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

    -   911/Enhanced 911 (E911) requirements

    -   Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)

    -   Interoperability and operability of public safety communications

    -   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.