Public Safety Communications Act

The Public Safety Communications Act establishes the Office of Public Safety Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This new Office will be headed by an Associate Administrator for Public Safety Communications, a career position, who will report directly to the Assistant Secretary. Its core responsibilities include administering federal grant programs related to Next Generation 9-1-1 and analyzing public safety policy communications issues. Additionally, the Office will provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary on NTIA's public safety communications policy and evaluate the domestic impact of related matters before government bodies. A key duty involves the oversight of studies and the prototyping and deployment of advanced communications technologies to enhance public safety. Crucially, the Office will manage and oversee the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) , including conducting an annual audit of its activities, which may be performed by a contractor.