Jimmy Patronis Presses FCC On Wireless Service After Hurricanes

Underwhelmed by how telecommunications companies handled the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, Florida state CFO Jimmy Patronis, who is based out of Panama City, continued to call on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “recommend best practices to pre-position equipment so companies are prepared to make repairs quickly after a hurricane passes.”

Back in October, Patronis noted he “was troubled by how catastrophic the failure of wireless communications has been in this storm” and wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on the matter. With the FCC recently releasing a report on its findings, Patronis continued his efforts.

“The FCC report released outlines what the Panhandle already knew: when communications systems fail, first responders and people are cut off. I spoke with Chairman Pai after the storm and asked for industry wide measures to prevent downed communications for long periods of time,” Patronis said on Thursday.

“Having dealt with Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, Irma and now Michael over the past nearly three years, we must better coordinate at every level—not just local, state, and federal government, but private and public entities as well,” Patronis added. “This report outlines exactly what I called for in October: wireless carriers  must pre-position equipment to help save lives and aid first responders in recovery efforts. Additionally, by opening roaming agreements in the aftermath of a disaster, residents will be able to call for help and connect with their loved ones. Effective communication is necessary to save lives, and I’m calling on all telecoms carriers to step up and improve recovery response, redundancies, and forward thinking strategies. It’s time disaster resiliency extends to wireless carriers.”

Back in October, Patronis wrote Pai in depth about communications problems in the Panhandle after Hurricane Michael hit.

“I’ve been on the ground in the Panhandle and have witnessed the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael. Entire communities have been wiped off the map. As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal, and a life-long resident of the Panhandle, I am troubled by how catastrophic the failure of wireless communications have been in this storm. While Florida recovers and rebuilds, we would be remiss if this rebuilding process did not include fundamentally changing the way telecommunications companies prepare and respond to major disasters,” Patronis wrote Pai. “In 2017, there were 17 percent fewer wireline customers than in 2016. We have quickly become a wireless-only society, so it’s incredibly important that carriers get disaster preparedness and resiliency right. Wireless communication has rapidly changed the way we connect with one another, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should ensure its rules keep on pace with the evolution of technology and how it can best serve the public.

“After more than a week of wireless service failures in Hurricane Michael’s hardest hit areas, I urge you to recommend industry-wide measures that would help prevent downed telecommunications for extended periods of time. FCC recommendations on best practices to pre-position equipment so companies are prepared to come in and make repairs quickly after a hurricane passes, for example, could ultimately save lives by getting communications back up to aid first responder search and rescue operations,” Patronis added.

“Additionally, FCC action to set industry-wide standards for carriers to open their roaming agreements after a disaster is declared would help expedite response efforts and make it easier for residents to call for help,” Patronis continued. “I know the Federal Communications Commission is laser-focused on ensuring consumers are at the forefront of their decision making and I believe a deep dive into these two areas would best serve telecommunications customers in future disasters. I previously served on the Public Service Commission (PSC) and understand how important it is to have a robust disaster plan. I welcome the opportunity to discuss these, and any other, options further with you. I look forward to working on solutions so that no community will have to endure what the Panhandle has experienced this past week.”

Kevin Derby can be reached at Kevin.Derby@floridadaily.com