The FCC's Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) officially began operations on Monday, September 25, 2006. PSHSB is responsible for developing, recommending, and administering the agency's policies pertaining to public safety communications issues. These policies include 9-1-1 and E9-1-1; operability and interoperability of public safety communications; communications infrastructure protection and disaster response; and network security and reliability. PSHSB also serves as a clearinghouse for public safety communications information and takes the lead on emergency response issues.

A primary goal of PSHSB is to support and advance initiatives that further strengthen and enhance the security and reliability of the nation's communications infrastructure and public safety and emergency response capabilities that will better enable the FCC to assist the public, first responders, law enforcement, hospitals, the communications industry and all levels of government in the event of a natural disaster, pandemic or terrorist attack.