Sec.  0.191   Functions of the Bureau.

   The  Public  Safety  and  Homeland  Security  Bureau advises and makes
   recommendations  to  the  Commission, or acts for the Commission under
   delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to public safety, homeland
   security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster
   management, and ancillary operations. The Bureau has responsibility for
   coordinating public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency
   management and preparedness, disaster management, and related activities
   within the Commission. The Bureau also performs the following functions.

   (a) Develops, recommends, and administers policy goals, objectives, rules,
   regulations, programs and plans for the Commission to promote effective and
   reliable communications for public safety, homeland security, national
   security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management and
   related activities, including public safety communications (including 911,
   enhanced  911,  and other emergency number issues), priority emergency
   communications, alert and warning systems (including the Emergency Alert
   System), continuity of government operations, implementation of Homeland
   Security  Presidential  Directives  and  Orders,  disaster  management
   coordination  and  outreach, communications infrastructure protection,
   reliability, operability and interoperability of networks and communications
   systems, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), and
   network security. Recommends policies and procedures for public safety,
   homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness,
   and recommends national emergency plans and preparedness programs covering
   Commission functions during national emergency conditions. Conducts outreach
   and coordination activities with, among others, state and local governmental
   agencies, hospitals and other emergency health care providers, and public
   safety organizations. Recommends national emergency plans, policies, and
   preparedness programs covering the provision of service by communications
   service  providers,  including  telecommunications  service providers,
   information service providers, common carriers, and non-common carriers;
   broadcasting and cable facilities; satellite and wireless radio services;
   radio frequency assignment; electro-magnetic radiation; investigation and
   enforcement.

   (b) Under the general direction of the Defense Commissioner, coordinates the
   public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management
   and  preparedness,  disaster management, and related activities of the
   Commission, including national security and emergency preparedness and
   defense mobilization, Continuity of Government (COG) planning, alert and
   warning systems (including the Emergency Alert System), and other functions
   as  may  be delegated during a national emergency or activation of the
   President's  war  emergency  powers as specified in section 706 of the
   Communications Act. Provides support to the Defense Commissioner, including
   with respect to his or her participation in the Joint Telecommunications
   Resources Board, and the National Security Telecommunications Advisory
   Committee and other public safety and homeland security organizations and
   committees.  Represents the Defense Commissioner with other Government
   agencies and organizations, the communications industry, and Commission
   licensees on public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency
   management and preparedness, disaster management, and related issues. Keeps
   the Defense Commissioner informed as to significant developments in the
   fields of public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency
   management, and disaster management activities, and related areas.

   (c) Develops and administers rules, regulations, and policies for priority
   emergency communications, including the Telecommunications Service Priority
   System. Supports the Chiefs of the Wireline Competition, International and
   Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus on matters involving assignment of
   Telecommunications Service Priority System priorities and in administration
   of that system.

   (d) The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, or that person's
   designee, acts as FCC Alternate Homeland Security and Defense Coordinator
   and principal to the National Communications System, and the Chief, Public
   Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, or that person's designee, shall serve
   as  the Commission's representative on National Communications Systems
   Committees.

   (e) Conducts rulemaking proceedings and acts on requests for interpretation
   or waiver of rules.

   (f) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the
   Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to the
   licensing and regulation of public safety, homeland security, national
   security, emergency management and preparedness, and disaster management
   wireless telecommunications, including ancillary operations related to the
   provision  or  use  of such services. These activities include: policy
   development  and  coordination; conducting rulemaking and adjudicatory
   proceedings, including complaint proceedings for matters not within the
   responsibility of the Enforcement Bureau; acting on waivers of rules; acting
   on applications for service and facility authorizations; compliance and
   enforcement activities for matters not within the responsibility of the
   Enforcement Bureau; determining resource impacts of existing, planned or
   recommended Commission activities concerning wireless telecommunications,
   and developing and recommending resource deployment priorities. In addition,
   advises and assists public safety entities on wireless telecommunications
   issues and matters related thereto. Administers all authority previously
   delegated  to  the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (including those
   delegations  expressly  provided  to  the  Public  Safety and Critical
   Infrastructure  Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau) in
   Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, WT Docket 02–55.

   (g) Conducts studies of public safety, homeland security, national security,
   emergency management and preparedness, disaster management, and related
   issues. Develops and administers recordkeeping and reporting requirements
   for communications companies pertaining to these issues. Administers any
   Commission information collection requirements pertaining to public safety,
   homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness,
   disaster  management, and related issues, including the communications
   disruption reporting requirements set forth in part 4 of this chapter and
   revision of the filing system and template used for the submission of those
   communications disruption reports.

   (h) Interacts with the public, local, state, and other governmental agencies
   and  industry  groups (including advisory committees and public safety
   organizations  and  associations) on public safety, homeland security,
   national security, emergency management, disaster management and related
   issues. As requested, represents the Commission at meetings and conferences.
   Serves  as  the point of contact for the U.S. Government in matters of
   international  monitoring,  fixed  and  mobile  direction-finding  and
   interference  resolution;  and  oversees  coordination  of non-routine
   communications and materials between the Commission and international or
   regional public organizations or foreign administrations.

   (i)  Maintains  and  operates the Commission's public safety, homeland
   security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, and
   disaster management facilities and operations, including the Communications
   Center, the establishment of any Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and any
   liaison  activities  with  other  federal,  state, or local government
   organizations.

   (j) Reviews and coordinates orders, programs and actions initiated by other
   Bureaus and Offices in matters affecting public safety, homeland security,
   national  security,  emergency  management  and preparedness, disaster
   management and related issues to ensure consistency with overall Commission
   policy. Provides advice to the Commission and other Bureaus and offices
   regarding the public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency
   management, and disaster management implications of existing and proposed
   rules.

   (k) Develops and recommends responses to legislative, regulatory or judicial
   inquiries and proposals concerning or affecting public safety, homeland
   security, national security, emergency management, disaster management and
   related issues. Responses to judicial inquiries should be developed with and
   recommended to the Office of General Counsel.

   (l) Develops and maintains the Commission's plans and procedures, including
   the  oversight, preparation, and training of Commission personnel, for
   Continuity of Operations (COOP), Continuity of Government functions, and
   Commission  activities and responses to national emergencies and other
   similar situations.

   (m)  Acts on emergency requests for Special Temporary Authority during
   non-business hours when the other Offices and Bureaus of the Commission are
   closed. Such actions shall be coordinated with, if possible, and promptly
   reported to the responsible Bureau or Office.

   (n) Maintains liaison with other Bureaus and Offices concerning matters
   affecting public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency
   management and preparedness, disaster management and related issues.

   (o)  Is authorized to declare that a temporary state of communications
   emergency exists pursuant to  Sec. 97.401(b) of this chapter and to act on behalf
   of the Commission with respect to the operation of amateur stations during
   such temporary state of communications emergency.

   (p) Performs such other functions and duties as may be assigned or referred
   to it by the Commission or the Defense Commissioner.

   [ 71 FR 69035 , Nov. 29, 2006, as amended at  73 FR 9463 , Feb. 21, 2008]

Subpart B—Delegations of Authority

   Authority:   Sec. 5, 48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155.

General