FCC Streamlines DIRS Reporting Requirements
The FCC voted to modernize its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) which collects and reports communications outage information before, during, and after emergencies. The new rules streamline reporting requirements and enable providers to focus more of their resources on service restoration after a disaster, agency officials said yesterday.
The Commission believes the changes will make the DIRS web-based system more useful to the FCC and providers. For example, with the changes, providers can use one form instead of 10 to report infrastructure status information. It also provides a one-click option when there’s no change in their network status.
The Third Report and Order eliminates the requirement for providers to file a final report 24 hours after DIRS is deactivated and exempts providers that don’t own or operate their own facilities or infrastructure from filing. The Order requires public safety network, voice and broadband network operators, such as FirstNet, to report on the status of their public safety network infrastructure.
“When providers should be focused on the maintenance and restoration of communications services, they should be met with a simple and functional system that’s easy to navigate,” said FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty during the 3-0 vote. She believes the Order “helps achieve that objective.”
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr plans to return to Western North Carolina later this week, “where Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding and mudslides in September 2024.” He saw the destruction and met with first responders, providers, and residents on his first trip out of D.C. after becoming Chairman.
“One thing that stood out to me in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene was how many resources were still being tied up by outdated paperwork requirements,” Carr explained. “In the middle of a disaster recovery effort, the FCC should be focused on helping crews reconnect communities and clearing barriers that slow recovery down.”
“Limited manpower shouldn’t be spent on unnecessary red tape,” Carr added. He believes the changes to DIRS reduces burdens while still ensuring the agency has accurate, up-to-date information on service restoration efforts. “This will be especially important for small, rural providers that may already be stretched thin during emergencies,” Carr explained.
The DIRS web-based system collects infrastructure status and service restoration information from communications service providers during and after major disasters. The information allows state, Tribal, territorial, and federal emergency management officials to more efficiently prioritize disaster response efforts.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
