Policy Council: Is there anything else you’d like to add on the topic of emergency preparedness?
Mr. Guttman-McCabe: I’d just like to reiterate how the wireless industry has learned many lessons in the wake of national emergencies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. As a result, companies in the wireless industry are continually assessing and refining their capabilities to respond to all types of emergencies. The reality is that no one knows when or where the next disaster might strike, and any area of the country could be challenged. We have to be prepared at all times—it’s an ongoing process that will never be completely finished. But, as we work together in partnership with Congress, the FCC, DHS, and our friends in the public safety community to pass legislation such as the WARN Act and DTV, we are taking active steps in the right direction toward interoperability and a national Emergency Alert System. CTIA believes that by focusing on the future, making necessary changes, and remaining flexible in the face of complicated situations, responses to future disasters can be faster and more efficient.
