Homeland Security

The FCC's strategic goal for Homeland Security is to provide leadership in evaluating and strengthening the Nation’s communications infrastructure, in ensuring rapid restoration of that infrastructure in the event of disruption, and in ensuring that essential public health and safety personnel have effective communications services available to them in emergency situations.

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, all Americans were reminded of the importance of reliable, easily available, and interoperable communications systems – both for emergency personnel responding to a tragedy and individuals checking on friends and family. Much of what the FCC does either directly or indirectly affects the national security or emergency preparedness telecommunications activities of the public and private sectors.

To fully and effectively carry out its role in promoting homeland security, network protection, interoperability, redundancy, and reliability, the FCC has established the following objectives:

• Evaluate and strengthen measures for protecting the Nation’s communications infrastructure.

• Facilitate rapid restoration of the U.S. communications infrastructure and facilities after disruption by a threat or attack.

• Develop policies that promote access to effective communications services by public safety, public health, and other emergency and defense personnel in emergency situations.

9/22/04
Written Statement of James A. Dailey, Director Office of Homeland Security, Enforcement Bureau FCC, Concerning The Emergency Alert System (EAS) Before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Statement: Acrobat

9/10/04
Network Reliability and Interoperability Council to Hold Its Second Meeting Under Its Renewed Charter.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

9/8/04
Written Statement of Chairman Powell on Implementing the 9-11 Commission's Recommendation to Expeditiously Provide Spectrum to Public Safety Organizations, Before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, United States Senate.
Statement: Word | Acrobat

9/8/04
Tutorial on Optical Network Interoperability.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

8/19/04
FCC Adopts Rules to Enhance Network Outage Reporting to Facilitate More Reliable Telecommunications and Promote Homeland Security.
Order: Word | Acrobat
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Abernathy Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat

8/12/04
Commission Seeks Comment on Rule Changes for The Emergency Alert System.
NPRM: Word | Acrobat
News Release (8/4/04): Word | Acrobat
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Abernathy Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat

8/9/04
FCC Adopts Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Declaratory Ruling Regarding Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.
NPRM: Word | Acrobat
News Release (8/4/04): Word | Acrobat
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Abernathy Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat

8/6/04
FCC Adopts Solution to Interference Problem Faced by 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Systems.
Order: Word | Acrobat
News Release (7/8/04): Word | Acrobat
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Powell Press Statement: Word | Acrobat
Abernathy Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
Background Information

More News...

On July 10, 2003, the Commission announced its Homeland Security Action Plan. The Plan defines the Commission’s homeland security goals as well as the approach it will take to achieve these goals. The Plan relies heavily on partnerships with other government entities, industry, and citizen groups.

• Action Plan: Word | Acrobat

• Chairman Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat

• FCC Establishes Office of Homeland Security; James Dailey Named Director.
  News Release: Word | Acrobat

• Commissioner Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat

• At the July 10, 2003, Commission meeting, HSPC Director, Marsha MacBride, presented a report on the Commission's homeland security efforts, accomplishments, and plans.
  Presentation: Acrobat | PowerPoint