THE NATIONAL SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS D BLOCK LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE

Alexandria, VA – The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) applauds Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (I-CT); Senator John McCain (R-AZ); and Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV) for their strong support to allocate the 10MHZ of spectrum, known as the D Block, to public safety for the creation of a nationwide public safety interoperable mobile broadband network, which will assist public safety to continue to protect their communities nationwide.

This afternoon, Senator Lieberman and Senator McCain announced the introduction of the First Responders Protection Act of 2010 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would not only allocate the D Block to the public safety community, but would ensure that funding is available for the creation and implementation of this nationwide public safety interoperable mobile broadband network.

Furthermore, Senator Rockefeller also announced his intentions this afternoon to introduce the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act. Senator Rockefeller’s legislation will seek to create innovative spectrum policy, as well as allocating the D Block to public safety and providing the necessary funding to create and implement the interoperable broadband network for public safety.

“Interoperability needs to be coast to coast; border to border; urban, suburban, and rural. Public safety can no longer continue to operate without the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently amongst each other,” stated Story County, IA Sheriff Paul H. Fitzgerald, First Vice President of the National Sheriffs’ Association and NSA’s representative on the Public Safety Alliance. “The allocation of the D Block to the public safety community is the significant and necessary step forward to achieve this goal; obtain interoperability; and create a nationwide public safety interoperable mobile broadband network. We thank Senators Lieberman, McCain, and Rockefeller for their leadership on this critical issue and for their steadfast support of America’s public safety community.”

Established in 1940, the National Sheriffs’ Association is the voice of 3,083 elected sheriffs across the country and the largest association of law enforcement professionals in the United States, with a membership of more than 20,000 members, including deputy sheriffs, other law enforcement professionals, and students. Throughout its history, NSA has served as an information clearinghouse for sheriffs, deputies, chiefs of police, other law enforcement professionals, state governments and the federal government.