SENATE AMENDMENT SETS $1 BILLION TO FIRST RESPONDERS

摘要

First responders would get $1 billion by Oct. 1, under an amendment unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on Thurs. during the panel抯 telecom reform bill markup. The proposal, adopted by voice vote, would provide firefighters, police and medical personnel with the necessary radio equipment to communicate with one another in the event of a terrorist attack or major disaster. Up to $250 million of the award would be distributed to each state and the federal govt. to establish caches of emergency communications equipment. The federal funds would be granted to FEMA regional offices in Boston, N.Y.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Denton, Tex., Kansas City, Denver, Oakland, and Bothell, Wash. The amendment was offered by Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Cal.).