National Emergency Communications Plan

Recognizing the need for an overarching emergency communications strategy to address these shortfalls, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications—re-designated in 2018 as the Emergency Communications Division within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—to develop and periodically update the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). Title XVIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 United States Code 101 et seq.), as amended, calls for DHS to develop the NECP in coordination with stakeholders from all levels of government and the private sector. DHS previously updated the plan in 2014. This publication is the second update.

DHS worked with stakeholders from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, public safety associations, and the private sector to develop the NECP—a strategic plan that establishes a national vision for the future state of emergency communications: To enable the Nation’s emergency response community to communicate and share information securely across communications technologies in real time, including all levels of government, jurisdictions, disciplines, organizations, and citizens impacted by any threats or hazards event.