Home > I. Policy & Management Framework > 4. Emergency management protocols > C.7 Communications systems

Policy & Management Framework

4. Emergency management protocols – C.7 Communications systems

For help contact:

CARE Emergency Group (CEG)
Head of Emergency Operations
Telephone: + 41 22 795 10 23 Email: emergencyoperations@careinternational.org 

Process leader:
Country Office Telecommunications and IT Officer

Process involvement:
Country Director, ERT and Safety Security Officer

A. Purpose

This protocol outlines steps to ensure that appropriate telecommunications (telecoms) and IT support is provided to staff working in emergency assessments and responses.

Back to top

B. Policy

Reliable and effective communications systems are essential to keep staff safe and enable programmes to function as efficiently as possible.

Country Offices, with support from the Lead Member and CI Emergency Group (CEG), are responsible for prioritising and ensuring the establishment of effective communications systems to support emergency response operations, and ensuring staff safety and security during such operations.

If the CO does not have suitably qualified staff members to establish and/or manage telecoms systems for the CO, it should ask the Lead Member or CEG to identify a qualified person to be deployed.

Back to top

C. Instructions

1.         Procedure and accountabilities for communications systems

Action

Responsible

Involved

Approval

Timing

Determine the level of security in areas of CARE involvement

CO Safety and Security Officer (SSO)

CO Emergency Response Team (ERT)

Country Director

Immediate

What telecoms systems and networks are potentially available to CARE?

  • Where and what UN networks are operating or planned?
  • Is the telecoms cluster operating?
  • Obtain details of all call centres, particularly the 24-hour centres.
  • Which NGOs or companies have or are planning telecoms systems?

CO telecoms officer

CO SSO and ERT

Country Director

As soon as possible

Identify the most suitable communication systems, considering:

  • Which would best suit security requirements?
  • Which are most suitable to the needs of the emergency programmes?
  • What are the government import and usage regulations?
  • Which systems can be procured quickly and maintained thereafter?

CO telecoms officer and SSO

CO ERT

Country Director

As soon as possible

If required, prepare radio room and recruit radio operator(s)

CO telecoms officer

CO ERT and SSO

Country Director

At time of purchase

Purchase and install equipment

CO telecoms officer

CO ERT and SSO

Country Director

As soon as possible

Arrange system training for all users

CO telecoms officer

CO ERT and SSO

Country Director

At time of installation

Back to top

D. Endnotes

1. For more details, refer to CET Chapter 29 Telecommunications and IT, including a flowchart of technical communications.

2. Refer to CARE's Minimum Operating Security Standards at CET Chapter 5.1 Safety and security policy.

Back to top

Last Updated: 20/07/2009

Next: Situation reports

Previous: Response initiation