Focus

1. Identify means for ensuring or enabling rapid deployment of interoperable communications in the wake of an event like Hurricane Katrina that can be implemented in the short term;
2. Identify any coordination that needs to occur among public safety entities to facilitate implementation of such a system in the wake of a disaster;
3. Review Hurricane Katrina's impact on the Gulf Coasts Region's 911 and E-911 systems;
4. Review the impact of public safety answering points (PSAPs) and the procedures used to re-route emergency calls;
5. Examine whether and how the communications network could have provided greater 911 connectivity for private citizens; and
6. Review of the adequacy of emergency communications to the public before, during and after the hurricane, and the best ways to alert and inform the public about emergencies in the future.