Emergency Communications Preparedness Center

The Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (ECPC) is the federal interagency focal point for interoperable and operable communications coordination. Its members represent the federal government’s broad role in emergency communications, including regulation, policy, operations, grants, and technical assistance.

The ECPC is comprised of 14 federal departments and agencies: U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, the Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, and the Treasury. The Federal Communications Commission and the General Services Administration are also members of the ECPC.

Background

Following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission Report and lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Congress identified the need for stronger coordination and national leadership to address gaps in emergency responders’ abilities to communicate across jurisdictions and functions. To address these issues, Congress authorized the establishment of the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (ECPC) (Section 671, Pub. Law No. 109-295).

Governing Structure

As the primary decision-making body for the ECPC, the Executive Committee includes representatives from each Department and Agency, and sets the ECPC strategic agenda. The Steering Committee is responsible for developing action plans based on the priorities identified by the Executive Committee, and monitoring progress on their implementation. ECPC Focus Groups execute these activities and plans.

Strategic Agenda

The ECPC’s mission is to improve emergency communications collaboration across the federal government and align initiatives with national level policy and guidance. The ECPC Executive Committee has established the following strategic agenda:

• Increase efficiencies at the federal level through joint investment and resource sharing
• Improve alignment of strategic and operational emergency communications planning across levels of government 
• Improve alignment of federal investments in state/local/tribal capabilities to ensure focus on critical gaps and priorities
• Leverage collective resources to drive Research & Development (R&D) and standards for existing and emerging technologies