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HARMAN'S EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LEGISLATION PASSES ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEEOct 15, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- October 15, 2009 Contact: Max Weihe (202) 225-2156 HARMAN'S EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LEGISLATION PASSES ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEE Lawmaker says legislation is the "lifeline for critical communications equipment for first-responders" Washington, DC - Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) issued the following statement today as her legislation (HR 3633) to extend the deadline to spend Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant funds was reported by voice vote by the Energy & Commerce Committee. The program provides funding to states to supply public safety personnel with interoperable communications equipment and training. "This legislation is the lifeline for critical communications equipment for first-responders. Regional systems - like the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) - rely on this grant funding and will greatly enhance their ability to respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters," said Harman. In a letter of support, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said, "The extension is particularly critical for public safety agencies in Los Angeles County which have dedicated their PSIC allocations, as well as a significant portion of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program Funds, for the development of a shared regional interoperable communications system." The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. said, "As public safety communications interoperability remains a matter of national priority, this legislation is a crucial first step toward ensuring that state and local public safety professionals not only have the resources they need, but the time necessary to implement their technology projects as well." Since 2007, the PSIC program has provided nearly $1 billion in grants to state and local governments, and the deadline to spend the funds is next year. Unfortunately, Department of Homeland Security review of States' interoperability plans was delayed until the spring of 2008. The delay has prevented many states from using PSIC grant funds by next year's deadline. HR 3633 - companion legislation to S.1694 introduced by Senators Rockefeller and Hutchinson - would extend the deadline by one year with an option for an additional year approved on a case-by-case basis. Harman has fought for a national interoperable communications network since 9/11, when the NYPD in helicopters overhead was unable to warn firefighters that the Twin Towers were glowing red and in danger of imminent collapse. Thousands of lives were lost. She introduced the Homeland Emergency Response Operations (HERO) Act in 2005, legislation which set a firm deadline of Jan. 1, 2007, for the FCC to provide public safety agencies sole access to analog spectrum. The 700 mhz spectrum freed by the DTV transition - known as the D Block - is to be built-out for public safety. "The fact remains that the U.S. lacks a national interoperable communications network. Progress has been far too slow and the need is urgent," said Harman. HR 3633 is supported by the Major Cities Police Chiefs, National Emergency Management Association, National Governors Association, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc., Telecommunications Industry Association, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. ### Max Weihe Office of Rep. Jane Harman |