NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th 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: January 28, 2009 David Fiske at (202) 418-0513 ACTING CHAIRMAN COPPS ANNOUNCES DAVID FURTH AS ACTING CHIEF OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU Acting Chairman Copps announced today that David Furth will be the Acting Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau: “As I have often stated, the first and most important obligation of government is protecting the public safety. I am pleased that David Furth will bring his 16 years of FCC experience and commitment to public safety to ensure that the critical role played by our Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau continues unabated.” Since September 2006, Mr. Furth has served as Associate Bureau Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. In this capacity, he has played a lead role on a variety of legal and policy issues in the Bureau, including the 800 MHz rebanding proceeding and the 700 MHz public safety broadband proceeding. Prior to that time, Mr. Furth was Associate Bureau Chief and Counsel in the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. He joined the FCC in 1992. On the departure of Derek Poarch, the first Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Acting Chairman Copps said: “As the first Chief of the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Derek Poarch has significantly advanced the Commission’s public safety agenda through the Bureau’s work on key policy issues, outreach to the public safety community, and development of enhanced capabilities for responding to major emergencies. The FCC and the public owe Derek Poarch a debt of gratitude for all his efforts and I wish him well in his future endeavors.” Mr. Furth becomes the Acting Bureau Chief effective at close of business on January 30, 2009. - FCC -