Priority Telecommunication Services for Indian Country: How CISA Emphasizes Protecting Your Communities

Release Date:

12.20.2023

Hoporenkv Native American Podcast:

“Priority Telecommunication Services for Indian Country: How CISA Emphasizes Protecting Your Communities”

Special Guests:

• Larry Clutts, Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative (PAR) for the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Communications, for FEMA Regions 6 and 8

• Cathy Orcutt, Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative (PAR) for the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Emergency Communications Division, for CISA Regions 9 & 10

• Jim Fogarty, Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative (PAR) for Regions 3 and 5

• Bruce Belt, Priority Telecommunications Services area Representative (PAR) for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Regions 1 and 2

Episode Description:

Cyber threats don't respect borders, and Tribal Nations deserve the same robust cybersecurity solutions as anyone else. That's where the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)'s Priority Services Programs step in, offering critical telecommunications and infrastructure support tailored to the unique needs of Indian Country.

In this episode of the Hoporenkv Native American Podcast, we dive deep with expert Larry Clutts from CISA's priority area teams. We'll unpack the benefits of programs like GETS, WPS, and TSP, and explore how they can strengthen communications within Tribal communities, safeguard essential infrastructure, and ensure seamless emergency response during crises.

Join us as we discuss:

• Navigating the unique cybersecurity landscape of Indian Country.

• How CISA prioritizes Tribal Nations within its programs.

• Real-world examples of how these services have protected Tribal communities.

• Steps Tribal governments and organizations can take to enroll and maximize program benefits.

Whether you're a Tribal leader, a community member, or simply interested in cybersecurity solutions for remote and underserved areas, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how CISA is working to empower Tribal Nations with the tools they need to stay safe in the digital age.

Don't miss this timely conversation about strengthening cybersecurity in Indian Country!

Visit the online resources linked below to learn more about Priority Services Programs for Indian Country.

Share this episode with your network and raise awareness about cybersecurity in Indian Country.

Keywords: cybersecurity, Indian Country, CISA, Priority Services Programs, GETS, WPS, TSP, Tribal Nations, emergency response, infrastructure, communication, remote communities.

Resources to Include with Episode:

Website:

https://www.cisa.gov/topics/emergency-communications/priority-services

https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/programs/priority-telecommunications-services

Priority Telecommunications Service Center:

Phone: 1-866-627-2255

Email: gets-wps@cisa.dhs.gov

PAR Information:

• Region 1 & 2: Bruce Belt | bruce.belt@associates.cisa.dhs.gov | (202) 993-6293

• Region: 3 & 5: James Fogarty | jim.fogarty@associates.cisa.dhs.gov | (202) 893-1629

• Region: 4 & 7: Dale Moushon | dale.moushon@associates.cisa.dhs.gov | (202) 738-3678

• Region: 6 & 8: Larry Clutts | larry.clutts@associates.cisa.dhs.gov | (202) 763-6101

• Region: 9 & 10: Cathy Orcutt | cathy.orcutt@associates.cisa.dhs.gov | (202) 941-4633

• Federal Government and Military: Wayne Pacine | wayne.pacine@associates.cisa.dhs.gov | (202) 740-2751

Social Media:

Twitter- @CISAgov @CISAcyber

Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn- @cisagov

Guest Speaker Bios:

• Larry Clutts is the Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative (PAR) for the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Emergency Communications, for FEMA Regions 6 and 8. Larry started as a PAR in 2016 after spending 47 years in the Telecommunications Industry. Larry held positions in Outside Plant Construction, Outside Plant Engineering, Account Management and Sales in the Public and Private Sectors. In addition, Larry held a supervisory role for Telecom, Network Engineering and Smart Classroom responsibilities at a large university in California.

Larry’s responsibilities as the PAR are to support national leadership; federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments; first responders; and other authorized national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) users on the value and use of Priority Telecommunications Services. Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representatives (PARs) work in the field, focused on expanding Government Emergency Telecommunications (GETS), Wireless Priority Services (WPS) and Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) within the ten FEMA Regions in coordination with the Office of Emergency Communications Regional Coordinators.

Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative –NM, TX, OK, AR, LA

• Cathy Orcutt is the Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative (PAR) for the Department of Homeland Security, CyberSecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Emergency Communications Division, for CISA Regions 9 & 10. Cathy assumed her responsibilities as a PAR in late 2019 after spending 30 years in the 911 Emergency Communications field as a dispatcher, lead dispatcher and 911 Emergency Call Center Manager.

Cathy's responsibilities as a PAR are to support national leadership; federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments; first responders; and other authorized national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) users on the value and use of Priority Telecommunications Services.

Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representatives (PARs) work in the field, focused on expanding Government Emergency Telecommunications (GETS), Wireless Priority Services (WPS) and Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) within the ten CISA Regions.

• Jim Fogarty Serves as the Priority Telecommunications Services Area Representative (PAR) for Regions 3 and 5. In this consultant role, Jim Fogarty promotes the Priority Telecommunications Services (PTS) program consisting of Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS), Wireless Priority Service (WPS), Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP), and Next Generation Networks (NGN) Priority Service (PS) among state, local, territorial, and tribal governments along with nonprofit and industry elements supporting public safety. The Priority Services program provides critical emergency communications in support of disaster response and recovery efforts.

Before his January 2020 retirement from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Jim Fogarty supported the PTS program in various managerial positions for 18 years, including: Chief, Programs and Acquisitions; and NGN PS Deputy Program Manager. Noteworthy achievements included conceiving and implementing the Service Provider Council for carriers and equipment manufacturers to work in a collaborative forum to ensure interoperability of NGN PS. Additionally, he chaired the Emergency Communications Executive Committee’s NGN Working Group that obtained endorsement for NGN PS user requirements for voice, video, and data.

Throughout his career Jim Fogarty supported emergency operations where he deployed to assist in disaster response and recovery efforts. Jim was the communications, ESF2, liaison responsible for coordinating Wall Street recovery efforts following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

• Bruce Belt is currently the Priority Telecommunications Services area Representative (PAR) for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Regions 1 and 2. He retired from DHS CISA in January 2022 where he worked as the Emergency Communications Coordinator (ECC) for Regions 3 and 9 for 8 years, after transferring from FEMA National Exercise Division. Prior to that he worked as a lead contractor supporting the National Communications Systems (NCS and precursor to the Emergency Communications Division) Training & Exercise Div. and Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) program. He was the lead trainer for the development of the ESF-2 training and exercise program for NCS. Bruce is a retired Lt Colonel after a 23-year career as a US Army Signal Officer. He has a BA degree from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel).