WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Ranking Member, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, issued the following statement after President Obama signed S. 1694, a bill that extends the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program established under the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to remain available until expended through fiscal year 2012.  The PSIC grant program provides funding for state projects that arm public safety personnel with interoperable communications equipment and the necessary training for system users. 

“The PSIC grant program extension is important public safety communications legislation, and I am thrilled to see it has been signed by the President,” said Chairman Rockefeller.  “Interoperable communications resources help first responders keep Americans out of harm’s way and protect the brave emergency response personnel who put their lives on the line.  I am enormously proud to say that we have taken another step forward in our strong commitment to public safety and providing resources for those who do all they can to keep us safe.  Today, America and our brave first responders are all safer—and that is a very good thing.”

“Extending this grant program is an important step in helping state and local first responders improve public safety communications so crucial during natural or man-made disasters,” said Senator Hutchison.  “Preserving this critical funding will help the nation’s public safety personnel bring their equipment into the 21st century.”

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