Alarm Industry Supports Public Safety Broadband Bill

With a Congressional hearing scheduled for Thursday in D.C. on a bill that would give additional resources to first responders for a public safety broadband network, groups representing the alarm industry voiced their support.

The National Association of State Technology Directors and the Alarm Industry Communications Committee joined the Public Safety Alliance's endorsement of S.B. 3756, which would allocate the so-called D-Block spectrum to public safety and provide funding for the development of a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network.  

"A nationwide public safety broadband network with sufficient capacity and public safety-grade capabilities is critical to enhancing and better ensuring our nation and the public's safety both day-to-day and during small-to-large critical events or incidents," according to Steve Doyle, executive vice president of the Central Station Alarm Association. 

The new bill, named The Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, was introduced on Aug. 5 by Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).

Support for allocation of the D-Block to public safety with funding from the organizations representing the professionals who will be responsible for the development of the network demonstrates the strength of the organizations' position, according to Richard Mirgon, immediate past president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International and PSA representative. 

Representatives from over 45 organizations that are backing D-Block allocation to public safety with funding are in Washington, D.C. this week to voice their support for the legislation to the White House, federal agencies and Congress.