The SCIP is a one-to-three-year strategic planning document that contains the following components: Introduction – Provides the context necessary to understand what the SCIP is and how it was developed. It also provides an overview of the current emergency communications landscape. Vision and Mission – Articulates Texas’ vision and mission for improving emergency and public safety communications interoperability over the next one-to-three-years. Implementation Plan – Describes Texas’ plan to implement, maintain, and update the SCIP to enable continued evolution of and progress toward the State’s interoperability goals.

Emergency communications breakdowns undermined response efforts during terrorist attacks in 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In response, federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have increased efforts to enhance emergency communications. This report identifies: (1) vulnerabilities, if any, to emergency communications systems; (2) federal assistance available or planned to first responders for addressing vulnerabilities or enhancing emergency communications; and (3) challenges, if any, with federal emergency communications efforts. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.