Overview
As the FCC's primary expert on public safety and homeland security matters, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) promotes the public’s access to reliable 911, emergency alerting, and first responder communications. We do this by developing and implementing policies, consistent with the FCC’s statutory authority, to ensure that our Nation’s first responders and the American public have access to effective and reliable communications, and by collaborating with Federal government partners responsible for protecting the Nation’s communications infrastructure. This includes issues related to:
- 911, Enhanced 911, and Next Generation 911, including location accuracy;
- Public alerts and warnings;
- Network reliability, resiliency, security, interoperability and cybersecurity;
- Public safety communications, including spectrum management and interference resolution;
- Disaster management coordination (i.e., infrastructure reporting and analysis in times of disaster) and outreach to public safety and other government stakeholders;
- National security and emergency preparedness communications (NS/EP), including priority emergency communications;
- Continuity of government operations (COG) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning;
Organization
PSHSB is organized with the three divisions: the Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, the Operations and Emergency Management Division, and the Policy and Licensing Division. In addition, the Office of the Bureau Chief, which includes senior leadership and management staff, provides general leadership and direction to the Bureau as it carries out its functions.
Specific responsibilities of PSHSB are contained in section 0.191 of the Commission's rules, and its delegations of authority are contained in section 0.392 of the Commission's rules.
The Bureau Chief, or that person's designee, acts as Alternate FCC Homeland Security and Defense Coordinator and principal to the National Security/Emergency Preparedness Communications Executive Committee.