The FCC adopted a Report and Order to modernize the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), which collects and reports communications outage information before, during, and after emergencies. Manual DIRS filers will be able to submit a single, streamlined form instead of multiple worksheets and use a “one-click” option to indicate there is no change from the previous day’s report. The Order also eliminates the requirement for service providers to file a final report within 24 hours of DIRS’ deactivation and exempts non-facilities-based providers from DIRS reporting.
The new rules direct the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to improve the ability of filers to voluntarily submit geographic information about service areas and the locations of facilities that are out of service. The Order also establishes mandatory DIRS reporting for public safety voice and broadband network operators on the status of public safety network infrastructure and public safety customer impact.
