Federal Funding May Support Public Safety Radio Projects |  |
The Department of Homeland Security, the 9-11 Commission, the Katrina Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission have concluded that improved wireless communication among federal, state, and local public safety agencies is essential to national security. Washington understands that public safety radio networks must be upgraded so public and private safety, health, and emergency response personnel and all levels of government can seamlessly communicate with each other in real time. Significant federal funding for the construction of these next-generation public safety radio networks may be just around the corner.
Next-generation interoperable public safety radio networks will allow police, fire, and emergency response personnel to share video, voice, and data in real time. As an added benefit, these public radio networks can also be designed to provide other important public services. For example, scaled-up public safety radio networks can improve air quality with sophisticated vehicle routing and traffic light synchronization, while simultaneously providing a platform for improved efficiency in the delivery of many municipal services.
But building and upgrading public safety radio networks will cost billions of dollars. Where will this funding come from? Some consideration is being given to allowing developers of public safety radio networks to tap into the nation’s Universal Service Fund. The Universal Service Fund is a multibillion-dollar federal trust fund that supports Internet connections for the nation’s public schools and that helps provide affordable telephone service for the elderly, the poor, and those living in rural areas.
Federal funding has been essential to many vital public programs. Federal funding was the driving force behind development of the Interstate Highway System, the cleanup of polluted landfills, and the construction of regional wastewater treatment plants. Given the clear benefits and needs associated with improved public safety radio networks, it is a good bet that some new and increased forms of federal funding will soon be available to support construction of next-generation public safety radio networks.
Farsighted communities interested in upgrading their public safety radio networks might start planning now to take advantage of the financial incentives that may soon be available to support construction of these twenty-first-century public works projects.