The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the first updated National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) since the original publication in 2008.  The 2014 NECP provides information and guidance to those that plan, coordinate, invest in, manage and use emergency communications systems.  The Office of Emergency Communications worked closely with more than 350 people from Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions, and the private sector to update the NECP to address emergency communications challenges in the 21st century.  To address the rapidly evolving emergency communications landscape, the NECP emphasizes the need to enhance and update the policies, governance structures, plans, and protocols that enable responders to communicate and share information under all circumstances.  As a stakeholder-driven plan, the NECP aims to maximize the use of all communications capabilities available to emergency responders – voice, video, and data – and to ensure the security of data and information exchange.

For additional information on the 2014 NECP, please refer to: http://www.dhs.gov/necp.