APCO Releases a Statement on the President's FY 2007 Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a statement on the President's FY 2007 Budget, noting its lack of adequate funding for dedicated first responder interoperable communications grant programs.
"APCO International is concerned that there is no "dedicated" DHS grant program for improving first responder interoperable communications in the President's 2007 budget," the statement from APCO International said.
APCO International further noted its disappointment in the Administration's intent to eliminate the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Interoperable Communications Grant program, despite the program's success.
In its statement, APCO International urged the Administration and Congress to:
Increase direct funding for the SAFECOM program;
Provide $100 million for the COPS Interoperability Communications Grant program, and;
Provide $1 billion in dedicated funding for emergency communications grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to local governments.
"There are solutions and remedies to improving emergency communications during natural and manmade disasters," the statement from APCO International said. "It is clearly time to provide focused grant programs for emergency communication needs independent of any other funding efforts."
Visit http://www.apcointl.org/government/positions/PresidentBudget02-13-06.pdf to view the full statement.
About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
