Emergency Management Modernization Program

The Emergency Management Modernization Program (EM2P) is a key initiative within the Army's Other Procurement, Army (OPA) budget, specifically under Communications and Electronics Equipment. The program's primary objective is to modernize emergency management capabilities across Army installations, supporting Soldiers, their families, civilians, and contractors. EM2P is designed to enhance situational awareness, decrease response times, and enable rapid warning and notification during active incidents. This modernization effort is critical for ensuring the safety and security of military communities and aligns with the Army's strategic objectives for FY 2030 and FY 2040.

EM2P encompasses the procurement and fielding of advanced emergency management technologies, including Next Generation 911 (NG-911), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and Enterprise Mass Warning and Notification (EMWN) systems. The program supports the acquisition of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Non-developmental Items (NDI) to implement NG-911 infrastructure and modernize Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) at Army installations worldwide. NG-911 is a digital, IP-based system that replaces legacy analog 911 systems, allowing for seamless transmission of voice, video, data, and text messages from the public to emergency networks. This upgrade is mandated by federal laws such as Public Law 112-96, Kari's Law Act of 2017, and Ray Baum's Act of 2018, which require direct dialing of 911 and automatic identification of caller location and number.

The NG-911 Infrastructure and PSAP Modernization component of EM2P aims to equip Army installations with state-of-the-art call handling and routing equipment, leveraging Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and Location Information Services (LIS) data. These capabilities enable rapid identification of caller locations and efficient resource allocation for emergency response. The Army operates 197 installations globally, with 38 Tier I PSAPs where 911 calls are processed directly. The transition to NG-911 not only involves hardware and software upgrades but also requires coordination among emergency communication entities, public safety agencies, and legislative bodies to ensure uninterrupted and compliant services.

The Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is another integral part of the program, serving as the central hub for dispatching law enforcement, fire, and medical services. CAD systems assist dispatchers and first responders in logging, tracking, and assigning calls for service, utilizing GIS/LIS technology to quickly deploy the nearest responders to critical incidents. CAD is designed to interoperate with existing Army Force Protection systems, EMWN technologies, and authoritative law enforcement data sources, as well as mutual aid partner emergency communications systems. This interoperability is essential for maintaining comprehensive records and facilitating rapid, coordinated responses to emergencies.

The Enterprise Mass Warning and Notification (EMWN) system provides network-centric, mission-critical command and control capabilities for disseminating emergency alerts. EMWN consists of two subsystems: GOVT Alert!, a cloud-based Government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) solution for timely hazard notifications, and Giant Voice, a COTS system for outdoor mass notifications at DoD installations. These systems enable the Army to produce, track, and disseminate alerts through various channels, including network alerts, beacons, and telephone notifications. This ensures at-risk military communities receive timely information during emergencies.

All EM2P components are required to function as an enterprise solution, interoperable with the Base Emergency Communications System (BECS), which includes Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and the First Responder Broadband Network (FRBN). The program's funding supports the procurement of hardware and software, such as towers, speakers, switches, routers, and relays, along with necessary cybersecurity measures to ensure secure and reliable digital communications. This modernization effort is justified by the need to comply with federal mandates and to optimize emergency management operations for military and civilian personnel.