Measure To Improve Emergency Communications Introduced In U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairmen Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) and Ted Stevens (R-AK) introduced the Interoperable Emergency Communications Act to provide the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) more guidance on the award of $1 billion in interoperable emergency communications grants to public safety. The legislation does not interfere with the Sept. 30, 2007 deadline set by Congress for distribution of the $1 billion of interoperable communications grants. The bill would also allow up to $100 million of the expedited $1 billion be used to establish technology reserves that would assist emergency response agencies in pre-positioning communications equipment in states or regional facilities that can be quickly activated in the event of a major emergency or natural disaster.

House Homeland Security Chairman Seeks Federal Funding For Interoperability
The nation's cities need grants dedicated to urban interoperability programs, U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss) told the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting on Wednesday. "That way, cities won't be forced to rob Peter to pay Paul by using large chunks of homeland security grant funding -- in some instances 80% -- to purchase communications equipment instead of securing bridges, ports and buildings," Thompson said, as quoted by Communications Daily. "As a former volunteer firefighter for 26 years and as a former locally elected official, I know that the interoperability problem costs well into the billions." Congress should provide long-term funding to develop interoperable communication networks. A recent House Bill (HR-1) would provide such a program but would not fund it. For more background, visit Technology Daily.