ESF-2

Under ORS 401, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) is tasked with coordinating the state’s response to emergencies. ODEM maintains the state’s Emergency Coordination Center, which is organized by emergency support functions (ESFs). ESFs are used as the primary coordinating structure for building, sustaining, and delivering response core capabilities. Oregon has organized ESFs into eighteen functional areas. One of the eighteen functional areas is Communications (ESF-2). The Statewide Interoperability Program and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) co-lead the ESF-2 role. ESF-2 supports the restoration of communications infrastructure, coordinates communications support to response efforts, facilitates information delivery to emergency management decision-makers, and assists in stabilizing and reestablishing communication systems and applications during incidents.

The primary focus of ESF-2 is the stabilization and maintenance of components found within the FEMA Communications Lifeline construct.

ESF-2 is supported by many partner state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and members of the private sector. Our responsibilities as part of the ESF-2 function include:  

• Coordinate emergency communications, which involves providing and maintaining operable and interoperable voice and data communications in an incident area. 
• Support the temporary re-establishment of basic public safety communications infrastructure and assist with the initial restoration of commercial telecommunications infrastructure.
• Coordinate the provision of priority and other telecommunications services at incident support facilities. 
• Coordinate services to aid response and short-term recovery operations to ensure a smooth transition to long-term recovery efforts. 
• Facilitate the delivery of mission-critical information to maintain situational awareness for emergency management decision-makers and support elements. 
• Develop communications restoration priorities during disasters. 
• Coordinate and deconflict incident radio frequencies in disaster event areas of operation.