Washington, D.C. – On September, 8, Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) was scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Public Safety Communications to highlight the critical communication needs of the nation’s first responders.
Weldon’s testimony focused on public safety communications interoperability and methods being used to implement recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, which will provide additional broadcast spectrum to those risking their lives daily for their communities.
“At present, cellular telephone systems and other commercial products are interfering with the public safety communications systems used by firefighters, law enforcement, EMS and state and local agencies,” said Weldon. “As a result, public safety personnel often experience a degraded or loss of signal in certain geographic locations, causing their lives to be at risk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun the process of remedying this by reviewing options to utilize new technologies and by permanently realigning the spectrum usage. Despite these efforts, the FCC is receiving considerable resistance from many companies who are primarily concerned with receiving an equitable portion of any benefits that may arise from spectrum relocations.”
“On February 13, I began the fight with 42 other Members of Congress by sending a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, requesting that he take permanent and decisive measures to remedy this issue. The letter that was written does not endorse any of the individual plans under review by the FCC; however, it calls for a realignment of the intermingled spectrum – the root cause of the interference. The letter also placed a paramount requirement that any action taken by the FCC shield public safety agencies from being burdened with the costs of a transition or necessary equipment upgrades.”
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is in the process of assessing legislation which will provide increased assignment of radio spectrum for public safety officers. The 9/11 Commission has recommended Congress support federal funding to high-risk urban areas such as New York City and Washington, DC so that civilian authorities, local first responders, and the National Guard will have communication connectivity with one another.
