IAFF Testifies to Improve Public Safety Communications

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) testified June 17, 2010, at a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet on the need to improve basic communications within the fire service.

Although the hearing was called to discuss a plan by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a nationwide public safety broadband network, IAFF Director of Fire and EMS Operations and GIS Services Jonathan Moore explained to Subcommittee members that the real dilemma facing many local fire departments is the need to improve communications operability.

“Focusing time and resources on fixing…basic communications issues will have a larger impact on public safety than will the establishment of any broadband network,” Moore said. “Moreover, failure to address the challenges of communications on the fire ground will undermine the entire purpose of creating a broadband network. A network that enables a firefighter in Los Angeles to communicate with a firefighter in New York will serve no purpose if two FDNY firefighters working the same incident can’t talk to each other.”

Moore also told the Subcommittee that ensuring basic operability was more than a technical issue, it was necessary to ensure firefighters’ health and safety.

“The IAFF has made it a priority to ensure that everyone goes home safe at the end of each shift. Because radios are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment, we expect that any new communications system will be effective, safe, reliable and simple to use,” he said.

In addition to discussing the importance of basic communications capabilities, Moore also expressed the IAFF’s support for the FCC’s plan to build a nationwide public safety broadband network. Although some panelists at the hearing disagreed with major provisions of the FCC’s plan, the majority of Subcommittee members expressed their clear preference for the IAFF’s position.

Subcommittee members, including Chair Rick Boucher (D-VA), are currently drafting legislation to implement the FCC’s recommendations. The IAFF will continue working closely with its congressional allies to ensure that its concerns are addressed in the resulting bill.