"Why Can't We Talk?" When Lives are at Stake

Public Safety Radio Spectrum and Interoperability

Public safety work requires effective coordination and communication among disparate public safety agencies. Thousands of incidents that require mutual aid and coordinated response happen each and every day. High-profile incidents—such as bombings, plane crashes, and natural disasters—test the ability of public safety service organizations to mount a well-coordinated response. Interoperability—the ability of agencies to communicate with different jurisdictions (e.g., police with fire; State with county)—often depends on wireless radio communication systems.

What has been done to address these issues at the Federal level?

In March 1995, Congress requested the establishment of the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC) to focus attention on the requirements for spectrum and interoperability at the Federal, State and local levels. In its final report, PSWAC concluded that "unless immediate measures are taken to alleviate shortfalls and promote interoperability, public safety agencies will not be able to adequately discharge their obligation to protect life and property in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner."

Congress included language in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reassign 24 MHz of spectrum currently occupied by broadcast television channels 60 through 69 for public safety use by 2006. However, broadcasters encouraged Congress to insert a provision in the legislation that may delay the availability of that spectrum in some areas indefinitely, depending on the penetration of digital television service in the individual markets. Additionally, the PSWAC report detailed the need for an additional 73.5 MHz to meet interoperability and longer term needs.

What Federal funding is available to assist State and local governments?

The U.S. Departments of Justice, the Treasury, and Commerce established a working group to develop recommendations for innovative ways to fund public safety wireless communications systems. The working group proposed Federal seed money to States for public safety wireless communications. The foundation of this proposal is to provide an element of coordination to the planning, design, and implementation of systems to promote Federal, State, and local interoperability, spectrum efficiency, and security issues. Administration approval of this proposal is pending

Additionally, a multitude of other potential funding mechanisms exists. Please contact the CommTech program to obtain more information (see below).

What issues are addressed in this video?

In an era where technology can bring news, current events, and entertainment to the farthest reaches of the world, many police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel cannot communicate with each other. Congested and fragmented spectral resources, inadequate funding for technology upgrades, and a wide variety of governmental and institutional obstacles result in a critical situation that, if not addressed expeditiously, will continue to compromise the ability of public safety officials to protect life and property.

How should I use this video?

This video is one component of the U.S. Department of Justice's public education campaign to raise awareness of public safety interoperability issues. It provides an executive summary of the growing importance of these issues in an effort to foster informed decisionmaking regarding the planning, design, and funding of public safety radio systems. Please use this video in conjunction with any pertinent meetings or conferences you hold or attend and help us raise national awareness of this issue. With your help, this video can assist in helping to understand some of the political barriers and mindsets that are hampering efforts to achieve interoperability.

What resources are available to provide information on this issue?

• National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC), a program of the National Institute of Justice. For additional copies of the "Why Can't We Talk?" When Lives Are at Stake video (NCJ 172213), call 800-248-2742. For more information on public safety radio spectrum and interoperability issues, including the AGILE program, call Tom Coty at 202-514-7683, or visit the NLECTC World Wide Web site at www.nlectc.org.



• Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division. For spectrum-related information, hot topics, Public Safety National Coordination Committee information, regulatory actions and decisions, Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee information, national/regional plan action, radio services and licensing information, frequency coordinator information, spectrum refarming, and FCC rules, call 202-418-0680 or visit www.fcc.gov/wtb/publicsafety/.



• Public Safety Wireless Network Program (PSWN), a joint program of the U.S. Departments of Justice and the Treasury. An initiative established for the planning, development, and implementation of an intergovernmental wireless network for all types of local, State, and Federal public safety agencies. For information, call 800-565-PSWN or visit www.pswn.gov.



• National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC). For information on NPSTC, a federation of 11 associations that acts as a resource and advocate for public safety telecommunications issues, visit www.npstc.org.



• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Spectrum Management Division—Public Safety Program Office, U.S. Department of Commerce. The Public Safety Program was established to coordinate the various spectrum and telecommunications-related activities and programs within the Federal Government as it relates to public safety. Call 202-482-1726 or visit pswac.ntia.doc.gov/pubsafe/.