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Boxer
and Feinstein: Help First Responders Communicate During Emergencies
The
Boxer-Feinstein amendment would provide $70 million
September 9, 2004
Washington, D.C.- During debate on the Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill today, U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne
Feinstein (both D-CA) introduced an amendment to boost funding for
interoperable communications systems used by first responders in
emergency situations.
The Boxer-Feinstein amendment would provide $70 million in grants
for state and local agencies to improve existing communications
systems or purchase new systems. The funding for the grants was
100 percent offset by a cut in the "human resource" personnel system
account which includes outside consulting contracts for management
improvement.
Boxer said, "Our first responders must be able to communicate with
one another in real-time during emergency situations- we shouldn't
be asking our firefighters and police to rely on their personal
cell phones to do their jobs. We need to do our job at the national
level and provide our first responders with the resources to protect
our communities in the case of a terrorist attack or emergency.
It's far more important than bringing in fancy outside consultants."
Feinstein said, "In all too many jurisdictions, police, fire, and
emergency medical services can't communicate with each other via
radio when an emergency occurs - this was the case on September
11, during the Columbine massacre, and following the Oklahoma City
bombing. Increased funding for interoperable communications means
faster responses, better coordination between agencies, and lives
saved."
In March, Boxer introduced the First Responders Homeland Defense
Act, which included a provision that would provide $300 million
in grants each year for 5 years for interoperable communications
systems.
The Boxer-Feinstein amendment was defeated by a one vote margin
of 46-45.
Boxer said, "This very close vote gives me confidence that we are
on the verge of winning this issue for our first responders and
for the American people."
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For more information on Senator Boxer please go to:
http://boxer.senate.gov
For more information on Senator Feinstein please go to:
http://feinstein.senate.gov
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