[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4386 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4386
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to procure the development
and provision of improved and up-to-date communications equipment for
the New York City Fire Department, including radios.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 18, 2004
Mrs. Maloney (for herself, Mr. Shays, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Nadler, and Mr.
McNulty) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to procure the development
and provision of improved and up-to-date communications equipment for
the New York City Fire Department, including radios.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``9/11 Can You Hear Me Now Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) After two terrorist attacks it is time to fix the
communications system for the New York City Fire Department.
(2) During its response to the 1993 bombing of the World
Trade Center in New York City, the New York City Fire
Department's radios did not work in the twin towers of the
World Trade Center. The resulting lack of communication
complicated operations but did not result in the death of any
firefighter.
(3) Eight years later, on September 11, 2001, the World
Trade Center was attacked again and the fire department's radio
system failed again.
(4) Soon before the collapse of Tower One of the World
Trade Center, fire department officials tried in vain to radio
firefighters to evacuate the building.
(5) The firefighters' radio system failed the firefighters
in Tower One and as a result many were not able to receive this
warning. The failure of the radio system was largely
responsible for the death of many of the 343 firefighters who
died in the collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers.
(6) Since September 11, 2001, the fire department has taken
steps to improve the communications system that failed them.
However, many tall buildings in New York City have not
installed repeaters that are needed to boost signals, and the
signals are often lost in high-rise buildings and underground.
(7) In August 2003, New York City experienced a blackout.
During the blackout the fire department's radio system was
again found not to work reliably during emergency situations or
in high buildings.
(8) The dispatch system currently used by the New York City
Fire Department was acquired in the early 1970s and hampers the
ability of the department to fully communicate with its
firefighters and provide appropriate detailed information about
the buildings and locations to which they respond.
(9) Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
executive branch officials have repeatedly warned that future
terror attacks are not a matter of if, but when. The Secretary
of Homeland Security has identified New York City as one of the
main terrorist targets.
(10) With New York City remaining a top terrorist target,
such communications system should be a national priority.
(11) A new state-of-the-art communications system and
upgrades to the critical information dispatch system for the
New York City Fire Department should be--
(A) seamless from the receipt of a 911 call to the
dispatch of the firefighter; and
(B) interoperable with other public safety offices
within the City of New York.
SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT TO PROCURE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR NEW YORK CITY
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, by not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, procure
development and provision of a communications system for the New York
City Fire Department, including appropriate radios for the entire
department and upgrades to the critical information dispatch system of
the department.
(b) Requirements.--
(1) Radios.--Radios procured pursuant to this section must
be capable of operating in all locations, and under all
conditions, in which firefighters can reasonably be expected to
work in responding to an emergency in New York City.
(2) Supplemental communication device.--Any communications
system procured pursuant to this section must include provision
to each firefighter of a supplemental radio communication
device that--
(A) allows the firefighter to transmit audio and
radio emergency notification warning signals to other
firefighters whenever the firefighter is in distress
and in immediate need of assistance; and
(B) has the capability to operate automatically in
a passive mode by transmitting audio and radio messages
that will relay the firefighter's identification and
location if the firefighter--
(i) becomes incapacitated and motionless;
and
(ii) is unable to physically transmit a
call for help.
(3) Dispatch system.--Upgrades to the critical information
dispatch system procured pursuant to this section must--
(A) allow the fire department to communicate with
firefighters in all locations, and under all
conditions, in which firefighters can reasonably be
expected to work in responding to an emergency in New
York City;
(B) provide useful, detailed data concerning all
likely terrorist target locations in the City of New
York; and
(C) be capable of providing to responding
firefighters, instantaneously, details about particular
buildings and other locations to assist them in making
decisions about how to mitigate a terrorist attack and
save lives and property.
(c) Testing.--Radios, any dispatch system upgrades, and
supplemental communication devices procured pursuant to this section
must have been tested to ensure they will operate in all locations and
under all conditions in which firefighters can reasonably be expected
to work in responding to an emergency in New York City.
(d) Coordination.--In carrying out this section the Secretary shall
coordinate with the City of New York to ensure that the communications
system procured under this section is--
(1) compatible with the plans of the City of New York to
upgrade its 911 system; and
(2) interoperable with other public safety communications
systems.
(e) Progress Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Congress a
report on progress made in carrying out this section, on--
(1) February 26, 2005; and
(2) September 11, 2005.
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