DHS Announces Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grants

July 18, 2007 -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today $968 million Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grants to help state and local first responders improve public safety communications and coordination during a natural or man-made disaster.

The PSIC grant program will assist public safety agencies in the acquisition, deployment, and training of interoperable communications systems to enhance interoperable communications of voice, data, and/or video signals. Also, released today are the grant guidance and application kits. Applications are due in 30 days, and grants will be awarded by September 30, 2007, as required by the Call Home Act of 2006.

The U.S. Congress authorized $1 billion to establish the PSIC program as a one-time, formula-based, matching grant program in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The program will fast track awards to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

PSIC funds were allocated using the PSIC Allocation Formula, which is based on the DHS method to identify threats, vulnerabilities and consequences. The grant program also is consistent with existing guidance from the SAFECOM Program Office within the DHS Office for Interoperability and Compatibility.

Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Allocations