If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that the risk of wildfire has expanded beyond what has traditionally been thought of as “fire season.” Wildfires can break out almost anywhere, at any time.
Because of this new reality, there is work to be done to improve the safety and connectivity of communities in the face of natural disasters, especially as these events continue to grow in scale and size. Strengthening the resiliency of our communities needs to be a priority for our policymakers. This is why the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation is proud to support Assemblymember Tina McKinnor‘s Assembly Bill 470, which is currently moving through the California State Legislature.
Over the last several months, policy leaders and key stakeholders representing a variety of interests have held collaborative conversations to ensure AB 470 represents the needs of diverse communities across the state, including the public safety community.
The result is sound policy that represents a thoughtful, forward-looking approach to modernizing California’s communications network.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the capabilities of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department by providing enhanced equipment, training, technology, and vital community outreach and program resources. In short, we aren’t the heroes — but we buy them their capes.
We make sure our San Diego first responders are the most effective as they possibly can be in doing their jobs — saving lives. AB 470 will provide the resources and tools to do just that.
As a state prone to natural disasters and unpredictable weather events, we must have modernized communications systems that ensure Californians have access to reliable information in real time. We also need to ensure our public safety community has the tools needed to locate people faster, communicate clearly during emergencies, and issue alerts and warnings, among other critical information needs.
We need to be smart and plan for a future that demands faster, better communications as wild weather evolves, our communities grow, and our connectivity needs and demands increase. Our current system will not be able to handle the increasing year-round demands being put on the public safety infrastructure.
AB 470 provides important resources that will strengthen our communications networks because it incentivizes investment in more resilient, reliable technologies that will improve emergency response.
First responders know best that the evolving use of advanced communications technologies before, during, and after emergencies is extremely vital for situational awareness and decision-making in firefighting, responding to floods, landslides, earthquakes, school safety, search and rescue response, recovery operations and much more
The reality is, during an emergency, mobile technologies are proven to be safer and more reliable than outdated alternatives. Investments in modern connectivity that make these technologies possible will ensure that public safety officials can meet the community where they are through modern, safe, and reliable options.
That’s why we need AB 470.
Many departments are already in the process of migrating their networks and implementing a public safety communications system that provides enhanced 9-1-1, including video and text-to 9-1-1, but this capability requires investments in updated and evolving technologies.
As AB 470 continues to move through the Legislature, we encourage policymakers and stakeholders to support this landmark legislation that best serves the public safety interests while also protecting consumers, preserving access to essential voice services and positioning our public safety leaders and Californians for success.
Wendy Moore is executive director of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation.
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