6 U.S.C. § 576 — Emergency Communications Preparedness

Page 288 TITLE 6—DOMESTIC SECURITY § 576 1 So in original. Subsection (b) of this section does not contain a paragraph (1). 1439; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(B), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Another section 1805 of Pub. L. 107–296 was renum- bered section 1905 and was classified to section 595 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–387, § 2(a)(4), Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5163. AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–278 substituted ‘‘As- sistant Director for Emergency Communications’’ for ‘‘Director for Emergency Communications’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CHANGE OF NAME Reference to the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications deemed to be a reference to the Exec- utive Assistant Director for Emergency Communica- tions, see section 571(g) of this title, enacted Jan. 1, 2021. § 576. Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (a) Establishment There is established the Emergency Commu- nications Preparedness Center (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Center’’). (b) Operation The Secretary, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Attor- ney General of the United States, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies or their designees shall jointly operate the Center in accordance with the Memorandum of Under- standing entitled, ‘‘Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (ECPC) Charter’’. (c) Functions The Center shall— (1) serve as the focal point for interagency efforts and as a clearinghouse with respect to all relevant intergovernmental information to support and promote (including specifically by working to avoid duplication, hindrances, and counteractive efforts among the participating Federal departments and agencies)— (A) the ability of emergency response pro- viders and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and (B) interoperable emergency communica- tions; (2) prepare and submit to Congress, on an an- nual basis, a strategic assessment regarding the coordination efforts of Federal depart- ments and agencies to advance— (A) the ability of emergency response pro- viders and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and (B) interoperable emergency communica- tions; (3) consider, in preparing the strategic as- sessment under paragraph (2), the goals stated in the National Emergency Communications Plan under section 572 of this title; and (4) perform such other functions as are pro- vided in the Emergency Communications Pre- paredness Center (ECPC) Charter described in subsection (b)(1).1 (Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1806, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1440.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Another section 1806 of Pub. L. 107–296 was renum- bered section 1906 and is classified to section 596 of this title. § 577. Urban and other high risk area commu- nications capabilities (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Chair- man of the Federal Communications Commis- sion and the Secretary of Defense, and with ap- propriate State, local, and tribal government of- ficials, shall provide technical guidance, train- ing, and other assistance, as appropriate, to sup- port the rapid establishment of consistent, se- cure, and effective interoperable emergency communications capabilities in the event of an emergency in urban and other areas determined by the Secretary to be at consistently high lev- els of risk from natural disasters, acts of ter- rorism, and other man-made disasters. (b) Minimum capabilities The interoperable emergency communications capabilities established under subsection (a) shall ensure the ability of all levels of govern- ment, emergency response providers, the private sector, and other organizations with emergency response capabilities— (1) to communicate with each other in the event of an emergency; (2) to have appropriate and timely access to the Information Sharing Environment de- scribed in section 485 of this title; and (3) to be consistent with any applicable State or Urban Area homeland strategy or plan. (Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1807, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1441.) § 578. Definition In this subchapter, the term ‘‘interoperable’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘interoperable communications’’ under section 194(g)(1) of this title. (Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1808, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1441.) § 579. Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish the Interoper- able Emergency Communications Grant Pro-