j0262497 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FISCAL YEAR 2012 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCE: SAFECOM GUIDANCE ON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANTS OVERVIEW SAFECOM is a public safety-driven communications program managed by the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), with support from the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC). SAFECOM works to build partnerships among all levels of government, linking the strategic planning and implementation needs of the emergency response community with Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, to improve emergency response through more effective and efficient interoperable wireless communications. Together, DHS and the SAFECOM Executive Committee and Emergency Response Council shape emergency communications policy and standards to ensure projects are compatible, interoperable, and most importantly, meet the needs of end-users. OEC, in coordination with Federal agency partners and State and local stakeholders, develops the annual SAFECOM Guidance which provides technical information and program guidance for applicants applying for Federal grant funding for emergency communications projects. The FY 2012 SAFECOM Guidance serves two purposes. First, its content on policies and standards is designed to advance national emergency communication goals and objectives established in the National Emergency Communications Plan.1 Secondly, the recommendations are intended to help stakeholders develop projects that meet critical emergency communication needs, as defined in their Statewide Interoperability Plan,2 and to improve emergency communications nationwide. 1 The NECP is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/national_emergency_communications_plan.pdf. 2 More information on Statewide Interoperability Plans, also known as Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans or SCIPs, can be found on the OEC website at: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1225902750156.shtm. 3 To find your Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (also known as SWIC) or Statewide Plan Point of Contact, please email OEC atoec@hq.dhs.gov. The FY 2012 SAFECOM Guidance provides a list of emergency communication priorities. In FY 2012, grantees are strongly encouraged to target grant funding toward the following priorities: • Priority 1: Leadership and Governance • Priority 2: Statewide Planning for Emergency Communications • Priority 3: Emergency Communications Training and Exercises • Priority 4: Other Integral Emergency Communications Activities • Priority 5: Standards-Based Equipment • Priority 6: Planning for Investments in Broadband and Other Advanced Technologies Grantees are strongly encouraged to coordinate with the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator3 and with other state and local partners to ensure compatibility among existing and planned emergency communications systems and equipment, and consistency with the Statewide Interoperability Plan. Grantees should submit a letter of support from the SWIC for emergency communications projects as part of their application. 3 Grantees and their sub-recipients should also ensure that any proposed project that includes the support or purchase of emergency communications personnel, training, exercises, and/or equipment comply with the other sections of the FY 2012 SAFECOM Guidance, including compliance with SAFECOM technical standards, unless otherwise noted by a program’s funding opportunity announcement.4 The full SAFECOM guidance may be found at http://www.safecomprogram.gov/default.aspx. Specific questions regarding SAFECOM requirements should be directed to OEC at OEC@hq.dhs.gov. 4 Technical standards and requirements vary among Federal grant programs (especially grants funding research and testing). Applicants should review a program’s grant guidance to ensure that specific standards, terms, and conditions under the grant are met.