# Presentation: 702445

## Lt Col Joanne Sechrest
Mgr, One-Stop Shop Services
 DHS/IAIP, National Communications System

joanne.sechrest@dhs.gov
703.607.4960
http://www.ncs.gov

**Mgr, One-Stop Shop Services**
** ****DHS/IAIP, National Communications System**
**joanne.sechrest@dhs.gov**
**703.607.4960**
**http://www.ncs.gov**

**Government Emergency Telecommunications Service**
**(GETS)**

## Overview
Operational Concept
Criteria
Cost
Testing
How to Order
Contact Information

- Overview
- Operational Concept
- Criteria
- Cost
- Testing
- How to Order
- Contact Information

**Outline**

## GETS:  Network Congestion

*Congestion,**at *_*many*_* points, can block a call !*

**AT&T **
**MCI**
**SPRINT**

**Local Exchange**
**Networks**

**Government Emergency Telecommunications Service *****addresses ******wireline ******congestion***

**Local Exchange**
**Networks**

## GETS Overview

**GETS Overview**

## The GETS Calling Card

**ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER****	**

**   **

**CA-S-GOVERNOR**

**The GETS Calling Card**

**GETS priority is invoked**
**“****call-by-call”**

***Calling cards are in widespread use and easily understood by the NS/EP User, simplifying GETS usage***

***GETS is a "***_***ubiquitous***_***" service in the Public Switched Telephone Network...if you can get a DIAL TONE, you can make a GETS call***

## Why The PublicSwitched Network (PSN)?

- 95% of government telecommunications needs met by PSN
- > $300B Infrastructure; > 150M Access Lines; > 25K Switches
- GETS enhancements are deployed in the 3 major Interexchange Carriers and in the major Local Exchange Carriers across the US.
- GETS local enhancements are available from over 85% of the access lines connecting to the public switched network
- PSN Is _Ubiquitous, Robust, And Flexible_

## Operational Concept

## GETS Priority Features and Enhanced Routing

**AT**

- IXC AT&T

- IXC  MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

**EO**

**AT**

- IXC AT&T

- IXC MCI

- IXC Sprint

- IXC OTHER

**EO**

***Interexchange Carriers***

**GETS Priority Features and Enhanced Routing**

## Power of GETS

- Utilizes robustness of the public switched network
- 6 Ways to get to long distance networks rather than 2
- Priority over public calls in signaling network
- Exemption from Network Management Controls
- Enhanced routing alternatives in public networks
- Queuing for available circuits during access and egress, including queuing for circuits to Private Branch Exchanges during egress
- GETS power works for LOCAL and Long Distance
- If you have dial tone, GETS will typically get you through!

## 9/11: 
 10,000 GETS calls attempted into/out of/within NYC and DC area with 95% completion rate 
Used for calls between end offices when local trunks damaged but long distance trunks still operational
Oregon Floods:  GETS connected shorelines via long distance back door
Nisqually Earthquake:  GETS calls within area exempt from network management controls
Aug 03 NE Blackout:  1,231 GETS calls into/out of/within affected areas with 90% + success rate

-  10,000 GETS calls attempted into/out of/within NYC and DC area with 95% completion rate
- Used for calls between end offices when local trunks damaged but long distance trunks still operational
- Oregon Floods:  GETS connected shorelines via long distance back door
- Nisqually Earthquake:  GETS calls within area exempt from network management controls
- Aug 03 NE Blackout:  1,231 GETS calls into/out of/within affected areas with 90% + success rate

**GETS Examples**

## Who is Eligible to use GETS?

- Organizations that support one or more of the following five National Security / Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) mission areas, qualify for OMNCS sponsorship to become a GETS user:

***Non-Federal users require NCS member sponsorship***

**Who is Eligible to use GETS?**

- National Security Leadership
- National Security Posture and US Population Attack Warning
- Public Health, Safety, and Maintenance of Law and Order
- Public Welfare and Maintenance of National Economic Posture
- Disaster Recovery

## GETS Costs

- NCS pays for all Federal calls up to annual ceiling--departments billed for excess
- GETS calls generally cost 15 cents per minute
-  Operator assisted and International higher
- NCS cannot pay for Non-Federal calls
-  Non-Federal Organizations establish an “account” with DITCO at Scott AFB
- Test calls to 703 818-3924 not billed

## Familiarization and Testing

- Encourage GETS cards distribution
- Keep 10% in stockpile for unanticipated needs
- Encourage GETS card holders test their cards
- Use it from home, office, hotels, etc. and on cell networks – places you might be in an emergency
- PBX/Centrex/Payphones/Cellular may not have 710 open – we need to fix before an emergency
- Report problems to 1-800-818-GETS
- Utilize GETS 800/888 access numbers as fall back
- Incorporate GETS in exercise scenarios

## Toll-free Numbers

- 8XX Numbers CANNOT be used as destination numbers in GETS
- In major emergencies, such as 9/11, 8XX number databases overload and fail
- Strongly recommend obtaining regular telephone numbers for 8XX numbers before an emergency occurs

## How Do You Order GETS?

- Your organization Point of Contact (POC) applies for GETS for all users within your organization
- Easy on-line registration
- Upon approval, GETS cards and instructions mailed to POC within 3-5 days
- No established POC? or don’t know your POC – contact the NCS

## NCS Contact Information 

_**TELEPHONE:**_
**Information/Sign-Up**
** ****1-866 NCS-CALL  (Option 1 for GETS)**
**Trouble Reporting (24x7) **
** ****1-800-NCS-GETS**

_**E-MAIL:**_
**gets@ncs.gov**

_**WEBSITE:**_
**http://gets.ncs.gov**

_**MAILING ADDRESS**_**:**
**OMNCS**
**701 South Court House Road**
**Arlington, VA  22204-2198**