Lawmakers Grill Officials Over Interoperability Problems

Last week, members of a House Homeland Security subcommittee lashed out at federal officials for their lackluster efforts on encouraging the development of communication systems that can work across jurisdictions. Long before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, "the FCC dropped the ball" on such interoperability by not giving emergency responders the "necessary networking and bands," charged Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)., the panel's ranking member. The agency "left our first responders out to dry, and somebody's got to be held accountable," complained Rep Pascrell, who contended that the FCC has more of an interest in curtailing obscenity and approving communications mergers than public safety. Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) said interoperability problems did not suddenly begin on 9/11, but have been plaguing emergency responders for decades. Reichert said that when he was a law enforcer in the early 1970s, he tried to notify fellow officers of an armed suspect lying in wait. But his radio failed, and he was forced to tackle the young offender to prevent him from shooting unsuspecting colleagues. "That's not five years ago, that's almost 30 years ago," he said.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-HIQI1130790853553.html