EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES
Protecting Critical Communications
Resources and guidance to help emergency response and restoration teams protect critical communications infrastructure during recovery operations.
Understanding the Impact
When Seconds Count, Don’t Move, Sever or Disconnect Cable
Exposed to the elements, cable infrastructure is at risk during every crisis or natural disaster. The actions of well-meaning response crews clearing trees, debris, downed utility poles and wires is just as damaging to cable. As responders rush in to do their important job, understanding the risks of cutting cable and the negative impact on communications and public safety is critical.
Why Communications Infrastructure Matters
Severed connections:
- Disconnect individuals from 911 and emergency communications.
- Threaten the availability of regional and national Emergency Alert
- Systems and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Reduce situational awareness for response center teams and first responders in the field by disrupting mobile wireless services.
- Endangers individuals who rely on healthcare devices and services such as wireless health monitors and Telehealth.
- Limit the ability of individuals to contact authorities or locate missing family members.
Safe Restoration & Recovery Practices During a Disaster
Always call 811 (toll free 1-800-272-3030) Before You Dig
This free service alerts local utility companies, who will send professional locators to assist with damages lines.
What You Can Do Now to Prepare
Partner with your local cable company to make rapid network recovery a priority.
- Connect with cable providers before disaster strikes
- Make cable providers stakeholders when planning disaster recovery
- Coordinate boots on the ground with cable company resources
- Think before you cut — without cable, communication and recovery efforts grind to a halt
Educational & Training Resources
Prevent Cable Cutting Flyer
Help prevent costly network outages and service interruptions. This downloadable example flyer provides awareness and best practices for avoiding accidental damage to communications cables.
Field Awareness and Coordination Guide
This quick-reference brochure helps emergency response teams, utilities, contractors and debris removal crews understand why communications infrastructure must remain protected during disaster recovery efforts.
- Learn how cutting or removing damaged cable lines can disrupt 911 services, emergency alerts, internet connectivity and other critical communications that communities rely on during emergencies.
- The guide also outlines steps to prepare for restoration efforts and safe coordination with local cable operators before disaster strikes.
How to Protect Communications Infrastructure During Storm Recovery
This video:
- Highlights of the value of cable during the pandemic.
- Explains how cutting cable disrupts important communications services.
- Shares guidance for safely handling downed cable lines during recovery efforts.
Created in partnership with NCTA, the SCTE Foundation, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications and other operators.
Why Protecting Cable Infrastructure Matters
Learn how cable networks support emergency communications, public alerts, mobile connectivity and remote health services during disasters — and why coordination between recovery teams, utilities, government agencies and cable operators is essential to keeping communities connected.
Strengthening Emergency Response Through Coordination
This video demonstrates how establishing working relationships between local and state government agencies and cable operators can enhance cooperation before, during and after incidents. These relationships will significantly strengthen responses to natural disasters and other telecommunications system outages.
Produced in partnership with leading cable system operators.
Related Operational Practices
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Number |
Title and Description |
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|---|---|---|
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Number SCTE 206 2021 |
Title and Description Cable Operator Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Operational PracticesThis operational practice outlines best practices for developing and maintaining a disaster response plan to ensure effective response and recovery from natural or man-made events that could cause regional or national service outages. Its primary objectives are to minimize mean time to repair (MTTR) and enable rapid, criteria-based response and restoration efforts. |
View |
|
Number SCTE 227 2022 |
Title and Description Cable Operator Location Risk Assessment Operational PracticeA Location Risk Assessment (LRA) identifies and evaluates financial, natural, political and human-related threats that could affect business operations in a specific geographic location, helping organizations make informed decisions about site selection, risk mitigation and business continuity planning. Using a structured four-step assessment process, the LRA prioritizes risks, estimates potential business impacts and identifies cost-effective strategies to reduce disruptions and improve service recovery. |
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|
Number SCTE 239 2025R1 |
Title and Description United States Department of Homeland Security SHARES Overview – Operational Practice for Cable Sector OperatorsSCTE’s partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s SHARES program provides the cable industry with a reliable last-resort communications network using high-frequency radio when traditional systems are unavailable during disasters or major outages. This guide outlines participation requirements and operational practices that help improve emergency response, restoration efforts and coordination with agencies such as DHS, FEMA and the National Guard. |
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|
Number SCTE 286 2023R1 |
Title and Description Operational Practices for Gaining Access to Incident AreasThis operational practice provides guidance for coordinating with local authorities and emergency agencies to ensure safe, authorized access for personnel entering and exiting disaster-affected areas during infrastructure restoration efforts. It outlines communication and access strategies, including required documentation and identification, to support the timely and secure recovery of critical communications networks. |
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|
Number SCTE 291 2024R1 |
Title and Description Broadband Provider Business Impact Analysis ProcessA Business Impact Analysis (BIA) identifies the operational effects of disruptions to facilities, technology or personnel and establishes recovery time objectives needed to restore critical business functions. The assessment supports business continuity planning by defining downtime tolerances, improving cross-functional recovery coordination and helping prioritize resources to reduce service disruptions and business risk. |
View |
Need Help Connecting With Your Local Cable Systems Operator?
SCTE can help connect restoration teams with local cable operators to support coordination for disaster recovery efforts. Establishing these relationships in advance helps improve communication, speed restoration efforts and protect critical communications infrastructure during emergencies.
For more information on how to get involved with the broadband industry’s emergency management and disaster recovery activities, please contact us below.
Cutting Cable:
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- Puts lives in danger
- Slows recovery efforts
- Increases communication downtime