The Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) supports the Secretary of Homeland Security in developing, implementing, and coordinating interoperable and operable communications for the emergency response community at all levels of government.

The mission of the Office of Emergency Communications is to support and promote the ability of emergency responders and government officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters, and work to ensure, accelerate, and attain interoperable and operable emergency communications nationwide.

Congress established OEC in response to the communications challenges resulting from Hurricane Katrina through the Fiscal Year 2007 Appropriations Act. Opening its doors on April 1, 2007, OEC is the newest office within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Cybersecurity and Communications within the National Protection and Programs Directorate.