Press Release - Feds Approve Colorado Communication Plan
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008
CONTACT
Mason Whitney, 720.852.6602
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
FEDS APPROVE COLORADO COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved Colorado's Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) and awarded the state $14.3 million to help implement it.
THE SCIP and federal funding will enhance and improve communication technology and capabilities for first-responders and public safety agencies across the state. Funds will be used to purchase digital trunked radios, communications towers and antennas, upgrades to emergency operations centers, and communications training and exercises for first-responders.
The Department of Homeland Security is distributing $968 million nationwide to enhance interoperable communications capabilities in every state and U.S. territory.
More than 80 percent of the Colorado grant funds will go to local public safety agencies. Each agency will be required to provide 20 percent matching funds from non-federal sources for each project. The performance period for the grant is three years.
The Colorado SCIP was created through a collaborative effort that included local, regional, tribal and state government entities as well as private sector and non-governmental organizations.
"The projects that will be funded in Colorado through this grant award will make our public safety agencies better prepared for any incident that may occur within the state," Gov. Ritter said.