Thursday, March 16, 2006

FCC to Establish Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

The FCC plans to establish a "Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau" whose mission will be "to provide a more efficient, effective, and responsive organizational structure to address public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management, and other related issues."



he Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will handle the following issues and functions that have been dispersed among seven different bureaus and offices:

  • Public safety communications, including 911/Enhanced 911 (E911) requirements, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), Interoperability and operability of public safety communications, and Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA).

  • Priority emergency communications (TSP/WSP programs)

  • Alert and warning of U.S. citizens (EAS, etc)

  • Continuity of government operations (COG) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning

  • Public safety outreach (e.g., PSAPs, first responder organizations)
  • Disaster management coordination

  • Disaster management outreach

  • 24/7 Communications Center

  • Communications infrastructure protection

  • Network reliability and resiliency

  • Network security

  • Advisory Committees and panels focused on public safety and security issues

  • Studies and reports of public safety, homeland security, and disaster management issues


The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will be organized into three divisions: Policy Division, Public Communications Outreach & Operations Division, and the Communications Systems Analysis Division. In addition, the Bureau will have a Front Office consisting of the Bureau's senior leadership and management staff.

http://www.fcc.gov