6 USC 578 - Definition

§ 571. Emergency Communications Division
§ 572. National Emergency Communications Plan
§ 573. Assessments and reports
§ 574. Coordination of Department emergency communications grant programs
§ 575. Regional emergency communications coordination
§ 576. Emergency Communications Preparedness Center
§ 577. Urban and other high risk area communications capabilities
§ 578. Definition
§ 579. Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program
§ 580. Border interoperability demonstration project

§ 571. Emergency Communications Division

(a) In general

(b) Executive Assistant Director

The Executive Assistant Director shall—

(1) assist the Secretary in developing and implementing the program described in section 194(a)(1) of this title, except as provided in section 195 of this title;

(2) administer the Department’s responsibilities and authorities relating to the SAFECOM Program, excluding elements related to research, development, testing, and evaluation and standards;

(3) administer the Department’s responsibilities and authorities relating to the Integrated Wireless Network program;

(4) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach to support and promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(5) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach and foster the development of interoperable emergency communications capabilities by State, regional, local, and tribal governments and public safety agencies, and by regional consortia thereof;

(6) provide technical assistance to State, regional, local, and tribal government officials with respect to use of interoperable emergency communications capabilities;

(7) coordinate with the Regional Administrators regarding the activities of Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Groups under section 575 of this title;

(8) promote the development of standard operating procedures and best practices with respect to use of interoperable emergency communications capabilities for incident response, and facilitate the sharing of information on such best practices for achieving, maintaining, and enhancing interoperable emergency communications capabilities for such response;

(9) coordinate, in cooperation with the National Communications System, the establishment of a national response capability with initial and ongoing planning, implementation, and training for the deployment of communications equipment for relevant State, local, and tribal governments and emergency response providers in the event of a catastrophic loss of local and regional emergency communications services;

(10) assist the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in ensuring the continued operation of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities of the Federal Government, excluding spectrum management;

(11) establish, in coordination with the Director of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, requirements for interoperable emergency communications capabilities, which shall be nonproprietary where standards for such capabilities exist, for all public safety radio and data communications systems and equipment purchased using homeland security assistance administered by the Department, excluding any alert and warning device, technology, or system;

(12) review, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Grants and Training, all interoperable emergency communications plans of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, including Statewide and tactical interoperability plans, developed pursuant to homeland security assistance administered by the Department, but excluding spectrum allocation and management related to such plans;

(13) develop and update periodically, as appropriate, a National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title;

(14) perform such other duties of the Department necessary to support and promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(15) perform other duties of the Department necessary to achieve the goal of and maintain and enhance interoperable emergency communications capabilities; and

(16) fully participate in the mechanisms required under section 652(c)(7) of this title.

(d) Performance of previously transferred functions

The Secretary shall transfer to, and administer through, the Executive Assistant Director the following programs and responsibilities:

(1) The SAFECOM Program, excluding elements related to research, development, testing, and evaluation and standards.

(2) The responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer related to the implementation of the Integrated Wireless Network.

(3) The Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program.

(e) Coordination

The Executive Assistant Director shall coordinate—

(1) as appropriate, with the Director of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility with respect to the responsibilities described in section 195 of this title; and

(2) with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency with respect to the responsibilities described in this subchapter.

(f) Sufficiency of resources plan

(1) Report

(2) Comptroller General review

(g) Reference

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1801, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1433; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179; Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XC, § 9001(e)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4767; Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXI, § 7143(c)(3), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3662.)

§ 572. National Emergency Communications Plan

(a) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, and in cooperation with the Department of National Communications System (as appropriate), shall, in cooperation with State, local, and tribal governments, Federal departments and agencies, emergency response providers, and the private sector, develop not later than 180 days after the completion of the baseline assessment under section 573 of this title, and periodically update, a National Emergency Communications Plan to provide recommendations regarding how the United States should—

(1) support and promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and

(2) ensure, accelerate, and attain interoperable emergency communications nationwide.

(b) Coordination

The National Emergency Communications Plan shall—

(1) include recommendations developed in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a process for expediting national voluntary consensus standards for emergency communications equipment for the purchase and use by public safety agencies of interoperable emergency communications equipment and technologies;

(2) identify the appropriate capabilities necessary for emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(3) identify the appropriate interoperable emergency communications capabilities necessary for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(4) recommend both short-term and long-term solutions for ensuring that emergency response providers and relevant government officials can continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(5) recommend both short-term and long-term solutions for deploying interoperable emergency communications systems for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments throughout the Nation, including through the provision of existing and emerging technologies;

(6) identify how Federal departments and agencies that respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters can work effectively with State, local, and tribal governments, in all States, and with other entities;

(7) identify obstacles to deploying interoperable emergency communications capabilities nationwide and recommend short-term and long-term measures to overcome those obstacles, including recommendations for multijurisdictional coordination among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments;

(8) recommend goals and timeframes for the deployment of emergency, command-level communications systems based on new and existing equipment across the United States and develop a timetable for the deployment of interoperable emergency communications systems nationwide;

(9) recommend appropriate measures that emergency response providers should employ to ensure the continued operation of relevant governmental communications infrastructure in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters; and

(10) set a date, including interim benchmarks, as appropriate, by which State, local, and tribal governments, Federal departments and agencies, and emergency response providers expect to achieve a baseline level of national interoperable communications, as that term is defined under section 194(g)(1) of this title.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1802, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1435; amended Pub. L. 110–53, title III, § 301(d), Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 300; Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(B), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179.)

§ 573. Assessments and reports

(a) Baseline assessmentNot later than 1 year after October 4, 2006, and not less than every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, shall conduct an assessment of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments that—

(1) defines the range of capabilities needed by emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(2) defines the range of interoperable emergency communications capabilities needed for specific events;

(3) assesses the current available capabilities to meet such communications needs;

(4) identifies the gap between such current capabilities and defined requirements; and

(5) includes a national interoperable emergency communications inventory to be completed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission that—

(A) identifies for each Federal department and agency—

(i) the channels and frequencies used;

(ii) the nomenclature used to refer to each channel or frequency used; and

(iii) the types of communications systems and equipment used; and

(B) identifies the interoperable emergency communications systems in use by public safety agencies in the United States.

(b) Classified annex

(d) Progress reportsNot later than one year after October 4, 2006, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the Department in achieving the goals of, and carrying out its responsibilities under, this subchapter, including—

(1) a description of the findings of the most recent baseline assessment conducted under subsection (a);

(2) a determination of the degree to which interoperable emergency communications capabilities have been attained to date and the gaps that remain for interoperability to be achieved;

(3) an evaluation of the ability to continue to communicate and to provide and maintain interoperable emergency communications by emergency managers, emergency response providers, and relevant government officials in the event of—

(A) natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters, including Incidents of National Significance declared by the Secretary under the National Response Plan; and

(B) a catastrophic loss of local and regional communications services;

(4) a list of best practices relating to the ability to continue to communicate and to provide and maintain interoperable emergency communications in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters; and

(A)1

1 So in original. Probably should be “(5)”.

an evaluation of the feasibility and desirability of the Department developing, on its own or in conjunction with the Department of Defense, a mobile communications capability, modeled on the Army Signal Corps, that could be deployed to support emergency communications at the site of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1803, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1437; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(B), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179.)

§ 574. Coordination of Department emergency communications grant programs

(a) Coordination of grants and standards programs

(b) Denial of eligibility for grants

(1) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Grants and Planning, and in consultation with the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, may prohibit any State, local, or tribal government from using homeland security assistance administered by the Department to achieve, maintain, or enhance emergency communications capabilities, if—

(A) such government has not complied with the requirement to submit a Statewide Interoperable Communications Plan as required by section 194(f) of this title;

(B) such government has proposed to upgrade or purchase new equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards and has not provided a reasonable explanation of why such equipment or systems will serve the needs of the applicant better than equipment or systems that meet or exceed such standards; and

(C) as of the date that is 3 years after the date of the completion of the initial National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title, national voluntary consensus standards for interoperable emergency communications capabilities have not been developed and promulgated.

(2) Standards

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1804, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1438; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(B), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179.)

§ 575. Regional emergency communications coordination

(a) In general

(b) Membership

Each RECC Working Group shall consist of the following:

(1) Non-Federal

Organizations representing the interests of the following:

(A) State officials.

(B) Local government officials, including sheriffs.

(D) Local police departments.

(E) Local fire departments.

(F) Public safety answering points (9–1–1 services).

(G) State emergency managers, homeland security directors, or representatives of State Administrative Agencies.

(H) Local emergency managers or homeland security directors.

(I) Other emergency response providers as appropriate.

(2) Federal

Each RECC Working Group shall coordinate its activities with the following:

(1) Communications equipment manufacturers and vendors (including broadband data service providers).

(2) Local exchange carriers.

(3) Local broadcast media.

(4) Wireless carriers.

(5) Satellite communications services.

(6) Cable operators.

(7) Hospitals.

(8) Public utility services.

(9) Emergency evacuation transit services.

(10) Ambulance services.

(11) HAM and amateur radio operators.

(12) Representatives from other private sector entities and nongovernmental organizations as the Regional Administrator determines appropriate.

(d) Duties

The duties of each RECC Working Group shall include—

(1) assessing the survivability, sustainability, and interoperability of local emergency communications systems to meet the goals of the National Emergency Communications Plan;

(2) reporting annually to the relevant Regional Administrator, the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce on the status of its region in building robust and sustainable interoperable voice and data emergency communications networks and, not later than 60 days after the completion of the initial National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title, on the progress of the region in meeting the goals of such plan;

(3) ensuring a process for the coordination of effective multijurisdictional, multi-agency emergency communications networks for use during natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters through the expanded use of emergency management and public safety communications mutual aid agreements; and

(4) coordinating the establishment of Federal, State, local, and tribal support services and networks designed to address the immediate and critical human needs in responding to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1805, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1439; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(B), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179.)

§ 576. Emergency Communications Preparedness Center

(a) Establishment

(b) Operation

(1) serve as the focal point for interagency efforts and as a clearinghouse with respect to all relevant intergovernmental information to support and promote (including specifically by working to avoid duplication, hindrances, and counteractive efforts among the participating Federal departments and agencies)—

(A) the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and

(B) interoperable emergency communications;

(2) prepare and submit to Congress, on an annual basis, a strategic assessment regarding the coordination efforts of Federal departments and agencies to advance—

(A) the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and

(B) interoperable emergency communications;

(3) consider, in preparing the strategic assessment under paragraph (2), the goals stated in the National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title; and

(4) perform such other functions as are provided in the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (ECPC) Charter described in subsection (b)(1).1

1 So in original. Subsection (b) of this section does not contain a paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1806, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1440.)

§ 577. Urban and other high risk area communications capabilities

(a) In general

(b) Minimum capabilities

The interoperable emergency communications capabilities established under subsection (a) shall ensure the ability of all levels of government, emergency response providers, the private sector, and other organizations with emergency response capabilities—

(1) to communicate with each other in the event of an emergency;

(2) to have appropriate and timely access to the Information Sharing Environment described in section 485 of this title; and

(3) to be consistent with any applicable State or Urban Area homeland strategy or plan.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1807, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1441.)

§ 578. Definition

In this subchapter, the term “interoperable” has the meaning given the term “interoperable communications” under section 194(g)(1) of this title.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1808, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1441.)

§ 579. Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program

(a) Establishment

(b) PolicyThe Assistant Director for Emergency Communications shall ensure that a grant awarded to a State under this section is consistent with the policies established pursuant to the responsibilities and authorities of the Emergency Communications Division under this subchapter, including ensuring that activities funded by the grant—

(1) comply with the statewide plan for that State required by section 194(f) of this title; and

(2) comply with the National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title, when completed.

(1) In general

(2) Guidance

(d) Use of funds

(e) Approval of plans

(1) Approval as condition of grant

(2) Plan requirementsIn approving a plan under this subsection, the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications shall ensure that the plan—

(A) is designed to improve interoperability at the city, county, regional, State and interstate level;

(B) considers any applicable local or regional plan; and

(C) complies, to the maximum extent practicable, with the National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title.

(3) Approval of revisions

(f) Limitations on uses of funds

(1) In generalThe recipient of a grant under this section may not use the grant—

(A) to supplant State or local funds;

(B) for any State or local government cost-sharing contribution; or

(2) Penalties

(g) Limitations on award of grants

(1) National emergency communications plan required

(2) Voluntary consensus standards

(h) Award of grantsIn approving applications and awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall consider—

(1) the risk posed to each State by natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other manmade disasters, including—

(A) the likely need of a jurisdiction within the State to respond to such risk in nearby jurisdictions;

(B) the degree of threat, vulnerability, and consequences related to critical infrastructure (from all critical infrastructure sectors) or key resources identified by the Administrator or the State homeland security and emergency management plans, including threats to, vulnerabilities of, and consequences from damage to critical infrastructure and key resources in nearby jurisdictions;

(C) the size of the population and density of the population of the State, including appropriate consideration of military, tourist, and commuter populations;

(D) whether the State is on or near an international border;

(E) whether the State encompasses an economically significant border crossing; and

(F) whether the State has a coastline bordering an ocean, a major waterway used for interstate commerce, or international waters; and

(2) the anticipated effectiveness of the State’s proposed use of grant funds to improve interoperability.

(i) Opportunity to amend applications

(j) Minimum grant amounts

(1) StatesIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that for each fiscal year, except as provided in paragraph (2), no State receives a grant in an amount that is less than the following percentage of the total amount appropriated for grants under this section for that fiscal year:

(A) For fiscal year 2008, 0.50 percent.

(B) For fiscal year 2009, 0.50 percent.

(D) For fiscal year 2011, 0.40 percent.

(E) For fiscal year 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, 0.35 percent.

(2) Territories and possessions

(k) Certification

(l) State responsibilities

(1) Availability of funds to local and tribal governmentsNot later than 45 days after receiving grant funds, any State that receives a grant under this section shall obligate or otherwise make available to local and tribal governments—

(A) not less than 80 percent of the grant funds;

(B) with the consent of local and tribal governments, eligible expenditures having a value of not less than 80 percent of the amount of the grant; or

(C) grant funds combined with other eligible expenditures having a total value of not less than 80 percent of the amount of the grant.

(2) Allocation of funds

(3) Penalties

(m) Reports

(1) Annual reports by State grant recipients

(2) Annual reports to Congress

(n) Rule of construction

(o) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section—

(1) for fiscal year 2008, such sums as may be necessary;

(2) for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, $400,000,000; and

(3) for each subsequent fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1809, as added Pub. L. 110–53, title III, § 301(a), Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 296; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(C), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179.)

§ 580. Border interoperability demonstration project

(a) In general

(1) Establishment

(2) Minimum number of communities

(3) Location of communities

(b) Conditions

Consistent with the responsibilities of the Emergency Communications Division under section 571 of this title, the Assistant Director shall foster local, tribal, State, and Federal interoperable emergency communications, as well as interoperable emergency communications with appropriate Canadian and Mexican authorities in the communities selected for the demonstration project. The Assistant Director shall—

(1) identify solutions to facilitate interoperable communications across national borders expeditiously;

(2) help ensure that emergency response providers can communicate with each other in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;

(3) provide technical assistance to enable emergency response providers to deal with threats and contingencies in a variety of environments;

(4) identify appropriate joint-use equipment to ensure communications access;

(5) identify solutions to facilitate communications between emergency response providers in communities of differing population densities; and

(6) take other actions or provide equipment as the Assistant Director deems appropriate to foster interoperable emergency communications.

(d) Distribution of funds

(1) In general

(2) Other participants

(3) Report

(e) Maximum period of grants

(f) Transfer of information and knowledge

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1810, as added Pub. L. 110–53, title III, § 302(a), Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 300; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(D), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4180.)