In 2006, Congress passed Public Law
109-295, which created the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC)
headed by a Director of Emergency Communications. Responsibilities
of the Director include assisting the Secretary in developing and
implementing a program 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; and ensure, accelerate,
and attain interoperable emergency communications nationwide. 6
U.S.C. §571(c)(4) requires the DHS Secretary through the OEC
Director to 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.
In order to perform this statutory regulation it is important to
understand the variety of technology being used today.
Additionally, 6 U.S.C. § 573 of the United States Code requires the
DHS Secretary to conduct a baseline assessment of the first
responder emergency communications capabilities at least every five
years. These authorities in addition to DHS’s responsibilities
through Executive Order 13618 in the area of national
security/emergency providers’ communications require a renewed
examination of baseline emergency communications
capabilities.
PL:
Pub.L. 109 - 295 Departmental Management and Op Name of Law:
Department of Homeland Security
US Code: 6 USC
571 Name of Law: Office of Emergency Communications
US Code: 6 USC
573 Name of Law: Assessments and reports
EO: EO 13618 Name/Subject of EO: Assignment of
National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications
Functions
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