On July 21, Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Sen. John McCain introduced The First Responders Protection Act of 2010 (S. 3625) to provide first responders with additional broadband spectrum.

On July 21, the Public Safety Alliance and 40-plus national organizations supporting its position, took their message of public safety D-Block allocation and funding for the nationwide public safety broadband network to Capitol Hill. This effort, which was led by APCO International, resulted in the introduction of Senate legislation that would allocate an additional 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band (D Block) to public safety and provide $11 billion to build and maintain a nationwide broadband network.

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who joined public safety officials for a press conference that afternoon, introduced The First Responders Protection Act of 2010 (S. 3625). The bill would provide first responders with additional broadband spectrum to help build a 21st century interoperable communications network. The legislation would allocate to public safety the D Block spectrum, rather than allowing the Federal Communications Commission to auction this spectrum to a commercial carrier. It would also establish two grant programs, totaling $11 billion, to help public safety organizations build and maintain the network. Funding for the grants would be offset by selling other spectrum.

“Chairman Lieberman and Senator McCain are long-time supporters of public safety and we are, once again, immensely indebted to them for their steadfast leadership in moving difficult issues forward,” APCO International President Richard Mirgon said. “Any success from this point forward will be a direct result of their actions today.”

This bill is a companion to H.R. 5081 — Broadband for First Responders Act that was introduced by House Homeland Security ranking member Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), who chairs the panel’s Emerging Threats Subcommittee. As of July 23, there are 57 co-sponsors for H.R. 5081. APCO International and all Public Safety Alliance partners have endorsed both S. 3625 and H.R. 5081.

In addition, on July 21, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WVa.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released a statement regarding his plan to introduce the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act. The legislation will also offer a revenue stream to assist public safety with the construction and development of the network.

Chairman Rockefeller says, “The legislation will provide public safety with an additional 10 MHz of spectrum to support a national, interoperable wireless broadband network that will help protect people and keep them from harm.”

In response to this support, Mirgon said, “Chairman Rockefeller’s support and leadership on this top priority issue for our nation’s public safety and first responder communities is critical and we are eager to work cooperatively with him and his colleagues on the Committee and in the Senate to realize a long-overdue 9/11 Commission recommendation.”

About the Author
Yucel Ors is APCO International’s director of legislative affairs. Contact him via e-mail at orsy@apcointl.org.