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Preparing Backup Communications for the 2024 Eclipse
On April 8, 2024, the Path of Totality for the North American Solar Eclipse will shade two-thirds of Arkansas. In the days leading up to this event, which will last only 4-1/2 minutes at its peak, approximately 1.5 to 3 million visitors are expected to be drawn to Arkansas to witness this spectacular show. Public safety communications planning has never been more critical for our state. See below for helpful resources.
ACTIVATING SATELLITE PHONES
County satellite phones may be maintained at different activation levels, depending on the county's contract for services with the network provider: Activated, Sleeping, or Deactivated. Sleeping or deactivated phones will need to be reactivated by contacting Network Innovations Customer Support. Be aware that sleeping and deactivated phones may require extra time for updates upon activation.
GETS/WPS
CISA Emergency Communications Services will host a series of webinars to address preparedness for the eclipse, focusing on Priority Telecommunications Services, organization enrollment in PTS, GETS/WPS, and end user training for GETS/WPS.
This is not a series on different topics, but the same topic offered at the date and time options listed below. Microsoft Teams links and/or dial-in information for each is available on the 2024 Solar Eclipse page of the AWIN website:
March 13, 2024 - 10:00 AM
March 20, 2024 – 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
March 27, 2024 – 10:00 AM
PACE COMMUNICATIONS
Do you know your Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency (PACE) Communications? An AWIN Information Sharing campaign was distributed on December 18, 2023, with information about PACE and a link to the RATPAC video, "Do You Know Pace?" This video features J.M. Rowe speaking about PACE planning. Check it out HERE.
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