Genachowski Wants Extensive Review of FCC's Emergency Preparedness

As one of his first initiatives and less than 24 hours after being sworn in, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has sent a memo to the acting chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau calling for a "top-to-bottom" review of the FCC's own preparedness for an emergency. And he wants it fast. "In the event of a crisis, the Commission should be prepared to act decisively," he said. Chairman Genachowski gave the bureau 30 days to prepare a briefing that outlines the current FCC emergency management plan, including the chain of command, contact points with FEMA and other agencies, command-and-control operations in the field and at headquarters, ongoing training and more.