HOMELAND SECURITY

Ever since September 11, 2001, Americans have a heightened awareness of Homeland Security issues. In Nebraska Governor Johanns appointed Lt. Governor David Heineman as Chairman of the Nebraska Homeland Security Policy Group. This group is charged with assessing strategic alternatives and recommending broad courses of action for the development of a comprehensive homeland security strategy. From this initiative, Nebraska’s Homeland Security Strategy was developed. Nebraska’s definition on State Homeland Security is stated as:

Homeland Security for the State of Nebraska is defined as a concerted stated and local effort to prevent terrorist attacks within Nebraska, reduce our vulnerability to terrorism, respond to acts of terrorism and recover from attacks that do not occur.

Six critical mission areas were defined as priorities for Nebraska. They are:

• Intelligence and Warning
• Border and Transportation Security
• Domestic Counter-terrorism
• Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets
• Defending Against Catastrophic Threats
• Emergency Preparedness and Response

It is in the area of emergency preparedness and response that the Department of Administrative Services, including the Division of Communications, is focusing a majority of our efforts. The mission of DAS is “To provide expertly managed services to our customers that maximize the efficiency of state government.” This is both during the normal day-to-day operation of government and during an emergency. In order to be prepared for an event as described by the Homeland Security Strategy, DAS is actively participating with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency preparing for the State functional exercise scheduled for November 2004.

DAS is a support agency that assists other State agencies in fulfilling their missions. The Division of Communications considers itself a partner with your agency to provide “expertly managed telecommunications services” that will increase your efficiency and ability to provide services to your “clients”. One of the Division’s responsibilities is to plan and coordinate communications support to state and local response efforts before, during and immediately following a Governor’s emergency proclamation. In order to do this we need to work with your agency to assure that we understand your needs and your current resources. For example, in the event of a statewide emergency will your agency need additional wireless capabilities (cellular or satellite telephones, data links, etc.)? What circuits would you define as “critical” and which circuits would you define as secondary? Without knowing this information, assumptions could be made that could delay responses to our citizens in a time of emergency.

Over the next few months the Division of Communications will be working closely with each agency to attempt to define some of the answers to the questions listed above. We appreciate your assistance in this area and would be happy to assist your agency in planning for your telecommunications needs. If you would like more information about Homeland Security and/or DAS’s role, please check these websites often for updated information:

http://www.nebema.org/index_html?page=content/home_news/homelandsecurity_home.html
http://www.nebema.org

ORDERING TELECOM SERVICES

When placing orders for telecom services, be prepared to provide your agency billing information. The Division of Communications will need to know what Jobcode and Billing Number the service should be rebilled to. For agency IT managers, getting this information before sending DOC an order will be required. If you are not familiar with your agency’s Jobcode and Billing Numbers, please consult your financial staff. Your taking responsibility in this aspect will enable the billing of vendor services to your agency to be done correctly the first time. It will be much easier to locate costs associated with a site if you already know where the service will be billed.

USING CALLING CARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS

To use your new Alltel Calling Card to call an International location from the United States:

• Dial 1-800-ALLTEL-5 (1-800-255-8355) and listen for the authorization prompt.
• Enter your authorization code (10 digit card number and 4 digit pin).
• Enter the telephone number you are calling as follows:
• To call numbers not in the US or Canada, enter 011 + country code + city code + local number. Press #.

To use your Alltel Calling Card from outside the United States: (your card must have International access)

• Make sure you have an outside line. (From a hotel room, follow the hotel’s instructions to get an outside line, as if you were placing a local call).
• Dial the Alltel Calling Card access number for the country you are in.
• When prompted for the number you are calling, enter the Alltel access number 1-800-ALLTEL-5 (1-800-255-8355).
• After you are connected to the toll-free number, you will then be connected to the normal domestic recording and it will prompt you as a normal domestic call.
• Enter your authorization code (10 digit Alltel Calling Card number and four-digit PIN). For some access configurations you will be prompted for your authorization code after dialing the number you are calling.
• Enter the phone number you are calling as follows:
• To call the US, enter the area code + local seven-digit number (no need to dial 1 before the area code), Press #.
  OR
• To call countries other than the US, enter 011 + the country code + the city code + the local number, Press #.

Included with your calling card should be a Quick Reference Guide that has a list of all available country codes.

NEW EMPLOYEE

Renee Bramhall joined the Division of Communications staff on October 30, 2003. Renee can assist you with calling cards and Directory advertising. She can be reached at 402-471-4701 or via email at rbramhall@doc.state.ne.us

2004 State Telephone Directories

Thank you for your input for the 2004 Nebraska State Government Directory. We are in the process of updating all of the individual employee’s information as well as each agency’s information. Your agency will be contacted one last time in December to update the agency information pages located in the front of the Directory. We are anticipating the Directory to be available in early February 2004.

DIRECTORY LISTING CLOSING DATES:

For more information on Directory Listing Closing Dates, please contact Renee at 402/471-4701.