PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
August 29, 2008 Robert Kenny: (202) 418-2668
(202) 355-2524 (C)
Email: robert.kenny@fcc.gov  
FCC REMINDS COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS HOW TO 
CONTACT AGENCY FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 
Washington, D.C. – Due to the imminent threat of hurricanes developing along the Gulf 
Coast, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today reminds communications 
providers of the following contact information to obtain emergency Special Temporary 
Authorizations (STAs).
Providers needing emergency STAs or needing to consult FCC Bureaus and Offices 
about their recovery efforts during the weekend or after hours can call the FCC’s Operations 
Center, which is open 24 hours a day, at (202) 418-1122.  
Contact information during normal working hours and more comprehensive information 
on receiving STAs can be obtained at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/sta.html.
In addition, we urge all communications providers to participate in the FCC’s Disaster 
Information Reporting System (DIRS).  DIRS is a voluntary, web-based system that 
communications companies, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable providers, can use 
to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during 
times of crisis.  
This system also collects communications providers’ emergency contact information that 
facilitates the FCC’s efforts to assist in the restoration of communication services affected by the 
disaster.   We urge all communications providers that have previously registered in DIRS to 
ensure that their contact information is current and accurate.  In addition, we ask all 
communications providers that have not yet submitted their emergency contact information to 
please register in DIRS at the following URL:  https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/Login.cfm .    
The information provided will be secured by the FCC and protected from public disclosure.
-FCC-
Please find news and other information about the FCC at: www.fcc.gov