Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC CHAIR ANNOUNCES HURRICANE RECOVERY TASK FORCE
  --
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2017—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today 
announced the formation of an FCC Hurricane Recovery Task Force.  This internal task force will 
continue the Commission’s work in support of the restoration of communications services in 
areas affected by this season’s hurricanes, with an emphasis on addressing the challenges facing 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“As we shift from short-term incident management to a longer-term recovery phase, it makes 
sense to adjust the structure of the FCC’s response.  In the weeks and months to come, the 
Commission will be confronting a wide range of storm-related issues that fall within the 
jurisdiction of numerous bureaus and offices,” said Chairman Pai.  “It is critical that we adopt a 
coordinated and comprehensive approach to support the rebuilding of communications 
infrastructure and restoration of communications services.  The Hurricane Recovery Task Force 
will allow us to do just that.”    
The task force will be chaired by Michael Carowitz, Special Counsel to Chairman Pai, and 
comprised of representatives from bureaus and offices throughout the agency. 
As the work of the task force begins, the FCC will continue response efforts in support of the 
Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency under the 
National Response Framework.  Through this mission, the Commission helps coordinate requests 
for assistance from communications providers, compiles and analyzes data on the operational 
status of communications services, and deploys personnel at the request of FEMA. 
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).