Improved Oversight of Communications Capabilities Preparedness Needed for Domestic Emergencies

Our original objective was to determine whether DoD satellite communications services
and equipment were interoperable during a national emergency. During our planning
phase, we identified and focused our audit on specific equipment fielded to address
interoperability preparedness for domestic emergencies. Additionally, we clarified
terminology related to national/domestic emergencies in the objective. Our revised
objective was to determine whether DoD communications equipment was available,
maintained, staffed,
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and ready for use to ensure interoperability during a domestic
emergency. According to National Guard Bureau (NGB) officials, National Guard (NG)
personnel are the military first responders for most domestic emergencies. During our
fieldwork phase, we focused on the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability
system (JISCC), a specific type of DoD equipment fielded to, and routinely employed by
NG personnel during domestic emergencies to achieve interoperability and facilitate
information exchange. See Appendix A for a discussion of the scope, methodology, and
prior coverage.