New Hampshire Division of Emergency Services and Communications

New Hampshire Division of Emergency Services and Communications
Agency name	New Hampshire Division of Emergency Services and Communications
Formed	1951
Jurisdiction	New Hampshire
Headquarters	Concord, New Hampshire
Chief name	Director
Parent agency	New Hampshire Department of Safety

New Hampshire Division of Emergency Services and Communications is the state-level agency responsible for coordinating emergency medical services and public safety communications across New Hampshire, operating under the New Hampshire Department of Safety and interacting with local, regional, and federal partners such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Guard (United States), and United States Department of Health and Human Services. The Division provides interoperable radio systems, 911 call-taking standards, disaster planning, and training programs that align with national frameworks including the National Incident Management System and standards from the Federal Communications Commission and National Emergency Number Association.

History

The agency evolved from mid-20th-century civil defense and public health service efforts during the Cold War era, reflecting national trends set by the Civil Defense Act of 1950 and later federal reorganizations like the establishment of FEMA in 1979. During the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and subsequent national reviews, the Division expanded technical capabilities and mutual aid arrangements similar to reforms pursued by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Vermont Emergency Management. Legislative changes in the New Hampshire General Court and administrative reforms within the New Hampshire Department of Safety shaped its mandate for statewide 911 consolidation and interoperability initiatives.

Organization and Structure

The Division is organized into bureaus mirroring common models used by agencies such as the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the Texas Division of Emergency Management, including units for Emergency Medical Services, Communications, Preparedness, and Recovery. It reports to the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Safety and coordinates with county administrations like the Grafton County, Rockingham County, and Hillsborough County emergency management offices. Leadership interacts with professional associations such as the National Association of State EMS Officials, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International.

Programs and Services

The Division administers statewide programs including statewide 911 program management, Emergency Medical Services licensing and oversight, statewide radio infrastructure similar to Project 25 initiatives, and public alerting systems comparable to Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. It runs grant programs tied to the Stafford Act and state appropriations, supports mass casualty planning influenced by Department of Health and Human Services guidance, and maintains registries and databases used by partners like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during public health incidents. Service lines mirror best practices found in agencies such as the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Communications and Technology

The Division manages radio systems, microwave backbones, and Next Generation 911 transition projects consistent with recommendations from the Federal Communications Commission and standards from Project 25 and the National Information Standards Organization. Interoperability projects coordinate with the Northern New England Public Safety Wireless Communications District, regional dispatch centers, and the United States Coast Guard for maritime communications. Cybersecurity and resilience efforts reference frameworks from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and coordination with the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency during incidents affecting telecommunications infrastructure.

Training and Certification

Certification programs for EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and incident management staff align with curricula from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, FEMA National Academy, and state educational partners such as the University of New Hampshire. The Division facilitates exercises modeled on the National Exercise Program and collaborates with institutions like Keene State College and Nashua Community College to deliver continuing education, simulation drills, and credentialing that meet standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services and the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Disaster Response and Emergency Management

In major events the Division activates the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response among municipal emergency management directors, New Hampshire National Guard, the Red Cross, and federal agencies including FEMA Region I and the Environmental Protection Agency. Response plans incorporate lessons from regional incidents such as Northeast blackout of 2003 and 2011 New England tornado outbreak, and include logistics operations, volunteer management with organizations like Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, and continuity planning referencing the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Partnerships and Funding

The Division secures funding through state appropriations from the New Hampshire Legislature, federal grants from FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services, and cooperative agreements with interstate entities like the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Partnerships extend to local fire departments such as Manchester Fire Department, county emergency management offices, healthcare systems including Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and private sector vendors for radios and software who follow procurement standards aligned with the General Services Administration and state purchasing statutes.

Category:Emergency services in New Hampshire Category:State agencies of New Hampshire Category:Public safety communications in the United States