The resources in this section identify funding solutions to maintain interoperable networks.
Funding and Sustainment Resources - September 2016
This Funding and Sustainment Resources booklet contains several documents (listed below) developed by the Funding and Sustainment Committee.
Emergency Communications Grant Guidance
FY 2019 SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants
This annual document provides recommendations to grantees seeking funding for interoperable emergency communications projects, including allowable costs, items to consider when funding emergency communications projects, grants management best practices for emergency communications grants, and information on standards that ensure greater interoperability.
SAFECOM Guidance Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides background information on the SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants (SAFECOM Guidance).
SAFECOM Guidance Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding P25 Standards and Compliance
The SAFECOM Guidance Frequently Asked Questions document provides public safety agencies and grantees with information on Project 25 (P25) standards and compliance.
Fiscal Year 2019 Emergency Communications Financial Assistance Programs
This document provides a list detailing 2019 Federal financial assistance opportunities that support emergency communications.
Improving Grant Management: SAFECOM Recommendations for Public Safety Agencies
This document highlights SAFECOM grants best practices from the DHS Inspector General report on grants management.
The Roadmap to 2020
The Roadmap to 2020 outlines key considerations of converging emergency communications initiatives leading up to 2020, including systems, technology, and policies. This guide is an educational tool and resource for program managers and their grantees.
Communications Continuity and Resiliency Informational Primer for Grant Recipients
This primer was developed as guidance for grant recipients to ensure consistent investments for public safety communications technologies, equipment purchase, and compliance enforcement. It includes background on communications continuity and resiliency, best practices, and resources for additional information.
Sustaining Public Safety Communications Systems
2018 Emergency Communications System Lifecycle Planning Guide
This Guide provides assistance to stakeholders in their efforts to fund, plan, procure, implement, support, and maintain public safety communications systems, and eventually to replace and dispose of system components.
2018 Emergency Communications System Lifecycle Planning Guide Fact Sheet
This Fact Sheet provides an overview of the 2018 Emergency Communications System Lifecycle Planning Guide.
Funding Mechanisms for Public Safety Communications Systems
This document provides an overview of various methods of funding emergency communications systems (e.g., bonds, special tax, surcharges), and specific examples of where these methods have been used to fund state and local systems.
Funding and Sustainment Methods for Public Safety Communications Systems (2016)
This document presents funding and sustainment methods used by state and local agencies to fund emergency communications systems.
Funding and Sustainment Methods for Public Safety Communications Systems (2015)
This document presents funding and sustainment methods used by state and local agencies to fund emergency communications systems.
Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Trio - LMR 101, LMR for Decision Makers, and LMR for Project Managers
- “LMR 101, Part I: Educating Decision Makers on LMR Technologies,” includes basic information for use in educating decision-makers about the importance of LMR technologies. The paper includes simple diagrams, terminology, history, and current usage of LMR technologies by public safety agencies.
- “LMR for Decision Makers, Part II: Educating Decision Makers on LMR Technology Issues,” provides information about emerging technologies, and the impact such technologies will have on LMR systems as they evolve. Information includes discussion of the LMR-to-LTE transition, and the need to sustain mission critical voice through such transition.
- “LMR for Project Managers, Part III: A P25 Primer for Project Managers and Acquisition Managers,” delivers an introduction about standards-based (i.e., Project 25 [P25]) purchasing, and an overview of the P25 standard explaining its importance to public safety interoperability.
Land Mobile Radio Brochure
The Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Brochure was developed to provide stakeholders with a hand-out to give to state and local decision-makers and elected officials to explain why it is important to fund and sustain LMR.
- Land Mobile Radio Brochure (Web Version)
This version of the LMR Brochure is only available in an online format. - Land Mobile Radio Brochure (Print Version)
This version of the LMR Brochure is available to copy and print.
Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Action Memorandum
The purpose of the LMR Action Memorandum is to provide public safety stakeholders with basic information they can give to state and local decision-makers and elected officials on why it is important to fund and sustain public safety radio systems.
Project 25 (P25) Waiver Requirements Letter
On August 11, 2016, SAFECOM delivered a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer its expertise, assistance, and recommendations for strengthening grantee compliance with Project 25 (P25) standards.
Life Cycle Planning Tool
In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security (CISA) released the Emergency Communications System Life Cycle Planning Guide to help practitioners plan for and deploy public safety communications systems. This document provides additional information on funding considerations during each phase of the life cycle.
SAFECOM Guidance for Public Safety Entities Interested in Broadband Purchasing Equipment
This document provides grantees with federal guidance on broadband purchasing (i.e., when it is allowed). The language is pulled from the FY 2015 SAFECOM Grant Guidance.
Interoperability Business Case: An Introduction to Ongoing Local Funding
Advises the public safety community on the elements needed to build a strong business case to demonstrate the needs for funding interoperable communications.
Additional Resources
Federal Interoperability Assistance Support- Funding Strategy Best Practice Report - Public Safety Wireless Network (PSWN)
This 2002 report from the PSWN captures key findings from interoperability assistance efforts in Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming.