The Recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks (FCC EB Docket 06-119) recommended the establishment of communications worker credentials to identify authorized personnel responsible for the repair and maintenance of critical systems. Among those recommendations is the establishment of: (1) Credentialing requirements and procedures for communications workers and repair personnel; (2) Development and inclusion in state Emergency Preparedness Plans of post disaster coordination areas for communications infrastructure provider personnel and equipment; (3) Identification and prioritization of key communications infrastructure; and, (4) Facilitation of utility maintenance and commercial power restoration.

The proposed research will synthesize the progress made in meeting these broad goals through a review of available state plans, publications, and, operating procedures. Product:   A Guide for Developing Communications Worker Credentialing Criteria

STATUS: Completed. TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 232: Communications Worker Credentialing Requirements focuses on credentialing requirements needed for communications workers to physically access disaster-impacted areas to restore damaged wireline telecommunication networks.

Under the advice of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) panel that reviewed the impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks, the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act designated cable companies and other telecommunications services as “essential service providers” for emergency management. Credentialing is a system by which identification cards or other tokens are used to authenticate a person and verify their expertise and qualifications for the purpose of access.