---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 195a"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "195a"
heading: "Emergency communications interoperability research and development"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/195a"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter III — Science and Technology in Support of Homeland Security"
---

# §195a. Emergency communications interoperability research and development

- (a) **In general—** The Under [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) for Science and Technology, acting through the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, shall establish a comprehensive research and development program to support and promote—
  - (1) the ability of [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6) and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18), and other man-made disasters; and
  - (2) interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities among [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6) and relevant government officials, including by—
    - (A) supporting research on a competitive basis, including through the Directorate of Science and Technology and [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security Advanced Research Projects [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1); and
    - (B) considering the establishment of a [Center](/usc/6/681.md?p=1) of Excellence under the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) of [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security [Centers](/usc/6/681.md?p=1) of Excellence Program focused on improving [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6)’ communication capabilities.
- (b) **Purposes—** The purposes of the program established under [subsection (a)](#a) include—
  - (1) supporting research, development, testing, and evaluation on [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communication capabilities;
  - (2) understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the public safety communications systems in use;
  - (3) examining how current and emerging technology can make [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6) more effective, and how Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), local, and [tribal government](/usc/6/701.md?p=16) [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) can use this technology in a coherent and cost-effective manner;
  - (4) investigating technologies that could lead to long-term advancements in [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities and supporting research on advanced technologies and potential systemic changes to dramatically improve [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications; and
  - (5) evaluating and validating advanced technology concepts, and facilitating the development and deployment of interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communication capabilities.
- (c) **Definitions—** For purposes of this section, the term “interoperable”, with respect to [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications, has the meaning given the term in [section 578 of this title](/usc/6/578.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title III, § 315, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 673(a), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1443.)