Vito Fossella: “I believe the ability for public safety officers to communicate to each other is one of the core principles in…”

“I believe the ability for public safety officers to communicate to each other is one of the core principles in protecting this nation. Whether it is police officers and firefighters working together to save a child from a burning building or the FBI and local officials stopping terrorists before boarding a plane, the ability for local, State, and Federal public safety officers to communicate should be, and I believe is, one of the goals this Congress and administration diligently works to achieve. Just Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Ridge announced the launching of an Office of Interoperability and Compatibility. This office will oversee the wide range of public safety interoperability programs and efforts currently spread across Homeland Security. These programs address critical interoperability issues relating to public safety and emergency response, including communications, equipment, training, and other areas as needs are identified. I want to commend the Secretary for his leadership on this issue and would like to add that it is now Congress's duty to ensure this office has the resources and flexibility it will need to achieve its goals.”