Maintaining open communication during a disaster is crucial to effective response. Learn more about primary communications channels and how to ensure hospitals have what they need to coordinate response.
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) and Wireless Priority Service (WPS) substantially benefit hospitals by expediting communications service restoration after a disruption (with or without a declared disaster).
GETS provides emergency access and priority processing in the local and long distance segments of the Public Switched Network (PSN). Federal, state, and local government, industry, and non-profit organization personnel that perform emergency preparedness can apply for and receive the GETS card and access code.
Wireless Priority Service (WPS) improves connections for a limited number of authorized emergency preparedness cell phone users. In the event of congestion in the wireless network, an emergency call using WPS will be placed in a queue for the next available channel.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) manages the California Health Alert Network (CAHAN), which is designated as the official health emergency alert system.
CAHAN is a secure notification system that facilitates collaboration, emergency planning, and communications for hospitals and health care providers, federal, state, local health departments, and other public health emergency partners.
Telecommunications Service Priority gives a higher priority for restoration of lost service by the hospital’s telecommunications provider. Additionally, new lines are expedited in the installation process.
Amateur radio is a backup communication resource that can help hospitals stay connected in earthquakes, firestorms, flooding, terrorist events, power failures, local telephone system outages, switch gear failures, and more.