Industry Canada Emergency Telecommunications - National Emergency Telecommunications Committee (NETC)

Terms of Reference

Principles

During an emergency, the ability to communicate is vital to the establishment of coordinated efforts to mitigate the aftermath of a disaster by the responding agencies. Since disasters are not selective and also tend to damage all forms of telecommunication systems, it is important to consider actions or plans which can minimize and/or compensate for the destructive effects of such events.

Emergency preparedness is most effective when the responsibilities, resources and objectives of government and industry are merged through joint planning. Such planning fosters a sense of common purpose amongst separate jurisdictional authorities and a spirit of cooperation which arises both during the planning process and in actual emergency situations. Furthermore, it creates a forum in which problems are discussed, mutually acceptable solutions are sought and agreements are reached.

Federal Departments' Responsibilities

Under the Emergency Preparedness Act, every minister accountable to the Parliament of Canada is responsible, amongst other things, for:

• identifying the civil emergency contingencies that are within or related to the Minister's area of accountability and developing a civil emergency plan therefore.

Industry Canada's Responsibilities

Industry Canada (previously known as the Telecommunications sector of the Department of Communications) cooperates with other departments, provincial authorities and the telecommunications industry to provide resources, advice and expertise with regard to such things as the:

• development of telecommunication contingency plans,
• development and implementation of emergency response systems,
• coordination of the development and establishment of emergency broadcast systems capable of warning the Canadian population of impending threats to life or property,
• planning of emergency telecommunications management courses, and
• organization of planning forums for discussion of emergency telecommunication response needs

Objectives

• Provide a forum to exchange information and discuss telecommunications support in times of emergency.
• In times of emergency and during emergency exercises, coordinate between key telecommunications undertakings in Canada and provide a body of telecommunications management expertise and networking contacts to advise the federal government.
• Provide advice to and support for Regional Emergency Telecommunication Committees (RETCs) across Canada. Monitor RETC needs and recommendations. Promote the adoption of national procedures and approaches.
• Identify telecommunication resources, including their technical parameters, and explore technical possibilities and developments that may support emergency telecommunications preparedness.
• Recommend emergency telecommunications policies to the emergency preparedness community, the management at Industry Canada (Telecommunications), and the management at telecommunications carriers and manufacturing companies.
• Promulgate national standards for the development and provision of telecommunications resources which may support emergency telecommunications plans.
• Develop and evaluate related telecommunications plans to respond to emergencies.

Membership

• The list of members will be updated soon.

Meetings

It is proposed that the National Emergency Telecommunications Committee meet annually, semi-annually or on an ad hoc basis.