SIGNAL

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42ID DCC Professional DevelopmentPublic
Communications Priority/Repair

• GETS/WPS/TSP
• MAJ Krug
• 24 MAY 11

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Government Emergency Telecommunications Service
(GETS)

OVERCOMING WIRELINECONGESTION IN EMERGENCIES
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The Fundamental IssueNetwork Congestion

• Congestion,at one of many points, can block a
  call!

ATT MCI SPRINT
Local Exchange Networks
Local Exchange Networks
Mobile Switch
Mobile
Switch
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service
addresses wireline congestion
Wireless Priority Service addresses wireless
congestion at
call origination
and call termination
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The GETS Calling Card
Calling cards are in widespread use and easily
understood by the NS/EP User, simplifying GETS
usage
0123 4567 8910
GETS priority is invoked call-by-call
Disaster Response Team 1
US CITY EOC

GETS is a "ubiquitous" service in the Public
Switched Telephone Networkif you can get a DIAL
TONE, you can make a GETS call
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GETS Overview
..

• Dial GETS Access
• Number from any phone

2. Call is routed to a GETS Carrier. When
prompted, dial PIN and Destination Number
3. Call is routed to Destination Number
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How GETS Works
National Security/Emergency Preparedness
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Making a GETS Call
GETS Access Number

1. Dial GETS Access Number
2. Listen for tone, then dial your PIN (do not dial
   after last digit)
3. Listen for voice prompt please enter your
   destination number now
4. Dial the destination number (omit the 1 before
   the area code)
5. You will hear you are using GETS,
   ATT/MCI/Sprint
6. Call will route to the destination telephone
   number

Toll Free number for each GETS carrier (backup)
Toll Free User Assistance number (24x7)
12 Digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
User Name and Organization
Periods of silence are normal particularly if
call is queued during heavy congestion. Calls
may take several minutes.
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Power of GETS

• Utilizes robustness of the public switched
  network
• 6 Ways to get to long distance networks rather
  than 2
• Priority over public calls in signaling network
• Exemption from Network Management Controls
• Enhanced routing alternatives in public networks
• Priority treatment in public networks
• Queuing for available circuits during access and
  egress, including queuing for circuits to Private
  Branch Exchanges (PBX) during egress
• GETS enhancements work for local and long
  distance calls

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GETS Examples

• During 9/11 event 10,000 GETS calls attempted
  into/out of/within New York City and Washington
  area with 95 completion rate
• GETS not just for priority on Long Distance Calls
• GETS extremely useful with local congestion or
  damage
• Extensive use for calls between end offices
  within NYC during 9/11 when local trunks damaged
  but long distance trunks still operational
• Bridge with comm links swept away in Oregon
  floods GETS connected shorelines via long
  distance back door
• Nisqually Earthquake GETS calls within area
  exempt from network management controls
• During Blackout 8/14-15 1231 GETS calls into/out
  of/within affected areas with 90 success rate

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Who is Authorized to Use GETS
Organizations that support one or more of the
following five National Security / Emergency
Preparedness (NS/EP) mission areas, qualify for
NCS sponsorship to become a GETS user

• National Security Leadership
• National Security Posture and US Population
  Attack Warning
• Public Health, Safety, and Maintenance of Law and
  Order
• Public Welfare and Maintenance of National
  Economic Posture
• Disaster Recovery

Non-Federal users require NCS member sponsorship
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GETS Website gets.ncs.gov
Access the NCS GETS Homepage for information on
GETS Use easy to follow process to sign up for
GETS Download GETS documentation and training
tools
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GETS Costs

• NCS pays for calls by Federal agencies up to an
  annual ceiling
• NCS cannot pay for non-Federal calls
• Non-Federal organizations establish an account
  through NCS to pay for calls
• GETS calls cost 7.5-10 per minute, depending on
  carrier
• Operator assisted and international calls are
  higher
• Test calls to 703-818-3924 not billed
• NCS reserves right to bill for all calls if fraud
  or abuse is detected

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Familiarization and Testing

• Encourage GETS cards be distributed to all
  personnel who have a need for emergency
  communication
• Keep some in Stockpile for unanticipated needs
  (10)
• Encourage GETS card holders to use their card to
  become familiar with how to use it while in a
  non-stressed non-emergency situation
• Use it from home, office, stores, hotels, etc.,
  and on cellular networks anywhere you might be
  in an emergency
• PBX/Centrex/Payphones/Cellular may not recognize
  710 area code we need to get them fixed before
  an emergency occurs
• Report problems to GETS User Assistance
  1-800-818-GETS or (703-818-GETS)
• Use toll-free or CAC (1010xxx) numbers if
  710-NCS-GETS fails
• Incorporate GETS into your exercise scenarios

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How Do You Order GETS?

• If your organization already participates in
  GETS, your Point of Contact (POC) applies for
  GETS for all users within the organization
• To sign up a new organization
• Go to gets.ncs.gov to sign up on-line, or
• Call 866-NCS-CALL, then choose option 1
• Upon approval, GETS cards are mailed to the POC
  within about a week
• The easiest thing to do is email a list of your
  needs. You only need 11 new accounts to use this
  method of adding lines/cards. You will email a
  spreadsheet with your needs (minimum 11
  personnel) to the NCS Priority Service email
  address

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For More Information
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Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP)

• Used for land-lines
• Those lines that are identified are given
  priority
• Priority for phone restoration as well
• http//tsp.ncs.gov
• Circuits under TSP get revalidated in under ½
  hour
• TSP covers data lines as well

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Wireless Priority Service (WPS)

• You can use your GETS card for a cell phone, but
  it is better to register your cell phone in WPS
• WPS gives your cell phone priority
• Dial 272 170-NCS-GETS
• To get access
• http//wps.ncs.gov
• 1-866-NCS-CALL
• ACU (in JISCC) has NEXTEL commercials, can get
  cables from Raytheon for cell phones

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NYS Contact

• MAJ Krug is registering to be the POC for the 42d
  ID
• SFC Bicknese
• Kevin Vilardo
• Kevin.vilardo_at_ng.army.mil
• 518-786-4695
• This is his civilian job, but he is a Guard LT