Wednesday, June 30, 2004

News: Mayors Measure Interoperable Communication Between Cities, Regions, States and the Federal Government - Jun 29 2004 05:00AM: "The U. S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) recently released its 2004 Interoperability Report, which measures the reliability and effectiveness of communications systems between local city agencies and federal, regional, state and other local entities in responding to disasters. "

Saturday, June 26, 2004

News-Miner - Past News: "WASHINGTON--The U.S. Senate's annual defense spending bill proposes to put almost $30 million into a seamless radio system for federal, state and local agencies in Alaska."

Friday, June 25, 2004

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hearing (6/23): "Protecting Homeland Security: A Status Report on Interoperability Between Public Safety Communications Systems"

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Report: Nextel to get 1.9 GHz airwaves: "Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell has recommended to fellow commissioners that the FCC award 10 GHz of spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band to Nextel Communications, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The award would be part of a deal that would require Nextel to reband 800 MHz airwaves to solve interference problems that plague public-safety communications. The other FCC commissioners are expected to unanimously approve the award, the paper said."

Thursday, June 10, 2004

From the Silver Bullet Hotline: "A 'smart bullet' that can be fired at a target and then wirelessly transmit back useful information has been developed by US researchers."
State CIOs take flight: "Progress has been made, but there are still serious gaps in first-responder communications, [Gerry] Wethington [Missouri CIO] said. In January, when a tanker truck fell off an overpass near Baltimore, first responders were confused about who was on the scene. "

Monday, June 07, 2004

DHS Fact Sheet: Regional Technology Integration Initiative: "The Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology directorate, is implementing a new initiative for Regional Technology Integration (RTI) to facilitate the transition of innovative technologies and organizational concepts to regional, state, and local jurisdictions. Four urban areas across the country have been selected to be the initial pilot locations for this program. The Cincinnati, Ohio, urban area is one of these four. All of the selected regions are currently participating in the DHS Urban Area Security Initiative and have demonstrated a willingness and capacity to adopt advanced and innovative concepts for emergency preparedness and public safety. "

Friday, June 04, 2004

Congress heeds state issues: "As part of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers' fourth annual DC Fly-In, 15 state CIOs spoke to Congress about national issues such as communications interoperability, information security and state-specific topics. In the past, CIOs spent much of their time explaining the basic issues, but this year congressional members and their staffers not only understood basic IT concepts but also sought input."

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Data sharing tops homeland security priorities: "When it comes to homeland security, the top concern among ordinary Americans dovetails with that of first responders: improving information and data sharing across law enforcement, health and emergency agencies, according to a new report released today by the Council for Excellence in Government."

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Safecom chief defends program: "The leader of the federal government's wireless interoperability program said a recent General Accounting Office report criticizing its progress was completed before many program accomplishments were completed"