1. Office of Emergency Communications
Briefing to NPSTC
Mr. Greg Garcia
Assistant Secretary for
Cyber Security and Communications
Col Victoria Velez, USAF
Acting Director

3. NATIONAL
COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEM
NATIONAL
CYBER SECURITY
DIVISION
OFFICE OF
EMERGENCY
COMMS

4. OEC: What is it? Homeland Security Act, 2007-- Title XVIII Mandates Transfer of 3 Programs
Office of Emergency Communications
Research
Development
Testing
Evaluation
Standards
IWN / WMO
Joint DHS/DOJ/DOT project for consolidated wireless activities
Technical Assistance to recipients of DHS grants
Non-OEC SAFECOM Capabilities
Policy/Guidance development for strengthening interoperable communications
Our Mission Statement:
The OEC supports and promotes the ability of emergency responders and government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters, and works to ensure, accelerate, and attain interoperable and operable emergency communications nationwide.

5. Some OEC Roles and Responsibilities
Establish capabilities supporting seamless, interoperable communications across government at all levels
Administer SAFECOM, ICTAP, and IWN
Close collaboration with S&T and FEMA
Conduct outreach and foster development of interoperable emergency communications capabilities by State, local, tribal governments (S/L/T)
Provide Technical Assistance (TA) in the use of interoperable emergency communications to S/L/T
Promote Standard Operating Procedures, Best Practices, and tools for incident response interoperable emergency communications capabilities
Support the Executive Branch as required
And we’re already working tough issues…

6. Statewide Plans are due to DHS on 1 Nov 07!!
Public Safety Interoperability Communications (PSIC) Grants and Statewide Plans
OEC is participating in the PSIC Grant process with FEMA and NTIA
Includes support to Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans (SCIP)
OEC will:
Provide Technical Assistance (TA) upon request
Provide feedback on draft SCIP plans submitted on 30 Sep 07
Anticipated turnaround of comments expected within 14 days
Participate in Peer Reviews (w/FEMA) to evaluate and approve SCIPs
Provide TA after SCIP are approved, if needed
Statewide Plans are due to DHS on 1 Nov 07!!

7. Technical Assistance
OEC/ICTAP will provide technical assistance to support the development of SCIPs
Assistance will be tailored to the needs of the individual State or territory, and may include:
Evaluating existing SCIPs (if applicable)
Supporting statewide plan workshops to review and modify draft plan
Assisting with Investment Justifications
Providing guidance for addressing the criteria outlined in the Guidebook as well as PSIC specific requirements
Providing CASM training

8. Combined PSIC and SCIP Timeline
Key Activities and Dates
FY 2007
FY 2008 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q
Release Grant Guidance
Package and
Funding Allocation
NTIA and DHS
Sign PSIC MOU
Deploy
Technical
Assistance
(Ongoing)
Review Preliminary
Statewide Plans
Provide Feedback to
States / Territories
Statewide
Planning Workshop
Peer Review Final
Plans--Provide
Feedback to
States/Territories
Provide TA
As Needed for
PSIC and HSG
Federal Activities
5% Funding
Accessible
For Use
Complete Review
of Grant Guidance
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
State/Territory Activities
Attend Statewide
Planning Workshop
If Plan Needs Additional Work
Submit Updated Plan
Submit Preliminary
Statewide Plans
(Optional)
Request
Technical Assistance
Request / Receive
Technical Assistance
For Statewide Plans
Submit Narratives,
Forms, and Applications
Deadline for Submitting
Final Statewide Plans
- OEC Activity
As of 11 May 07

9. National Communications Baseline Assessment
To get to where you need to go,…you have to know where you are!
The National Communications Baseline Assessment is currently due for completion by 1 Oct 07
But, SCIPs are due November 1st…
OEC will take a two-phased approach to ensure inclusion of the SCIP information
Once completed, DHS will have a better understanding of:
A range of capabilities needed by the emergency response providers and relevant government entities
First responder needs vice current capabilities
Federal, State, local, and tribal government needs vice current capabilities
Seams, gaps, obstacles existing in the emergency communications realm

10. National Emergency Communications Plan
As mandated by Congress, OEC will develop a National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP):
Done in cooperation with:
State, local, and tribal governments
Federal Departments and Agencies
Emergency response practioners
Private sector
NECP will provide recommendations to support and promote the ability of practitioners and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in an event
NECP will ensure, accelerate, and attain interoperable emergency communications nationwide

11. To the proud members of the NPSTC: Here’s to many, many more!
Happy 10th Anniversary!!
Here’s to many, many more!
From the OEC Team