Today, the FCC voted to reorganize itself to address the emergency response communications crisis by approving the establishment of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

The new Bureau will be responsible for coordinating the FCC's public safety, disaster management, and national security activities. It will have responsibility for:

(1) Public safety communications, including 911 centers and first responders
(2) Priority emergency communications
(3) Alerts to U.S. citizens
(4) Continuity of government operations
(5) Infrastructure reporting and analysis during emergencies
(6) Disaster outreach
(7) Communications infrastructure protection
(8) Network interoperability and reliability
(9) Network security

Noting that a comprehensive communications response system is critical to ensuring that we do not repeat the tragedies of the past, Commissioner Michael J. Copps called the establishment of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau "an important first step we should have taken four and one-half years ago."

We couldn't agree more.

The First Response Coalition applauds the FCC's initiative and looks forward to working with the FCC and like-minded individuals and organizations to give emergency responders the resources they need to protect our communities.