Public Safety Communications: Policy, Proposals, Legislation and Progress Page: 2 of 32
This report is part of the collection entitled: Congressional Research Service Reports and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Public Safety Communications: Policy, Proposals,
Legislation and Progress
Summary
Since September 11, 2001, the effectiveness of America's communications
capabilities in support of the information needs of first responders and other public
safety workers has been a matter of concern to Congress. The Intelligence Reform
and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) included sections that
responded to recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, in its report of July
2004, and by others in recent years, regarding public safety communications.
Nonetheless, there is much still to be done to bring the United States to the threshold
of adequate communications capabilities in emergencies. Congress can expect that
the many advocates for public safety, in all its forms, will continue to push for
improvements in public safety communications and interoperability.
This report provides an analysis of major policy questions regarding public
safety communications. The 9/11 Commission recommendations for action to
improve communications and the testimony and comments of experts provide a
framework to review what has been accomplished since September 11, what
legislative initiatives could be considered by the 109th Congress, and longer term
goals and concerns. Major issues include (1) unifying spectrum policy and
communications policy at every level; (2) using signal corps type skills and
technology, as suggested by the 9/11 Commission, to achieve interoperability; and
(3) evaluating the pace and effectiveness of federal actions taken to-date.
Congress has responded by requiring a number of studies and pilots, the results
of which could shape policy decisions in the future. In particular, both Congress and
the Administration have set requirements for the Department of Homeland Security
that include developing a strategy for spectrum use and evaluating its role in public
safety communications.
A bill (H.R. 1646) to make spectrum available for public safety has been
reintroduced by Representative Jane Harman. The bill, the Homeland Emergency
Response Operations Act, or HERO Act, previously introduced in the 107th and 108th
Congresses, was cited by the 9/11 Commission, which recommended its passage.
Many policy discussions regarding federal funding for public safety communications
revolve around identifying risk-based formulas to distribute grants among states.
Examples of legislation introduced to modify the way funds are distributed are S. 21
(Senator Collins) and H.R. 1544 (Representative Shays). Citing the continued lack
of communications capabilities within the New York City Fire Department, H.R.
1795 would fund a new system for the city's firefighters that would provide a
network and radios incorporating many leading edge technologies and networking
concepts. Taking a different approach, the Public Safety Interoperability
Implementation Act (H.R. 1323, Representative Stupak) would place some spectrum
auction proceeds in a trust fund to provide grants to improve public safety
communications.This report will be updated.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Public Safety Communications: Policy, Proposals, Legislation and Progress, report, April 28, 2005; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc808580/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.