More money urged for emergency communications

MORE MONEY URGED FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
[SOURCE: Reuters]
More money and modern technology is needed to help police, fire and other first responders better communicate when responding to terrorist attacks and natural disasters, two former U.S. government officials said on Thursday. Already $1 billion in federal money has been set aside in the coming years to help communities develop interoperable systems to ensure their radios can communicate with each other during crises. Some say much more is needed. "However, $1 billion will not be sufficient to deploy advanced networks nationwide," said Michael Gallagher and Larry Irving, the former heads of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Irving held the job during the Clinton administration and Gallagher resigned from the post earlier this year. "Congress must continue to address the funding needs of first responders and take action to ensure that future funds are available to complete the task," they said in a joint white paper. Money needs "to be spent better and smarter," Gallagher said. He argued that authorities should be buying 21st century technology, including digital radios, and use high-speed Internet technologies. They also urged the Department of Homeland Security to set benchmarks as part of a national plan for achieving interoperability, such as covering half the U.S. population within five years and rest within 10 years.
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