Federal Communications Commission FCC 20-20 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER BRENDAN CARR Re: Amendments to Part 4 of the Commission’s Rules Concerning Disruptions to Communications, PS Docket No. 15-80, Second Report and Order (March 17, 2021) When a hurricane tears through a community, leaving downed power lines and bent towers in its wake, federal and state agencies immediately rush in to help. They are part of a large group of private sector and government officials alike that go to work whenever a natural or manmade disaster strikes. I had the chance to see firsthand the work they do to restore vital services in the aftermath of a crisis when I spent time with telecom crews and first responders in Mexico Beach, Florida—ground zero for the Category 5 Hurricane Michael. One thing that stood out to me is the need for all of these federal, state, local, and private sector entities to coordinate. Indeed, efforts to restore some services, like power or water, can often result in inadvertent cuts to telecom lines. This is where better coordination and communication can make sure that restoration efforts do not get stuck in a one step forward, two steps backwards dilemma. Today’s decision helps further this interest by ensuring that qualified federal, state, and Tribal partners with a “need to know” will now have greater access to outage information. At the same time, we take steps to safeguard this sensitive and confidential data. Indeed, I would like to thank my colleagues for agreeing to additional edits that strengthen the item in this regard and ensure providers have better vision into how this information is being used. Ultimately, our decision here will empower first responders—from public safety officials to the telecom crews that hit the ground the moment it is safe—so that services are restored as quickly as possible. Thank you to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau for your work on this Order. It has my support. 2