Communication and Information Systems

Presenter: David Mizzen

Applied Research Associates

NIST Disaster

Resilience 

Framework
Chapter Goals

• Provide guidance to:

1. Understand potential vulnerabilities/damage to 

infrastructure observed in the past

2. Provide example performance goals to be 

developed by community to identify resilience 

gaps and prioritize changes

3. Provide guidance to close the resilience gaps 

(mitigate failures and/or recovery plans)
Example Dependencies

• Access, Fuel, Security

• Power/Energy

– External electric power for charging cell phones

– Air conditioning in Central Offices to cool equipment

• Transportation

– needed to make repairs

• Water

– Cooling systems

– Cannot enter Central Offices 

without functioning water

Photo Provided by: Kentucky 

Public Services Commission
Overview of Infrastructure

• Landline Telephone Systems

– Central Offices

– Distribution Lines

– Digital Loop Carrier Remote Terminals (DLC RTs)

– CATV Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

• Internet Systems

– Internet Exchange Points (IXP)

– Backbone connecting “network of networks”

• Cellular/Mobile Systems

– Cell towers, external power
Central Office Performance 

Comparison

• City of New York Completed Study in 2013

– Compared performance and recovery of 2 Central 

Offices during Hurricane Sandy

• 140 West Street

– Hardened after WTC 

Building 7 collapsed 

onto it on 9/11

• 104 Broad Street 

– ~1 mile away from 

140 West 

Photo from Google Maps
Performance of Central Offices

Strategies/Results 140 West Street 104 Broad Street

Building Structure • Hardened after 9/11/2001 • Not hardened

Critical Equipment • Elevated electrical 

switchgear, standby power 

• Electrical switchgear, 

standby power in 

basement

Wires • Copper encased in plastic 

casing

• Fiber optic cable also used

• Encased in lead casing

Flood Protection • Pumps • N/A

Operational (min) <24 hours 11 Days

Needs to become 

Operational

• Temporary fuel tanks • Replacement generators, 

switchgear, HVAC
Example Performance Goals

Example Performance Goals 

Established by Community

Example Anticipated 

Performance Established 

by Community

Resilience 

Gaps
Strategies for Implementing 

Community Resilience Plans

• Raise critical/electrical equipment

• Watertight doors

– Performed well in 2011 Japan 

earthquake & tsunami

• Adequately mount critical 

equipment

• Provide adequate standby power

• Eliminate single points of failure

• Cell on Light Truck (COLT)

– Restored service <24 hours at 

hospital after Joplin 2011 tornado

Photo Provided by: 

Alexis Kwasinski
Services for Critical Facilities 

• Government Emergency Telecommunication 

Service (GETS)

– Prioritized landline service for users supporting national 

security and emergency preparedness/response after 

disaster event

• Wireless Priority Service (WPS)

– Prioritizes cell phone service for users supporting 

national security and emergency 

preparedness/response after disaster event

• Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP)

– Prioritizes participants when they need additional lines 

or service restoration (not just after disasters)
Standby Power Considerations

• Placement and Protection

• Permanent or Temporary

– Permanent can be costly, 

require maintenance & testing

– Temporary has logistical 

challenges 

• Fuel, natural gas, other?

– Fuel can be scare after event

– Natural gas often shutdown 

prior to events to avoid fire, 

explosion

All Photos on Slide Provided by: 

Alexis Kwasinski
Breakout Groups

• Is the approach used in the framework helpful to 

communities/service providers for resilience 

planning and implementation?

– How would you use the approach?

– Would you integrate it with existing plans?

• What are the gaps in the approach and content?

• How will integrating the framework impact your 

disaster recovery plans? Day-to-day operations?