The NAB has partnered with the FCC to create a program called, Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).  The DIRS program was designed to help broadcasters deliver, often times, life-saving information in severe weather, natural disasters, and other emergencies to the American public.

Click here to watch a video on the DIRS program

To enroll in the program, click here.

Fast facts about the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS)

  • DIRS is purely voluntary.
  • Joining DIRS is a very simple process that takes only a few minutes.
  • The FCC launched DIRS on September 11, 2007, in response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
  • The FCC is always ready to assist broadcasters in obtaining a DIRS account, or reporting their status during a disaster.
  • DIRS is a web-based database system that broadcast stations can use to report their operational status during emergencies.
  • DIRS is activated only during major disasters. To date, it has been activated on five occasions.
  • In the event of a major disaster, the FCC and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Communications System (NCS) need to have accurate information about the status of communications services in the disaster area, including broadcast services.
  • During a crisis, the FCC asks that DIRS participants log on to DIRS once a day to update their status.
  • Logging on to DIRS to report your operational status during a disaster is a very simple process that takes only a few minutes.
  • DIRS asks for information about whether the station is on or off the air, and the status of a station’s transmitter power source, generator and fuel. DIRS also allows a station to add any other information it wants regarding their status or needs.
  • The FCC shares DIRS information with other authorized federal agencies that can help coordinate assistance to broadcast stations in need, and then contacts stations that have indicated a need, and works with that station to locate and deliver the fuel or equipment the station needs.
  • All information entered into DIRS is treated as confidential.
  • DIRS is a win-win for broadcasters because participating in DIRS requires very little effort in return for potentially tremendous benefits, such as the government’s help in securing a necessary generator or fuel in the midst or wake of a disaster.