Posted by FCAMSECTREAS - Thu, Jul 22, 2010, 5:45 A

IAFC Applauds Senators Lieberman, McCain, and Rockefeller for Supporting the Allocation of the D Block to Public Safety

IAFC Applauds Senators Lieberman, McCain, and Rockefeller for Supporting the Allocation of the D Block to Public Safety


Fairfax, Va., July 21, 2010... Chief Jeff Johnson, president and chairman of the board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), applauded Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), and John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV) today for their actions to support the development of a nationwide, interoperable wireless broadband network for public safety.

This afternoon, Senator Lieberman, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senator McCain announced the introduction of the First Responders Protection Act of 2010, which would allocate the D Block to public safety and provide funding for the development of a nationwide, public safety wireless broadband network.

In addition, Senator Rockefeller, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced his intention to introduce a broader bill, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, to provide the nation with a forward-thinking spectrum policy. This bill also would provide the D Block and the necessary funds to public safety to construct and develop a nationwide, wireless broadband network.

"Senators Lieberman, McCain, and Rockefeller have taken important action today in support of public safety. The nation's fire chiefs thank these longtime supporters of the fire service for their unambiguous support for allocating the vital spectrum and funding to public safety that it needs to develop a nationwide, wireless broadband network," said Chief Johnson. "We look forward to working with them to pass legislation in the coming months that will allow America's fire service to utilize 21st century technology to protect the public."