Updated Emergency Communications Governance Guide for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Officials Released

Author: Cary Martin and Robin Beatty, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security (CISA)

SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators are pleased to present an update to the Emergency Communications Governance Guide for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Officials.

Since March 2018, representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) Governance Guide Working Group have worked diligently to update the Governance Guide, last released in 2015. The guide aims to provide a resourceful, multifaceted framework that encourages agencies and partners to establish decision making bodies, for the benefit of the Emergency Communications Ecosystem.

Based on results of the SAFECOM Nationwide Survey, challenges for emergency communications partners include involving new entities beyond traditional responders in decision making, and integrating emerging technologies into public safety communications systems. The Governance Guide addresses these issues and encourages the establishment of formal agreements and governance bodies to overcome them.

For any questions related to the 2018 SLTT Governance Guide, please email CISA at slttgovguide@hq.dhs.gov.