(Visit the NTFI website to dowload the report)

The National League of Cities, with 17 other national associations, held a press conference at the National Press Club last week, calling upon Congress and the administration to make improvements to public safety communications. 

The National Taskforce on Interoperability released its final report for public officials on public safety communications. The report demonstrates the urgent need for public safety officials to increase interoperability ? the ability to share existing radio communications and infrastructure in times of an emergency. 

According to the report, during local catastrophes such as a terrorist attack or a major traffic accident, multiple agencies respond including the local police, local firefighters, local emergency medical personal and state police.  Unfortunately, in most areas few if any of these agencies have the capability to quickly and directly share information directly with each other, when lives and property are at stake.

The report addresses recommendations on spectrum needs, funding and cooperation between all levels of government.  Some of the key elements of the report include:
? Five key reasons why public safety agencies can?t communicate.
? Accessing interoperability in your community.
? Tips on how a community can achieve interoperability .
? Funding strategies.

NLC, National Association of Counties and the U.S. Conference of Mayors also called on Congress to create a permanent public interest trust fund ? built with the proceeds from the auction of spectrum licenses to the public?s airways that would support grants to promote interoperability efforts.  

Members of the National Taskforce on Interoperability include representatives of the following 18 national associations:  Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Major Cities Chiefs (MCC), Major County Sheriffs? Association (MCSA), The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), National Governors Association (NGA), National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC), National Sheriffs? Association (NSA) and The Council of State Governments (CSG). n

Details: For more information, contact Juan Otero at 202-626-3022.

Phot NLC Executive Director Don Borut  fields a question from reporters during a press conference of the National Taskforce on Interoperability last week at the National Press Club. Looking on (from left to right) are NACo Executive Director Larry Naake, Chief Harlin R. McEwen, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Charlottesville, Va., Deputy Fire Chief Charles L. Werner and Vinnie Stile, president elect of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.