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 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS 
 RE:  Federal  Communications  Commission  Requests  Comment  on  Spectrum  Needs  of  Emergency  Response  Providers  (Public  Notice  FCC  05-  80). 


 In  the  Intelligence  Reform  Act  Congress  rightly  required  the  FCC  to  conduct  a  study  of  short  and  long-  term  spectrum  needs  for  emergency  response  providers,  and  to  seek  input  from 
 emergency  response  providers  regarding  the  creation  of  a  nationwide  interoperable  communications  network. 


 I  have  long  believed  that  such  a  study  was  long  overdue,  so  I  am  glad  that  we  are  beginning  the  process  today.  A  useful  report  to  Congress  will:  (1)  include  a  survey  of  what 
 spectrum  is  currently  being  used  by  which  entities  across  the  country;  (2)  understand  that  not  all  frequencies  are  the  same  and  therefore  assess  whether  we  are  matching  spectrum  with 
 appropriate  physical  characteristics  to  current  and  future  public  safety  needs;  (3)  indicate  whether  some  bands  are  being  underutilized  because  public  safety  needs  have  changed  since 
 initial  allocation;  (4)  assess  the  current  interference  situation  in  public  safety  bands;  (5)  identify  various  approaches  to  interoperability  and  their  success  or  failure;  (6)  identify  the  current 
 availability  of  interoperable  channels  and  whether  or  not  they  are  widely  used  and  why;  and  (7)  determine  how  a  nationwide  interoperable  network  can  connect  not  only  local  police  and  fire 
 entities,  but  also  the  FBI,  DHS,  FEMA,  and  other  critical  Federal  agencies.  I  also  believe  that  we  must  begin  to  understand  that  emergency  rooms  and  the  medical  community  are  integral  parts 
 of  emergency  response  and  homeland  security.  If  we  build  a  system  that  excludes  the  medical  community  it  will  be  dangerously  incomplete. 


 I  commend  Chairman  Martin  for  beginning  this  process  and  I  beseech  every  emergency  responder  that  currently  uses  spectrum  resources  and  every  entity  that  believes  that  they  should 
 be  part  of  an  interoperable  system,  including  the  medical  community,  to  respond  to  this  extremely  important  public  notice. 
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