Gov. Blunt Awards $5.35 Million
for Interoperable Communications Equipment
JEFFERSON CITY, May 15, 2006-Gov. Matt Blunt today
awarded 152 local jurisdictions Interoperable Communications grants
totaling $5.35 million. This grant focuses on promoting interoperability
and narrow banding for smaller jurisdictions that otherwise would
experience difficulty meeting the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Narrowband deadline of 2013.
"These resources will help law enforcement and
first responders communicate more effectively during crisis situations
enabling them to enhance rescue efforts and save lives," Blunt
said. "We have made significant advances since 2005 to protect
Missourians and this is another step forward in that ongoing effort."
Local jurisdictions will replace wideband-only portable
and mobile radios, with narrowband units. This move would ensure all
emergency officials especially law enforcement could talk to each
other over the same channels and increases their flexibility to adapt
to technology in the future. The FCC and the Missouri State Highway
Patrol set these public safety specific program channels aside.
By implementing these interoperability requirements,
agencies responding to a statewide disaster will have shared channel
interoperability. Almost 200 public safety agencies in Missouri have
already agreed to implement these multi-discipline interoperability
channels in their radios.
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) administers
the Homeland Security Grant program for Missouri. Missouri allotted
$5.35 million for this portion of the Interoperable Communications
grant. SEMA processed 343 Interoperable Communications Grant Program
applications totaling over $21.7 million. The grants were awarded
using a combination of Interoperable Communications Peer Review Panel
recommendations, and scores generated from the application questionnaire.
The FY05 Interoperable Communications Grant to Missouri
totaled $10 million. Earlier this year, Gov. Blunt’s Homeland
Security Advisory Council approved $4.65 million to purchase regional
interoperable communications switching equipment for the Kansas City
area and the St. Louis area. All funds for the FY05 Interoperable
Communications Grant have been obligated.
A complete list of the 152 jurisdictions can be viewed
at the following link: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/FY%202005Interoperable%20Communications%20Grant%20Recipients.doc