Need%20for%20Federal%20Funding%20of%20TSP

1
Need for Federal Funding of TSP

• APCO Presentation

2
TSP is essential for PSAPs and emergency
operations centers

• PSAPs and EOCs cannot function without reliable
  communications services
• During disasters/attacks communications outages
  for PSAPs and EOCs must be minimized
• TSP assures priority restoration of
  communications services

3
TSP coverage for emergency community is deficient

• In 20 states not a single state or local
  emergency center has TSP coverage
• In 5 more states fewer than 10 emergency circuits
  are covered
• fewer than 10 of PSAPs have coverage

4
This represents a serious homeland security
vulnerability

• PSAPs provide the key link between citizens and
  authorities during disasters.
• EOCs provide key link between emergency managers
  and emergency assets and response
• Emergency response and is coordinated from these
  centers
• Reliable communications to PSAPs and EOCs is
  critical to effective emergency response.
• Effective emergency response is fundamental to
  the nations homeland security

5
Why so few PSAPs and EOCs have TSP coverage

• Lack of awareness
• Lack of funds

6
TSP costs often prevent coverage

• TSP prices vary by state and by service provider
• Start up costs range from 36 to 345 per
  circuit, average of 100
• Emergency centers often require large quantities
  of communications circuits TSP start-up costs
  can be prohibitive.

7
Start-up cost for comprehensive national coverage

• Approximately 80,000 circuits should be covered
• Only 8,000 are coverage today
• 72,000 require coverage
• At 100 per circuit, 7.2 million would provide
  nation-wide coverage.

8
Special TSP grant set-aside is needed

• TSP is on approved DHS list for grants, but
• Under standard DHS State Formula Grants process,
  TSP coverage must compete with all other state
  and local homeland security costs.
• Because the need for homeland security funds
  exceeds the grants, TSP coverage from standard
  grants will leave many areas of the nation
  without TSP coverage.

9
Advantages of special grant set-asides for TSP
coverage

• Special set-aside can ensure comprehensive
  nationwide coverageeliminate key homeland
  security vulnerability
• Special set-aside will ensure cost control
• ensure funds will be spent for this purpose
• ensure reasonable level of coverage by all
  emergency centers

10
Comprehensive grant management plan is needed to

• ensure ubiquitous application to PSAPs and EOCs
  across the nation
• all appropriate infrastructure is covered
• Emergency community is properly educated and
  informed
• Ongoing maintenance of system is assured
• DHS and public safety collaborate on addressing
  need