WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today titled Keeping Us Safe: The Need for a Nationwide Public Safety Network.

Witness List:

Mr. Stephen E. McClure, Director, Jackson County Emergency Medical Services, Ripley, West Virginia

Mr. Robert Davis, Chief of Police, San Jose, California and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association

The Honorable Annise Parker, Mayor, Houston, Texas

Ret. Admiral James Barnett, Jr., Chief, Public Safety Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, District of Columbia

Mr. Jeffrey D. Johnson, Chief Executive, Western Fire Chiefs Association and Former President, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Salem, Oregon

Dr. Ken Zdunek, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Roberson & Associates, Chicago, Illinois

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“September is when we remember. We remember that nine years ago we witnessed the horror of September 11th. We remember that five years ago we watched the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We remember because even with the passage of time, these are wounds that do not heal and losses we will never forget. At home in West Virginia, we also know tragedy all too well. Just this April the Nation joined us in mourning the 29 brave souls killed in the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine. The grim reality is that in every state represented in this Congress, there are emergencies and crises. This is why I firmly believe that our public safety officials are owed the resources they need to do their job. And this is why nine years after September 11th, we should be ashamed that they lack a nationwide, interoperable wireless broadband communications system.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“My paramedics can be within twenty minutes of the trauma center and unable to communicate with anyone; radios won’t work, cell phones have no signal and land lines in the area can be scarce. Communications problems are not unique to my county or to West Virginia. From Hawaii to Florida, from Texas to Maine and all parts in between, we have the same problems. Funding to build infrastructure and sufficient spectrum to communicate are two major steps forward that will provide all Americans with the quality of emergency services they expect.”

Mr. Stephen E. McClure, Director, Jackson County Emergency Medical Services, Ripley, West Virginia

“We have come here with a straight-forward, yet urgent request. Almost a decade has past since the tragic events of 9/11, and our nation needs a mission-critical grade, interoperable, public safety, wireless broadband network controlled by public safety. Mr. Chairman, your bill, S. 3756 provides us exactly what we need to make this network a reality. We thank you for your leadership, and we urge all of your colleagues in Congress to support your bill.”

Mr. Robert Davis, Chief of Police, San Jose, California and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association

“It is unconscionable that nine years after September 11 and five years after Hurricane Katrina we still do not have a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network. [S. 3756] would move us significantly closer to the nationwide network that our first responders need to meet the challenges of the next decade. All Americans deserve to be able to live in communities that are safe and secure, and effective communications among police, fire, and other first responders are essential to this. We look forward to working with you to see the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovations Act enacted into law this year.”

The Honorable Annise Parker, Mayor, Houston, Texas

“I appreciate the Committee’s leadership for taking up this important issue. The costs of not being prepared are too great. The costs of not seizing this technological opportunity cannot be recovered. There are vast areas of agreement on the plan for a public safety broadband network, and I know that we can build from that agreement to develop together a smart plan going forward that meets the needs of our Nation’s first responders. I look forward to working with public safety, our federal partners and you on this important endeavor.”

Ret. Admiral James Barnett, Jr., Chief, Public Safety Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, District of Columbia

“Mr. Chairman, S. 3756, the legislation that you introduced, will allow public safety to realize its nationwide communications goal by providing both the spectrum and funding which is required. I am joined in my support for S. 3756 by members of the Public Safety Alliance which is committed to the build-out of this nationwide public safety broadband network. Our goal is supported by the seven national organizations representing state and local government as well as many of the leading telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers.”

Mr. Jeffrey D. Johnson, Chief Executive, Western Fire Chiefs Association and Former President, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Salem, Oregon

“While there is understandable frustration about the delay in creating an interoperable public safety broadband network, any decision about how to proceed may still be premature until the FCC, with guidance from the public safety community and industry, is able to fully evaluate the complex issues that implementation of such a network raises.”

Ken Zdunek, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Roberson & Associates, Chicago, Illinois

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