Payne Introduces Legislation to Improve Interoperable Emergency Communications for First Responders

Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) introduced theStatewide Interoperable Communications (SWIC) Enhancement Act of 2015, legislation to enable state and local first responders to achieve interoperable emergency communications.

“The inability of first responders to effectively communicate with one another during emergencies is a very real problem that undermines the safety of our communities,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “This legislation protects the gains made toward achieving interoperability and ensures emergency personnel are able to successfully coordinate activities that save lives.”

In recent years, states have been able to rely on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program to support their communications governance structures and their Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWIC), who are charged with coordinating interoperability activities across all levels of government.

However, due to the elimination of the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program and reduced funding for other state and local homeland security grant programs, some states are eliminating SWICs. As a result, activities critical to maintaining and advancing interoperable emergency communications policies are not being effectively coordinated.

The Statewide Interoperable Communications (SWIC) Enhancement Act of 2015 ensures that states maintain the progress that has been made toward achieving interoperability by requiring states to have a SWIC or to delegate activities related to achieving interoperability to other individuals.

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. is the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.