[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCING PUBLIC SAFETY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS (PSIC) GRANT 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
will help America's first responders keep their communities safer by 
solving a dangerous deficiency in their emergency communications 
capabilities. Our first responders are also our first preventers, and 
their ability to communicate seamlessly and effectively on an 
interoperable network during an emergency helps save lives and protect 
critical infrastructure.
  For over 7 years, I have worked to prevent a tragic repetition of the 
communications problems that resulted in thousands of deaths on 9/11--
when the lack of an interoperable network prevented the NYPD from 
warning firefighters that the Twin Towers were glowing red and it was 
time to evacuate.
  My home State of California is prone to natural disasters, especially 
earthquakes and wild fires. Alarmingly, there are still instances when 
our firefighters have relied on runners and drivers to relay messages 
during an emergency. This occurs when multiple companies respond to the 
same incident, each carrying different equipment.
  An important piece of the solution to this crisis is the Public 
Safety Interoperable Communications, PSIC, grant program, which 
provides funding to purchase interoperable communications equipment and 
undertake training to use it.
  Since 2007, the PSIC program has provided nearly $1 billion in grants 
to state and local governments, and the deadline to spend the funds is 
next year. All states were required to develop Statewide Communications 
Interoperability Plans, SCIP. Unfortunately, according to the 
Department of Homeland Security, its approval of these plans was 
delayed until the spring of 2008, in part because DHS wanted to ensure 
they were subject to appropriate environmental reviews. This is 
understandable; however, the delay in approving SCIP plans means that 
not all of the grant funds can be spent before next year's deadline.
  The PSIC program is vital to public safety; it should be allowed the 
necessary time and funding. The legislation I introduce today--which is 
a companion bill to S.1694 introduced by Senators Rockefeller and 
Hutchinson--would guarantee a one-year extension to spend the grant 
money, with an option for an additional year approved on a case-by-case 
basis.
  While I urge prompt action on this bill, this will in no way relieve 
us of the obligation to complete the build-out of the 700 megahertz 
spectrum so that we develop true national interoperability. I am 
enormously disappointed that, despite universal agreement on the goal, 
real progress has been so slow.
  In conclusion, the PSIC program must be continued. It is a building 
block in the effort to equip our communities to respond to a terrorist 
attack or natural disaster. I urge prompt consideration and passage.

                          ____________________