, qualification, and classification of incident management personnel are the key elements in providing appropriate public safety network communications worker credentials. Typically, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) and PIVInteroperable cards, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), the Red Card, and the Hazardous Material Endorsement badge, along with other various licenses and permits, are the main credentials for emergency responses. Departments of transportation are issuing similar credentials through their emergency operations centers. In addition to standardizing responder credentials, NIMS and FEMA, through their National Integration Center, offer training programs on developing and implementing emergency preparedness for communications and resource management. Incident response practices and organizational processes related to vetting and certification to ensure proper credentialing are identified herein. Finally, this report identifies the major steps required during the credentialing process that can potentially be extended to other nonfederal agencies that may wish to develop and implement a nationally reliable and effective credentialing system for communications restoration workers.

NCHRP Project 20-59(52)

English

41p

2017

NCHRP Web-Only Document

9780309460118

Contractor's Final Report

Web

Appendices; Figures; References; Tables

Disasters and emergency operations; Emergency communication systems; Security; Telecommunications

National Incident Management System; U.S. Federal Communications Commission; U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency

Credentialing

Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General)

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

May 26 2017 9:35AM