“With the events of September 11th, it has become imperative that the communications community come together to determine our role in ensuring homeland security. We must be aggressive in ensuring that our policies maximize the many efforts being made to make our nation safe. We will work with industry to ensure the reliability and security of our nation’s communications infrastructure.” - Chairman's Press Conference Oct. 23, 2001

The Homeland Security Policy Council was formed in November 2001 (News Release) to Assist the Commission in:

• evaluating and strengthening measures for protecting U.S. telecommunications, broadcast and other communications infrastructure and facilities from further terrorist attacks;

• ensuring rapid restoration of U.S. telecommunications, broadcast, and other communications infrastructure and facilities after disruption by a terrorist threat or attack; and

• ensuring that public safety, public health, and other emergency and defense personnel have effective communications services available to them in the immediate aftermath of any terrorist attack within the United States.

The Homeland Security Policy Council is comprised of senior staff from each of the Commission’s Bureaus and is directed by the Chief of Staff for the Commission. See the Organizational Table for the names of the current members.

The functions of the Homeland Security Policy Council are described in the following PowerPoint presentation. - HSPC Functions