[LeArc] FCC LAUNCHES NEW PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU

[Duane Whittingham]

FCC LAUNCHES NEW PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU

The FCC has formally launched its new Public Safety and Homeland
Security Bureau (PSHSB) <http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/>. The PSHSB will
assume some functions that had been under the umbrella of the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), where the Amateur Radio
Service will remain. WTB Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure
Division Chief Michael J. Wilhelm, WS6BR, has assumed a role within
the new bureau, however.

"The events of September 11, 2001, and last year's hurricane season
underscored America's dependence on an effective national
telecommunications infrastructure," the Commission said. "The new
bureau will build on the Commission's longstanding commitment to meet
the needs of public safety by promoting robust, reliable and
resilient communications services in times of emergency." Addressing
interoperability issues will be a part of that process, Acting Bureau
Chief Ken Moran told the Commission September 26.

The PSHSB is responsible for the combined public safety-related
functions previously spread among other bureaus and offices. It will
include Policy, Public Communications Outreach and Operations and
Communications Systems Analysis divisions. Wilhelm will serve as
deputy chief of the PSHSB's Policy Division. The Public
Communications Outreach and Operations Division will operate the
FCC's Communications Center and the High Frequency Direction Finding Center.

Some observers had speculated that Amateur Radio would be shifted to
the PSHSB, thus removing it from the WTB's market-based approach to
regulation. Moving some of the WTB's current responsibilities to the
new bureau could nonetheless speed up the process of moving Amateur
Radio-related proceedings through the Commission.

The FCC Order setting up the new bureau is on the FCC Web site
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-35A1.pdf>.

(Tnx ARRL Letter)


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Amateur Radio Operator
Duane Whittingham - N9SSN
Skywarn, ARES, RACES, EMA & ESDA
Red Cross Volunteer and SATERN Member