WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported the “Interoperable Emergency Communications Act,” (S.385).  This bill provides the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) more guidance on the awarding of $1 billion in interoperable emergency communications grants to police, firemen, and emergency medical personnel. The bill was originally introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate. 

“The strategic technology reserve provisions in this bill will assist emergency response agencies in pre-positioning communications equipment around the country, including in Alaska , so that these reserves can quickly be activated in the event of a major emergency or natural disaster,” said Senator Stevens.  “I was also encouraged to see that the Committee accepted my amendment to require the likelihood of natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, be specifically considered when the grants are awarded.”

This legislation reinforces the September 30, 2007 deadline set by Congress for distribution of the $1 billion of interoperable communications grants.  The September 30, 2007 deadline was mandated by Section 4 of the Call Home Act (P.L. 109-459), which was enacted on December 22, 2006.

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. Senator Stevens noted that in remote areas, like Alaska , it is critical to have infrastructure nearby that can be quickly deployed in the event of a disaster.

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