out this title.
(b) Cybersecurity and Communications.--There is in the
Department an Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and
Communications.
(c) United States Fire Administration.--The Administrator
of the United States Fire Administration shall have a rank
equivalent to an assistant secretary of the Department.

SEC. 515. [6 U.S.C. 321D] NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER.

(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``situational
awareness'' means information gathered from a variety of
sources that, when communicated to emergency managers and
decision makers, can form the basis for incident management
decisionmaking.
(b) Establishment.--The National Operations Center is the
principal operations center for the Department and shall--
(1) provide situational awareness and a common
operating picture for the entire Federal Government,
and for State, local, and tribal governments as
appropriate, in the event of a natural disaster, act of
terrorism, or other man-made disaster; and
(2) ensure that critical terrorism and disaster-
related information reaches government decision-makers.
(c) State and Local Fire Service Representation.--
(1) Establishment of position.--The Secretary
shall, in consultation with the Administrator of the
United States Fire Administration, establish a fire
service position at the National Operations Center
established under subsection (b) to ensure the
effective sharing of information between the Federal
Government and State and local fire services.
(2) Designation of position.--The Secretary shall
designate, on a rotating basis, a State or local fire
service official for the position described in
paragraph (1).
(3) Management.--The Secretary shall manage the
position established pursuant to paragraph (1) in
accordance with such rules, regulations, and practices
as govern other similar rotating positions at the
National Operations Center.

SEC. 516. [6 U.S.C. 321E] CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER.

(a) In General.--There is in the Department a Chief Medical
Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) Qualifications.--The individual appointed as Chief
Medical Officer shall possess a demonstrated ability in and
knowle