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."

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

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."

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. "

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. "

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."

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."

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"

Secretary Ridge's Remarks on the Council for Excellence in Government Report: "This Department is taking steps in the short term to fix the immediate communications problems that were dramatized at the Trade Center on 9/11. In the end, when we say 'interoperability' we are basically talking about a 'technology translator' -- the capability of first responders to communicate and understand each other regardless of technology, mode of communication, or frequency. Already, we have identified technical specifications for a baseline interoperable communications capability, so that first responders will have an interim way to talk to each other during a crisis. "

DHS - A Better Prepared America: A Year in Review: "The Department of Homeland Security is launching a new office for interoperability and compatibility that will coordinate communications interoperability, equipment and training compatibility between federal, state, and local governments. By coordinating and leveraging the vast efforts spread across the federal government, this office will reduce unnecessary duplication in programs and spending, and identify and promote best practices. "

Security budgets fail to keep pace with the increasing threat: "... In the House, Reps. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and Jim Turner (D-Texas) have introduced a similar bill, the Connect First Responders Act. The proposal authorises $5 billion during the next five years to resolve telecommunications interoperability problems. The bill also creates a new office in DHS to focus solely on communications interoperability issues."

Nebraska Homeland Security Funding: "Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns has announced the distribution of $19-million to local communities as part of the 2004 Homeland Security grant allocations. The focus of this year's grants is on communications and improving local, regional and state interoperability."

Dems back DHS wireless office: "House Democrats introduced a bill today that would establish a wireless communications office within the Homeland Security Department and a $5 billion grant program to help first responders become interoperable."

USNews.com: Why emergency responders still can't communicate with each other (5/24/04): "More than two years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, emergency response agencies around the nation still can't talk to each other in a crisis. New York is a case in point. The city's police and fire agencies still aren't communicating, even though their inability to work together on 9/11 contributed to the deaths of firefighters when the second tower of the World Trade Center collapsed."

County considers several radio options: "Though the switch is on for a state-operated public safety radio tower in Jackson (MI), county officials are not ready to fully connect, especially when mulling over upgrades to its own dispatch system. "

DHS Deputy Secretary James Loy before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, May 6, 2004: "The Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T) within DHS has been tasked to lead the planning and implementation of the Office of Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) in coordination with other DHS programs. By coordinating and leveraging the vast efforts spread across the federal government, OIC will reduce unnecessary duplication in programs and spending, identify and promote best practices, and coordinate federal activities related to research and development, testing and evaluation, standards, technical assistance, training, and grant funding related to interoperability."

FCW - Homeland security with a regional flavor: "The Kansas City, Mo., Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee lives up to the regional part of its name. It covers two states, eight counties, more than 1.9 million people and even brings Washington, D.C., into the picture because critical parts of the federal infrastructure are housed there."

FCW - Firm resolve but no easy resolution: "Lawmakers and others are pressuring federal officials to address long-standing homeland security problems, from a lack of communications interoperability to mistaken admission of criminals into the country and inadequate federal agency plans to operate effectively after a catastrophic event. "

Federal interagency radio pilot hits airwaves in Seattle: "The Integrated Wireless Network would be a common radio network capable of handling voice, data and multimedia for all federal law enforcement, first-response and homeland security agencies."