1. Assuring Telecommunications During an Emergency
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS)
Wireless Priority Service (WPS)
Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP)

2. NYSDOH Hospital Preparedness Program 2008-2009 Deliverables
NYSDOH Hospital Preparedness Program Deliverables* Require Hospitals to obtain at least one GETS account & one WPS account by the end of the 1st Quarter (11/08/08) GETS and WPS accounts will be used during Interoperable Communications Exercise in the 4th Quarter (06/09 – 08/09) *See HPP Deliverables Sec. II Drills & Exercises, A. Interoperable Communications

3. GETS Calling Card & Wireless Priority Service
GETS is an emergency calling card service that can be used from virtually any telephone to provide priority for emergency calls
JAN SMITH
Empire Hospital
GETS is a priority calling card that gets your call through during times of network congestion.
All you need is the GETS card, no special phone or phone line required.
GETS is a per-call solution, just dial the special access number from any phone, put in your PIN, and dial the destination number – your call has priority and GETS calls are exempt for Network Management Controls used by phone companies to control network congestion
*272 + DN
WPS is an add-on feature subscribed on a per-cell phone basis to provide priority for emergency calls made from cell phones

4. GETS Provides Priority for Emergency Calls
Dial GETS Access Number from any phone ( )
GETS provides Priority across landline and cellular networks to the called landline or cell phone
Home
PBX
Office
Satellite ..
Cell
Landline Networks
Cellular Networks
Cellular Network Switch
Landline Network Switch
GETS calls to cell phones in WPS capable networks receive Priority access for the local radio channel where cell congestion can often block calls
Called Party does NOT need to have GETS or WPS
Use GETS whenever you hear a fast busy signal, “All circuits busy” announcement, or otherwise cannot complete your call

5. Making a GETS Call Dial GETS Access Number
Listen for tone, then enter your PIN (do not enter # after last digit)
Listen for voice prompt: “Please enter your destination number now.”
Enter the destination number (omit the 1 before the area code)
You will hear an announcement “You are using GETS, Verizon/AT&T/Sprint”
Network will route your call to the destination telephone number
JAN SMITH
Empire Hospital
12 Digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
User Name and Organization
GETS Access Number
Toll Free number for each GETS carrier (backup)
WPS Dialing Instructions
Toll Free User Assistance number (24x7)
Periods of silence are normal – particularly if call is queued during heavy congestion. Calls may take 30 to 60 seconds to complete

6. Cellular Network Switch Landline Network Switch
Wireless Priority Service (WPS) Provides Priority for Emergency Calls from Cell Phones
WPS provides priority access to the local radio channel where cell congestion can often block calls
WPS automatically provides Priority across landline and cellular networks to the called landline or cell phone ..
Landline Networks
Cellular Networks
Cellular Network Switch
Landline Network Switch
Radio channels
WPS calls to cell phones in WPS capable networks receive Priority access for the local radio channel where cell congestion can often block calls
Called Party does NOT need to have GETS or WPS

7. Making a WPS Call Confirm radio signal
Enter Ý272 + destination telephone number and push SEND key (example: Ý SEND )
Network will route call to the destination telephone number
Screen messages vary among carriers and mobile phone models.
While WPS calls are in queue screen message usually displays “Calling + Destination Number”
During WPS call set-up you may hear alternating periods of ringing and silence
Busy signal, announcement, or extended silence indicates call cannot complete
Periods of continuous ringing and/or silence may occur – particularly if call is queued at several points during heavy congestion. Calls may take 30 to 90 seconds to complete

8. Using GETS and WPS during an Emergency
Circumstance
Calling From
Use
Network congestion in local area
Landline*
Network congestion at called location
No or slow dial tone on landline
Don’t hang up – wait at least 30 seconds for dial tone
Cell phone or
Satellite phone
GETS call doesn’t complete
Landline or Cell phone
Try different GETS carrier via Toll Free Number
WPS call doesn’t complete
WPS + GETS call doesn’t complete
Dial Ý272 + Toll Free Number for different GETS carrier
*272 + DN
*272 + DN
*272 +
* May need to dial 9 or other code for outside line
See back of GETS card for GETS and WPS Instructions

9. Getting Started
GETS cards are recommended for each person/position that needs to make outbound calls and/or communicate when off-site should have GETS and WPS
Personnel that play a key role in Incident Command System, administration, key med and ER leadership
If dialing through a PBX:
Make sure 710 number can be dialed from all phones
Make sure users have unblocked access to outside lines (should not share trunk group with general user population)
Cannot dial toll-free numbers
Training:15-30 minutes, several test calls
Maintenance: Test GETS cards at least once per quarter

10. Budgeting for Priority Services
GETS
No charge for GETS cards
You will not normally be billed for calls. However, the NCS reserves the right to bill for all calls, especially if there has been fraud, waste, or abuse
WPS
Per phone charge not to exceed $4.50/month and $10 one-time set-up, plus no more than 75 cents per minute when WPS is invoked
Billed by the carrier on the cell phone invoice
Approximate Annual Cost
1st year: $70/user based on 8-10 test calls
2nd year: $60/user based on 8-10 test calls
*272 + DN

11. Order GETS and WPS on-line
Establish on-line account
Identify POC and Alternate
Determine GETS/WPS Users
Go On-line to Order GETS/WPS

12. Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP)
Here’s the easy to follow processes your POC will use to implement GETS, WPS, and TSP programs
You start by opening an on-line account just as you do for eBAy or Amazon.com. If you can go on line you can implement and manage GETS, WPS, and TSP
There are separate on-line systems for GETS/WPS and TSP
In addition to using the on-line system to order services, these systems provide on-going program management capabilities
Restoration Priority ensures restoration of TSP identified services before non-TSP services
Provisioning Priority facilitates priority installation of new telecommunications services in a shorter than normal interval
TSP must be set-up in advance – before an emergency or disaster occurs

13. Implementing TSP Hints: Step 1: Establish on-line account
Step 2: Identify Specific Services for TSP
Step 3: Submit TSP Service Requests thru on-line system
Step 4: Obtain TSP code for each approved service
Step 5: Order TSP thru your service provider
Step 6: Update records and procedures to reflect implementation
Hints:
Establish the on-line TSP account by going to
Download the TSP Service User Manual and TSP Service Request Form (Form 315)
Include the completed Form 315 for each service with your TSP Service Request
Here’s the easy to follow processes your POC will use to implement GETS, WPS, and TSP programs
You start by opening an on-line account just as you do for eBAy or Amazon.com. If you can go on line you can implement and manage GETS, WPS, and TSP
There are separate on-line systems for GETS/WPS and TSP
In addition to using the on-line system to order services, these systems provide on-going program management capabilities

14. Resources For more information:
For Assistance setting up on-line Accounts and ordering:
National Communications System
Regional Outreach Coordinator – Eastern Region
Dan Currie