Senator Coons praises inclusion of funds for public safety communications network in payroll tax cut package

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the inclusion of provisions in the payroll tax cut extension to create a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for public safety officials. The Senate is expected to pass the legislation shortly after noon on Friday.

By setting aside the D-Block portion of the wireless spectrum for first responders, Congress today is delivering on one of the last outstanding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report. The report recommended creating a public safety network to allow responders from different agencies to communicate during emergencies.

“Americans are blessed to have talented and dedicated fire, EMS, and police personnel looking out for us,” Senator Coons said. “Until now, though, first responders from different jurisdictions often could not communicate to coordinate a regional response to emergencies. In today’s era of wireless communications, this was a gaping hole in our law enforcement toolkit with real consequences for public safety. By building a dedicated, interoperable public safety network, we provide a critical resource to our law enforcement officers, and we will all be safer because of it.”

Today’s legislation creates a national First Responder Network Authority, funded by a portion of the proceeds from the auction of the underutilized broadcast spectrum. This network will provide police, firefighters, emergency medical services and other public safety officials with access to the spectrum and advanced wireless broadband communications. Uninterrupted communication is essential to public safety in emergency situations. 

In addition, today’s legislation provides funding for other vital public safety research and development, including the deployment of Next Generation 911 services, which would complement the public safety broadband network by allowing citizens to share data such as text, photos and video with 911 call centers.

“These upgrades in technology can save lives,” Senator Coons said. “Giving victims of a crime the ability to send a text message or camera-phone picture to 911 will provide law enforcement with evidence and information in real-time.”

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