ver the last decade, there have been several programs in the Federal Government that have addressed various aspects of public safety communications and interoperability. Among these has been the Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN) Program--a joint program of the Department of Treasury and the Department of Justice.

In Fiscal Year 2002, as part of the President's Management Agenda, the White House established SAFECOM as the overarching umbrella program within the Federal Government to oversee all communication and interoperability initiatives and projects. The SAFECOM Program is managed within the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate. Through SAFECOM, the Federal Government is addressing public safety communications issues in a more coordinated, comprehensive and, therefore, effective way.

As part of this initiative, the PSWN Program has been folded into SAFECOM and will no longer function as a separate program. The PSWN Executive Committee will be incorporated into the Advisory Committee, and SAFECOM will draw upon the expertise of the PSWN Program's partner organizations. Where appropriate, functions that were performed by the PSWN Program will be carried out through SAFECOM.

SAFECOM will continue to work with other federal organizations addressing this issue through the establishment of a Federal Interagency Coordination Council.

In order to accomplish its objectives, SAFECOM will carry out the following kinds of initiatives and services for public safety communications and interoperability:

• Research, develop, test, and evaluate technology solutions
• Provide technical assistance and outreach
• Coordinate federal funding assistance
• Coordinate development of open standards