ility,
and interoperability of local emergency communications
systems to meet the goals of the National Emergency
Communications Plan;
(2) reporting annually to the relevant Regional
Administrator, the Director for Emergency
Communications, the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, and the Assistant Secretary
for Communications and Information of the Department of
Commerce on the status of its region in building robust
and sustainable interoperable voice and data emergency
communications networks and, not later than 60 days
after the completion of the initial National Emergency
Communications Plan under section 1802, on the progress
of the region in meeting the goals of such plan;
(3) ensuring a process for the coordination of
effective multijurisdictional, multi-agency emergency
communications networks for use during natural
disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters through the expanded use of emergency
management and public safety communications mutual aid
agreements; and
(4) coordinating the establishment of Federal,
State, local, and tribal support services and networks
designed to address the immediate and critical human
needs in responding to natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
SEC. 1806. [6 U.S.C. 576] EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PREPAREDNESS CENTER.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Emergency
Communications Preparedness Center (in this section referred to
as the ``Center'').
(b) Operation.--The Secretary, the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General of the United
States, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies
or their designees shall jointly operate the Center in
accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding entitled,
``Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (ECPC)
Charter''.
(c) Functions.--The Center shall--
(1) serve as the focal point for interagency
efforts and as a clearinghouse with respect to all
relevant intergovernmental information to support and
promote (including specifically by working to avoid
duplication, hindrances, and counteractive effo
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