KRATOVIL & MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO BOOST HARFORD COUNTY’S ABILITY TO PREPARE FOR AND RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES
Funding for communications technology will help first responders enhance security, share information and save lives in Harford County
Date: 2-18-10 – For Immediate Release
Contact: Kevin Lawlor, 202 225 5311
Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Kratovil and US Senator Barbara Mikulski (both D-Md.) today joined Harford County Executive David Craig and members of Harford County’s Emergency Operations Center to announce a new $750,000 federal investment in Harford County’s public safety communications technology infrastructure enhancements project.
The project will make critical upgrades to the communications system used by Harford County’s first responders. Currently, Harford County’s police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) teams rely on outdated radio and telephone communications to relay information about natural disasters and other emergencies. The communications technology initiative will upgrade these systems to allow Harford County’s emergency responders to share real time videos, images and data in a secure, consistent and interconnected way. This will boost first responders’ ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
“This federal investment is a way of honoring the service of first responders, corrections and law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel who confront dangerous and hazardous conditions daily while working to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Kratovil. “As a former prosecutor, my respect for first responders comes from witnessing first-hand the tremendous sacrifices they make while serving the public. The government’s most fundamental purpose is to ensure the safety of the people, and we must provide the law enforcement and public safety community the resources needed to fulfill this important mission. Funding projects like these must always remain a priority.”
“Our first responders are the first lines of defense against everything from blizzards to terrorist attacks. I am committed to making sure they have the best tools available to do their jobs. Emergency services must be able to communicate with one another to share data, images and videos in a safe, seamless and compatible way. I was proud to fight for this funding to make sure Harford County’s police, fire and EMS teams have the technology and resources they need to support their work of saving lives every day,” Senator Mikulski said.
Senator Mikulski included $750,000 for the project in the 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. That bill was signed into law in December as part of Congress’ Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Bill. Congressman Kratovil sponsored the funding request in the House of Representatives.
“Our first responders are the first line of defense for domestic terrorism and threats against our citizens. This federal funding will be vital to improve Harford County’s communication capabilities in day-to-day operations, and especially during emergency situations,” stated Harford County Executive David R. Craig.
Harford’s Emergency Operations Center serves a population of nearly 240,000 people, and responds to emergencies within a 450 square mile area. The federal funding completes the first phase of Harford County’s multi-year, countywide communications technology project.
