In 1997, Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated 24 MHz of spectrum to public safety in the 700 MHz band for additional voice and data capacity and greater interoperability. However, Congress left a loophole in the 1997 legislation that fails to set a firm date when TV stations must vacate this spectrum. A small number of TV stations in that spectrum currently prevent public safety access in most of the major metropolitan areas.
Before going to recess earlier this month, the Senate and House of Representatives passed the "National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 (S.2845)" and the "9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act (HR 10)" respectively. The bills are now in conference, where a select few Congressional leaders will work out the differences.
The Senate language would implement a recommendation in the 9/11 Commission Report that Congress "support pending legislation which provides for the expedited and increased assignment of radio spectrum for public safety purposes."
In contrast, the relevant portions of HR 10 would merely establish a "sense of the Congress" that the spectrum be made available as part of a yet-to-be-legislated end of the DTV transition.
On Oct. 18, APCO International, along with the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), the Major County Sheriffs' Association (MCSA), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) sent a joint memorandum to the conferees urging them to accede the Senate version of the language that would establish a firm date to provide additional radio spectrum for our nation's first responders.
APCO International is releasing this Call to Action to encourage the public safety communications community to write, call, and visit the offices of their elected official and urge them to pass legislation that would clear the 700 MHz public safety spectrum this year.
"Congress must enact legislation so public safety can access this vital spectrum without exception," APCO International President Greg Ballentine said. "Public safety personnel continue to work without sufficient resources and it is time we make sure our policy leaders are aware of the significance of this issue."
For more information on this call to action, visit APCO's Web site.
