On June 4, 2024, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (the “Bureau”) released a Public Notice, announcing the procedures for states to request activation of the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (“MDRI”). States can request to activate MDRI by emailing [email protected]. The request must demonstrate that they have activated their Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”), activated mutual aid, or proclaimed a state of emergency. It must also include a description of the event triggering the emergency; the geographic areas requested, including specific counties if possible; and a point of contact with email and cell phone information. If granted, the Bureau will announce the MDRI activation in a Public Notice, which will also state the Counties for which the MDRI activation applies.
As a reminder, MDRI may be activated if any of the following apply:
- An authorized entity activates Emergency Support Function 2 (“ESF-2”);
- The FCC activates the Disaster Information Reporting System (“DIRS”); or
- The Chief of the Bureau issues a Public Notice activating MDRI in response to a state request where the state has activated its state EOC, activated mutual aid, or proclaimed a local state of emergency.
Facilities-based mobile wireless providers are required to comply with MDRI rules as of May 1, 2024. Accordingly, providers operating in the geographic areas where the MDRI is activated must report the timing, duration, and effectiveness of their implementation to the Commission within 60 days of the Bureau’s release of a Public Notice announcing that such reports must be filed.
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