Disaster Communications Coordination and Preparedness Act

This bill seeks to enhance the awareness and coordination of federal communications resources during disasters and emergencies. It mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to undertake a comprehensive review of its procedures for providing notices regarding the activation and deactivation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). This review, to be completed within 180 days, aims to improve the usability of these notices for communications providers and emergency management authorities.

Furthermore, the bill requires the FCC to evaluate the feasibility of enhancing its public safety liaison functions within 18 months, potentially leveraging its 24-hour operations center. This enhancement would establish a clear point of entry for state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials seeking communications status information and facilitate coordination with service providers. Finally, the FCC must develop and publicly release plain-language awareness materials within one year, explaining DIRS, the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative, and available FCC resources to support emergency communications for public safety entities. These materials will help ensure better understanding and utilization of critical federal communication mechanisms during crises.