[Scan-DC] FCC Homeland Security Bureau

[cm1531 at aol.com]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
March 17, 2006                                                                                       David Fiske (202) 418-0513
 
 
FCC ADOPTS PLAN TO ESTABLISH a 
public safety and homeland security bureau
 
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Commission took a critical step forward in its plan to strengthen its public safety and homeland security functions by voting unanimously to establish a “Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.”  The new Bureau is designed 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.
 
The changes are subject to Congressional notification before they become effective.  In addition, the Commission must work with the National Treasury Employees Union Local 209 to secure its approval for issues affecting the Commission’s workforce.
 
The 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 
o       911/Enhanced 911 (E911) requirements
o       Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
o       Interoperability and operability of public safety communications
o       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.   
                                                                                                                                                            
Policy Division – The Policy Division will draft, develop, and administer rules, regulations, and policies, including those pertaining to the 911/Enhanced 911 (E911), Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), operability and interoperability for public safety communications, communications infrastructure protection, network security and reliability.  In addition, the Policy Division will handle the licensing of spectrum for public safety entities (e.g., police and fire departments) and related issues.  
 
Public Communications Outreach & Operations Division – The Public Communications Outreach & Operations Division (PCOOD) will be the lead division responsible for coordinating the Commission’s emergency response procedures and operations.  The division will coordinate the Commission’s public safety, homeland security, national security, disaster management and related functions on a day-to-day basis and during incidents or other emergencies.  The division will coordinate and communicate with public safety organizations and state and local governmental agencies.  The division will also be the lead point of contact for all inter-governmental coordination activities with other Federal departments and agencies.  The division will operate the Commission’s Communications Center (COMM-CTR) and High Frequency Direction Finding Capability (HFDFC) facilities.       
 
Communications Systems Analysis Division – The Communications Systems Analysis Division (CSAD) will administer the Commission’s information collection requirements (e.g., network outage reports) and perform analyses and studies concerning public safety, homeland security, national security, disaster management, and related issues.   
 
Action by the Commission March 17, 2006 by Order (FCC 06-35).  Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, and Tate.  Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, and Tate.
 
- FCC -
 
For further information, contact Anthony Dale at (202) 418-2260.