McCaskill Plan Would Fund First Responder Communications

McCaskill Plan Would Fund First Responder Communications

Today, standing shoulder to shoulder with area fire fighters, U.S. Senate Candidate Claire McCaskill talked about her plan to give first responders the tools they need to communicate during a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Reports from both September 11th and Hurricane Katrina indicated that lives were lost as a direct result in a lack of interoperable communications.

"These brave fire fighters, our law enforcement officers, our emergency medical teams -- we take it for granted that they will always protect us and keep us safe. But the President and the Republican Congress have failed to give these first responders what they need to do their jobs and to protect themselves and our families," McCaskill said. "People died during 9-11 and Katrina because our first responders couldn't talk to one another. That is a serious problem. There is a simple solution and, as Senator, I have a plan to get it done."

Accepting the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters Organizations McCaskill addressed her support for dedicated radio frequency, also known as spectrum, for use by first responders to communicate between jurisdictions, agencies and all levels of government.

"As a former Prosecutor, Claire McCaskill knows how important it is for first responders to have the tools they need to do their jobs and keep Americans safe. The Professional Fire Fighters of St. Louis and surrounding communities support Claire McCaskill to go to the Senate and fight on the side of Missouri's first responders," Mark Woolbright Legislative Affairs Director of the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters said. "Senator Talent has voted 11 times against funding for fire fighters. The first responders of this state deserve better."

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