The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today applauded the Senate's passage of a bill that will extend the current spending deadline for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program to 2012. The PSIC program was originally established by Congress to provide one-time funding of $1 billion to state and local governments toward achieving interoperability among first responders.

"The public safety communications community continues to be constrained by financial issues as well as time constraints when it comes to technological progress," APCO International executive director George Rice said. "APCO International is pleased Congress has recognized the importance of this program in achieving interoperability."

"APCO International again thanks Sen. Rockefeller and Sen. Hutchison for their leadership in prioritizing this vital public safety issue," APCO International director of legislative affairs Yucel Ors said. "We look forward to continuing to work with them, as well as their colleagues in the House, to secure final passage of this critical extension."

APCO International continues to urge Congress to fully fund the follow-on to the one-time PSIC funding, entitled the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP), at its maximum authorization level of $400 million for fiscal year 2011.