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Tools for UW Emergency Responders
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Submitted by tomnash on Wed, 2009-03-25 08:57
Service Description:
In the event of a disaster or other large-scale event, there are a number of communication products and services that can be used by UW staff to help in response and recovery activities. These include:
Priority Communications: Enhanced access to telephone service using the federal Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) and/or Wireless Priority Service (WPS) programs
Radios for Emergency Responders: Two-way radios on public safety system for emergency response departments
Special Event Mobile Operations Center (SEMOC): A mobile operations and communications vehicle to augment disaster response or to provide field support
How to Order:
Email: help@uw.edu
Phone: 206-221-5000
Eligibility:
UW academic units, UW administrative units
Service Options:
Priority Communications
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) provides personnel a high probability of completion for their phone calls (i.e., land line) when normal calling methods are unsuccessful. It is designed for periods of severe network congestion or disruption. Users receive a GETS calling card to access the service. This card provides access phone numbers, Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), and simple dialing instructions.
Wireless Priority Service (WPS) is a method of improving connection capabilities for a limited number of authorized cell phone users. In the event of congestion in the wireless network, an emergency call using WPS will wait in queue for the next available channel.
UW Technology serves as the UW point of contact for these programs, and will order and help implement them for UW units.
Radios for Emergency Responders
This pool of 16, 800 Mhz, two-way radios are part of the Seattle Area Public Safety Radio System and use the UW emergency radio channels. They are available for emergency training drills.
Special Event Mobile Operations Center (SEMOC)
This retrofitted bus is capable of providing communications and operational support for emergencies and events in the field or as an enhancement to established facilities.
Availability:
Hours available: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Price:
Priority Communications
For Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS):
The only charge is for usage when making calls using a GETS card. GETS calls are billed at a rate of 7¢ to 10¢ per minute for calls within the United States and its territories, Canada, and most of the Caribbean. International calls are billed at commercial rates.
For Wireless Priority Service (WPS):
WPS features are an add-on cost to a basic cell phone subscription. Each carrier may set its WPS fees up to a cap set by the federal government. The one-time activation charge is capped at $10 per phone and a monthly service charge is capped at $4.50. Users invoke WPS by dialing *272, followed by the destination phone number. An airtime rate of up to 75 cents per minute is charged for the service. WPS charges are payable directly to the cellular provider as a component of the basic service plan. If the cellular provider charges for WPS calls, the *272 WPS call minutes are not deducted from the minute allowances of the user’s basic subscription. If the cellular provider does not charge a usage fee for WPS calls, the provider may charge WPS usage minutes against your applicable commercial plan.
Radios for Emergency Responders
No charge
Special Event Mobile Operations Center (SEMOC)
No charge
Additional Information:
Priority Communications
For Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS):
http://gets.ncs.gov/
For Wireless Priority Service (WPS):
http://wps.ncs.gov/
Service Level Description:
These products and services are designed to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
UW Technology will acknowledge service requests within two (2) business days.
Support Information:
UW Technology Services
Technology Business Continuity
Email: tech-tbc@uw.edu
Phone: 206-897-3727
Contact for More Information:
Email help@uw.edu or call 206-221-5000.