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"Communication Among Cities, States, Government is Challenge"
"BOSTON -- Communication among cities, regions, states and the federal government remains a challenge, according to the June 2004 Interoperability Report released today at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Homeland Security Monitoring Center here.The report measures the reliability and effectiveness of communications systems between local city agencies and federal, regional, state and other local entities in responding to disasters. Survey responders from 192 cities address issues related to: 1) the level of interoperability communication across city, state, and federal public safety agencies; 2) obstacles to interoperability and whether the federal mechanism for distributing Homeland Security funds by states delayed city interoperable investment; and 3) investment required for a city to become fully interoperable and whether and how much federal funding is expected or has been made available to aid city interoperable implementation."As we learned in the days and nights immediately following 9-11, we must ensure that our nation's first responders are equipped and trained to talk to each other. Lives depend on it," comments Martin O'Malley, mayor of Baltimore and co-chairman of the center's Homeland Security Task Force.Specifically, the report shows:77% of the cities report interoperable capability across police and fire departments and 74% report that they are interoperable with neighboring city police and fire departments.80% do not have interoperable communications with the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice.86% do not have interoperable capability with the state transportation department and 94 % do not have interoperable capability between the rail facility, police, and emergency medical service (EMS).The most glaring statistic is the lack of funding at the local, state or federal level. Interoperable systems are expensive and raising the needed revenue is an enormous challenge for our nation's cities:Cities with populations under 100,000 report an average of $4.7 million in interoperable funding is needed to achieve full interoperability.The average amount of interoperability funding needed to achieve full interoperability for cities of 100,001 to 400,000 is $5.4 million.Cities over 400,001 report an average of $30 million is needed to achieve full interoperability.75% of the cities reported that they have not received or been notified that they will be receiving federal funds for interoperable communications.Of the major city-to-federal findings, 58% of the cities cited the current federal mechanism for distributing the majority of homeland security funding through the states has delayed investment in interoperable communications equipment. Further, 54% say their city has not been included as part of the state's interoperability assessment; and 75% have not received or been notified that they would be receiving federal funding for interoperable communications."The results of this survey underscore the role financial resources play in disaster-response preparation," said Sugarland, Texas, Mayor David Wallace, task force co-chairman. "How best to get local first responders what they need tops our list of priorities and we believe this survey points to interoperable delivery improvements that need to be made to the current process." Mayors have been working very closely with the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Tom Ridge, as well as key members of Congress, on homeland security issues. The Conference has lobbied for first responder and interoperable communications funding with the outcome being an increased federal commitment to interoperable communications.Other key findings of the report include: 88% report that they are not interoperable with Homeland Security (FEMA, Customs, Borders, etc.)83% are not interoperable with the Department of Justice (FBI, JTTF, ATF, etc.)60% are not interoperable with the state emergency operations center.57% do not have interoperable capability with the state emergency management agency.49% report that their city is not interoperable with the state police.86% do not have interoperable capability with the state transportation department.Of cities with a major chemical plant, 97% do not have interoperable capability between the chemical plant, police, fire and EMS.For cities with a major rail facility, 94% do not have interoperable capability between the rail facility, police, fire and emergency medical service.92% of cities with a seaport report that they do not have interoperable capability between the seaport, police, fire and emergency medical service.Cities with a population of 100,001 to 400,000 report a median communication system age of 11 years old, lacking many new technological features important to first responders.75% of the survey cities indicate that different radio frequencies hinder emergency communications between cities. Lack of common frequencies can impact the ability of multiple agencies to quickly and effectively communicate with each other during emergencies.The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,139 such cities in the country today, each represented in the conference by its chief elected official.Visit the U.S. Conference of Mayors: www.usmayors.org"