The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) is pleased to announce that the FY 2017 SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants (SAFECOM Guidance) has been posted to the SAFECOM website at: https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/funding.  SAFECOM Guidance is updated annually to provide relevant information on policies, eligible costs, technical standards, and best practices for state, territorial, tribal, and local grantees investing federal funds in emergency communications projects.

In its eleventh edition, SAFECOM Guidance continues to evolve to meet the needs of the public safety community.  This year’s Guidance reflects the current emergency communications landscape, investment priorities, technical standards that help to ensure interoperability, and available supporting materials for implementing emergency communications grants. Key changes to the Guidance include additional cybersecurity resources, FirstNet guidance on broadband projects, and implications of data information sharing.

To members of the SAFECOM/NCSWIC, thank you for your contribution to this year’s Guidance and helping us ensure that emergency communications policy is consistent across the Federal Government.  The efforts of the SAFECOM/NCSWIC Funding and Sustainability Committee shaped the Guidance so that it better serves our community.  For questions or additional information on the FY 2017 SAFECOM Guidance, please email OEC at:  oec@hq.dhs.gov.