---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 571"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "571"
heading: "Emergency Communications Division"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/571"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter XIII — Emergency Communications"
---

# §571. Emergency Communications Division

- (a) **In general—** There is established in the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) an [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications Division. The Division shall be located in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1).
- (b) **Executive Assistant Director—** The head of the Division shall be the Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications (in this section referred to as the “Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3)”). The Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) shall report to the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1). All decisions of the Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) that entail the exercise of significant authority shall be subject to the approval of the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1).
- (c) **Responsibilities—** The Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) shall—
  - (1) assist the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) in developing and implementing the program described in [section 194(a)(1) of this title](/usc/6/194.md?p=a-1), except as provided in [section 195 of this title](/usc/6/195.md);
  - (2) administer the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5)’s responsibilities and authorities relating to the SAFECOM Program, excluding elements related to research, development, testing, and evaluation and standards;
  - (3) administer the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5)’s responsibilities and authorities relating to the Integrated Wireless Network program;
  - (4) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach to support and promote 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;
  - (5) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach and foster the development of interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities by [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), regional, local, and [tribal governments](/usc/6/701.md?p=16) and public safety [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1), and by regional consortia thereof;
  - (6) provide technical assistance to [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), regional, local, and [tribal government](/usc/6/701.md?p=16) officials with respect to use of interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities;
  - (7) coordinate with the Regional [Administrators](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) regarding the activities of Regional [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications Coordination Working Groups under [section 575 of this title](/usc/6/575.md);
  - (8) promote the development of standard operating procedures and best practices with respect to use of interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities for [incident](/usc/6/677a.md?p=6) response, and facilitate the sharing of information on such best practices for achieving, maintaining, and enhancing interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities for such response;
  - (9) coordinate, in cooperation with the National Communications System, the establishment of a national response capability with initial and ongoing planning, implementation, and training for the deployment of communications equipment for relevant [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), local, and [tribal governments](/usc/6/701.md?p=16) and [emergency response providers](/usc/6/101.md?p=6) in the event of a catastrophic [loss](/usc/6/444.md?p=5) of local and regional [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications services;
  - (10) assist the President, the National Security [Council](/usc/6/681.md?p=2), the [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security [Council](/usc/6/681.md?p=2), and the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Office of Management and Budget in ensuring the continued operation of the telecommunications [functions](/usc/6/101.md?p=9) and responsibilities of the Federal Government, excluding spectrum management;
  - (11) establish, in coordination with the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, requirements for interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities, which shall be nonproprietary where standards for such capabilities exist, for all public safety radio and data communications systems and equipment purchased using [homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) security assistance administered by the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5), excluding any alert and warning device, technology, or system;
  - (12) review, in consultation with the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) for Grants and Training, all interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications plans of Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), local, and [tribal governments](/usc/6/701.md?p=16), including Statewide and tactical interoperability plans, developed pursuant to [homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) security assistance administered by the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5), but excluding spectrum allocation and management related to such plans;
  - (13) develop and update periodically, as appropriate, a National [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications Plan under [section 572 of this title](/usc/6/572.md);
  - (14) perform such other duties of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) necessary to support and promote 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;
  - (15) perform other duties of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) necessary to achieve the goal of and maintain and enhance interoperable [emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) communications capabilities; and
  - (16) fully participate in the mechanisms required under [section 652(c)(7) of this title](/usc/6/652.md?p=c-7).
- (d) **Performance of previously transferred functions—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) shall transfer to, and administer through, the Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) the following programs and responsibilities:
  - (1) The SAFECOM Program, excluding elements related to research, development, testing, and evaluation and standards.
  - (2) The responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer related to the implementation of the Integrated Wireless Network.
  - (3) The Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program.
- (e) **Coordination—** The Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) shall coordinate—
  - (1) as appropriate, with the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility with respect to the responsibilities described in [section 195 of this title](/usc/6/195.md); and
  - (2) with the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) of the Federal [Emergency Management](/usc/6/701.md?p=7) [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) with respect to the responsibilities described in this subchapter.
- (f) **Sufficiency of resources plan—**
  - (1) **Report—** Not later than 120 days after October 4, 2006, the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) shall submit to Congress a report on the resources and staff necessary to carry out fully the responsibilities under this subchapter.
  - (2) **Comptroller General review—** The Comptroller General shall review the validity of the report submitted by the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) under [paragraph (1)](#f-1). Not later than 60 days after the date on which such report is submitted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the findings of such review.
- (g) **Reference—** Any reference to the Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Executive Assistant [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) Communications.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title XVIII, § 1801, as added Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 671(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1433; amended Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4179; Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XC, § 9001(e)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4767; Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXI, § 7143(c)(3), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3662.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Another section 1801 of Pub. L. 107–296 was renumbered section 1901 and is classified to section 591 of this title.

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted “Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency” for “Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security” in two places.

2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283, § 9001(e)(1)(A), in heading, substituted “Executive Assistant Director” for “Assistant Director” and, in text, substituted “Executive Assistant Director for Emergency Communications (in this section referred to as the ‘Executive Assistant Director’).” for “Assistant Director for Emergency Communications.” and “Executive Assistant Director” for “Assistant Director” in two places.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283, § 9001(e)(1)(B), substituted “Executive Assistant Director” for “Assistant Director for Emergency Communications” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, § 9001(e)(1)(C), substituted “Executive Assistant Director” for “Assistant Director for Emergency Communications” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–283, § 9001(e)(1)(D), substituted “Executive Assistant Director” for “Assistant Director for Emergency Communications” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–283, § 9001(e)(1)(E), added subsec. (g).

2018—Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A)(i), substituted “Emergency Communications Division” for “Office of Emergency Communications” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A)(ii), substituted “Emergency Communications Division” for “Office of Emergency Communications” and inserted at end “The Division shall be located in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A)(iii), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The head of the office shall be the Director for Emergency Communications. The Director shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A)(iv)(I), inserted “Assistant” before “Director” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(16). Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A)(iv)(II)–(IV), added par. (16).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(6)(A)(v), (vi), inserted “Assistant” before “Director” in introductory provisions.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(c), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4175, provided that: “Any reference to— the Office of Emergency Communications in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Emergency Communications Division; and the Director for Emergency Communications in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications.”

Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L. 109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered to refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of this title.

### Savings Clause

Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 675, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1444, provided that: “Nothing in this subtitle [subtitle D (§§ 671–675) of title VI of Pub. L. 109–295, enacting this subchapter and sections 195 and 195a of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 101 of this title] shall be construed to transfer to the Office of Emergency Communications any function, personnel, asset, component, authority, grant program, or liability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as constituted on June 1, 2006.”

### Rule of Construction

Nothing in amendment made by Pub. L. 117–263 to be construed to alter the authorities, responsibilities, functions, or activities of any agency (as such term is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502) or officer or employee of the United States on or before Dec. 23, 2022, see section 7143(f)(1) of Pub. L. 117–263, set out as a note under section 650 of this title.

### Continuation in Office

Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XC, § 9001(e)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4768, provided that: “The individual serving as the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications of the Department of Homeland Security on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021] may serve as the Executive Assistant Director for Emergency Communications on and after that date.”

### Director for Emergency Communications Authorized To Serve as Assistant Director of Emergency Communications

Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(b)(2), Nov. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 4175, provided that: “The individual serving as the Director for Emergency Communications of the Department of Homeland Security on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 16, 2018] may continue to serve as the Assistant Director for Emergency Communications of the Department on and after such date.”