The resources in this section identify funding solutions to maintaining interoperable networks.

Funding and Sustainment Resources - September 2016
This Funding and Sustainment Resources booklet contains several documents (listed below) developed by the Funding and Sustainment Committee.

Emergency Communications Grant Guidance

2016 SAFECOM Grant Guidance
This annual document provides recommendations to grantees seeking funding for interoperable emergency communications projects, including allowable costs, items to consider when funding emergency communications projects, grants management best practices for emergency communications grants, and information on standards that ensure greater interoperability.

Fiscal Year 2016 Emergency Communications Financial Assistance Program
This document provides a list detailing Federal financial assistance opportunities that support emergency communications.

Improving Grant Management: SAFECOM Recommendations for Public Safety Agencies
This document highlights SAFECOM grants best practices from the DHS Inspector General report on grants management.

Sustaining Public Safety Communications Systems

Funding Mechanisms for Public Safety Communications Systems
This document provides an overview of various methods of funding emergency communications systems (e.g., bonds, special tax, surcharges), and specific examples of where these methods have been used to fund state and local systems.

Funding Mechanisms for Public Safety Communications Systems Table
This document presents additional funding mechanisms for State and Localities funding emergency communications system

Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Trio - LMR 101, LMR for Decision Makers, and LMR for Project Managers

• “LMR 101, Part I: Educating Decision Makers on LMR Technologies,” includes basic information for use in educating decision-makers about the importance of LMR technologies. The paper includes simple diagrams, terminology, history, and current usage of LMR technologies by public safety agencies.
• “LMR for Decision Makers, Part II: Educating Decision Makers on LMR Technology Issues,” provides information about emerging technologies, and the impact such technologies will have on LMR systems as they evolve. Information includes discussion of the LMR-to-LTE transition, and the need to sustain mission critical voice through such transition.
• “LMR for Project Managers, Part III: A P25 Primer for Project Managers and Acquisition Managers,” delivers an introduction about standards-based (i.e., Project 25 [P25]) purchasing, and an overview of the P25 standard explaining its importance to public safety interoperability. 

Land Mobile Radio Brochure
The Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Brochure was developed to provide stakeholders with a hand-out to give to state and local decision-makers and elected officials to explain why it is important to fund and sustain LMR.

• Land Mobile Radio Brochure (Web Version)
  This version of the LMR Brochure is only available in an online format.
• Land Mobile Radio Brochure (Print Version)
  This version of the LMR Brochure is available to copy and print.

Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Action Memorandum
The purpose of the LMR Action Memorandum is to provide public safety stakeholders with basic information they can give to state and local decision-makers and elected officials on why it is important to fund and sustain public safety radio systems.

Project 25 (P25) Waiver Requirements Letter
On August 11, 2016, SAFECOM delivered a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer its expertise, assistance, and recommendations for strengthening grantee compliance with Project 25 (P25) standards.

SAFECOM Guidance for Public Safety Entities Interested in Broadband Purchasing Equipment
This document provides grantees with federal guidance on broadband purchasing (i.e., when it is allowed). The language is pulled from the FY 2015 SAFECOM Grant Guidance.

Federal Interoperability Assistance Support- Funding Strategy Best Practice Report - Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN)
This 2002 report from the PSWN captures key findings from interoperability assistance efforts in Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming.

Interoperability Business Case: An Introduction to Ongoing Local Funding
Advises the public safety community on the elements needed to build a strong business case to demonstrate the needs for funding interoperable communications.