FEMA Overhaul Debate Stalls Funds for Interoperable Radios

[Rose Siding]

House Republicans are blocking an attempt to spend $3.1 billion to help the nation's police and fire agencies communicate in emergencies as Congress debates a proposed overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

As both parties intensified the election-season rhetoric over national security, Democrats accused GOP leaders of shortchanging the well-documented need to improve communication among first responders. Republicans acknowledged that they do not want to spend billions prematurely, saying more planning and coordination are needed.

"It is just so unfair for the White House not to support the full funding of solving the interoperability problem," said Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.), ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff rebuffed calls for dedicated federal grants to upgrade equipment, coordinate plans, train emergency workers and adapt common technology standards. Instead, he said, state and local leaders must first agree on radio codes and protocols.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content//article/2006/09/13/AR2006091302027.html

Heck of a job.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[babylonsister]

2. So while they're infighting and bungling bureaucratically, what

happens if another Cat 5 hits? Whose fault will it be then? Totally unacceptable.

[emmadoggy]

3. WTF? What a mess. And let's see...

If Georgie and the repubs hadn't F*cked it all up to begin with, maybe it wouldn't be such a pile of shite right now.

When are these bastards going to get their asses in gear and start DOING something about the problems we have instead of pussy-footing, lying, excusing, and delaying their way around them?? :grr:

[redqueen]

4. Radio codes and protocols first?

:wtf:

Is he INSANE?

[rman]

5. Perfectly sensible, assuming they want to obstruct

direct communications between agents of various agencies. The RW does tend to favor centralized control.
The development of protocols can take for ever if they want to.

[elehhhhna]

6. "...leaders must first agree on radio codes and protocols." Translation

"DHS now accepting bribes. We'll spec a frickin' telegraph ticker if they pony up enuff moo-lah."

[redqueen]

7. Hah... well spotted.

:hi:

[truthisfreedom]

8. nice issue. good work, Dems!

we need more of these.