*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 60378.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 For Immediate Release: News Media Contact: October 19, 2006 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418- 0511 e- mail: rosemary. kimball@ fcc. gov Indian Telecommunications Initiatives Public Safety and Homeland Security Regional Workshop and Roundtable in Polson, Montana, Updated Location Information Tribal Representatives, FCC and others to participate in intergovernmental Indian Telecommunications Initiatives program examining issues critical to Public Safety and Homeland Security Communications in Indian Country Washington, DC -- The Commission has changed the location for the first day of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Regional Workshop and Roundtable (“ ITI Montana”) that is scheduled be held in Polson, MT, on October 24 and 25, 2006. Day One (Tuesday, October 24) Workshop and Roundtable will be held at the Ronan Community Center, 300 Third Avenue, Ronan, MT (406) 676- 4271 beginning at 8: 30 a. m. and concluding at 6: 00 p. m. Driving directions from Polson, MT, to Ronan, MT, are as follows: Starting from the Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort, located on 303 US Hwy 93, Polson, MT: follow US Hwy 93 for 11.2 miles, turn right on 3rd Avenue NW, go 0.3 miles, and the Ronan Community Center will be located on the left. Day Two (Wednesday, October 25) Workshop and Roundtable will be held at the Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort, 303 U. S. Hwy 93 East, Polson, MT, beginning at 8: 00 a. m. and concluding at 5: 00 p. m. ITI Montana is being sponsored in cooperation with the National Congress of American Indians (“ NCAI”), the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (“ ATNI”) and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (“ CSKT”). This workshop is dedicated specifically to Public Safety and Homeland Security issues. The event is designed as a workshop and intergovernmental consultative meeting between FCC senior staff and the tribal leaders and representatives who have responsibility for homeland security, public safety, and information technology security, and will focus on such topics as emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure protection in the communications sector and public safety communications, the FCC’s 1 pilot program for the provision of telemedicine services, interoperability and preparedness. The purpose of this event is to give the tribes tools to plan for the protection of critical communications infrastructure on, or serving, tribal lands. A final agenda will be released prior to the event. The FCC’s Indian Telecommunications Initiatives The FCC’s ITI is a comprehensive program that seeks to promote understanding and cooperation and trust among tribes and tribal organizations, the FCC and other governmental agencies, and the telecommunications industry. The ITI program seeks to build partnerships, identify potential solutions, and bring affordable, quality telecommunications services to Indian Country. The ITI program goals -- to increase the telephone penetration rate on Tribal lands; facilitate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure on tribal lands; and inform tribes about federal government programs, including Universal Service Fund programs -- are undertaken in Indian Country by the FCC through tribal outreach, coordination and consultation. The FCC’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA), located within the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, is responsible for coordinating the agency’s tribal outreach and consultation. Registration for “The Public Safety - Homeland Security ITI” and Additional Information The FCC’s Public Safety – Homeland Security ITI is free of charge and open to all interested parties. Tribal leaders and representatives that have public safety, IT security, and homeland security responsibilities are particularly encouraged to attend. To register for the ITI Workshop and Roundtable, or to obtain additional information, please call 1- 888- CALL- FCC (1- 888- 225- 5322) press number 5 and follow the prompts to leave your full contact information. Alternately, call 202- 418- 2513, fax 202- 418- 1414, or e- mail your full contact information to iti- info@ fcc. gov. For more information on the ITI Workshop and Roundtable or the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, please contact Shana Barehand, Senior Attorney and Tribal Liaison, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202- 418- 0385, shana. barehand@ fcc. gov , or Ginny Kennedy, Outreach/ External Affairs Coordinator, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202- 418- 2328, ginny. kennedy@ fcc. gov. Updates and further information will also be made available on the FCC’s Tribal Initiatives website at: http:// www. fcc. gov/ indians. - FCC - 2