From John McCain's website

Senator McCain's Efforts in Support of First Responders

Congressional Fire Caucus
Since the mid-1990s, Senator McCain has served as Co-Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Caucus, the largest Congressional caucus with 340 House and Senate members.

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Senator McCain's Efforts in Support of First Responders

Chairman of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
As Chairman, McCain presided over several hearings on Federal grants to fire departments, fire prevention organizations for personnel and equipment and public safety interoperability. Additionally, he championed several bills that have benefited police officers, fire fighters and other emergency response personnel by increasing funding for local fire and police departments and aiding communications interoperability.

Establishment of the U.S. Fire Administration, Funding the National Fire Academy and Establishing Grant Programs for First Responders Senator McCain sponsored the U.S. Fire Administration Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-169) that authorized funding for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), removed it from FEMA and funded the National Fire Academy through 2008. In addition, the law requires USFA to develop new measurements to evaluate firefighting technologies and the compatibility of new and existing equipment. The law also requires the development of a credentialing system for the deployment of emergency response personnel in the event of a national emergency.

In addition, Senator McCain championed increased funding for the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Act grant programs. The FIRE Act grants have provided almost a billion dollars to help fire departments purchase equipment like fire trucks, oxygen masks, turn-out gear, and any other tools necessary for firefighting. The SAFER Act has provided over $800 million in just 2006 to fire departments for the purpose of increasing the number of firefighters available for daily duty.


Interoperable Communications for First Responders

Ten years ago, while serving as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Senator McCain was the first legislator to introduce legislation to provide public safety with 24 MHz in the 700 MHz band and 10 percent of proceeds from an auction of spectrum to commercial companies to be fund State and local law enforcement communications equipment. This could have aided interoperability by providing spectrum and equipment funding well before the events of 9/11.

Unfortunately, this spectrum was encumbered by television broadcasters who refused to move despite broadcasters being given other spectrum in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The television broadcasters persuaded some members of Congress to slip into the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 a provision that allowed for broadcasters to retain their new spectrum and use the spectrum dedicated to public safety for an indefinite time. Rightly, first responders fought the broadcasters "spectrum squatting" and asked Congress to set a firm date for broadcasters to provide public safety spectrum. McCain supported them in the fight.

During the 108th Congress, McCain introduced a bill that would have provided public safety with this spectrum by January 1, 2008. The bill was not considered by the Senate. McCain then introduced an amendment to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to set a firm date for the delivery of this spectrum, but it was strongly opposed by the broadcasters and not considered.

In October 2005, the Commerce Committee debated a firm date as part of the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2006. McCain offered an amendment to make the spectrum available by January 2007, but it was shot down by a vote of 17-5. McCain then took an amendment to the floor which was defeated by a vote of 30-69. Congress did finally set the date of February 17, 2009 -- date that is too late in McCain's opinion.

McCain has not only been concerned about public safety not receiving spectrum in a timely manner, but also not receiving enough spectrum. In 2004, McCain offered an amendment that was included in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to study the short-term and long-term spectrum needs of public safety.

Additionally, in October of 2005, McCain introduced an amendment in the Senate Commerce Committee that would eliminate duplicative grant programs to fund interoperable communications equipment, thereby eliminating excessive administrative costs and provided more funding to first responders and eliminate cumbersome and duplicative grant paperwork. The bill to which the amendment was accepted, was not considered by the Senate. Most recently, Senator McCain, along with Senator Coburn, introduced a similar amendment on March 7 on the floor of the Senate to eliminate duplicative grant programs, thereby freeing up over $200 million for first responder equipment. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 25-71, although it was supported by the Ranking Member of the Homeland and Governmental Reform Committee, Senator Collins and the Minority Leader, Senator McConnell.

All of McCain's efforts mentioned above in attempting to provide spectrum and funding to first responders have been supported by Voices of 9/11 (a group representing family members of the 9/11 victims), the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Sheriffs Association, and others.

Most recently, McCain introduced the SAVE LIVES Act (Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law-Enforcement to Improve Vital Emergency Services Act, in March 2007, which would provide an additional 30MHz of spectrum to first responders to establish a national, interoperable communications network. Senator McCain is the only Presidential candidate to propose a national solution that would allow for local, regional, State and national emergency communications interoperability for first responders and implement the 9/11 Commission's recommendation to provide more spectrum to first responders.


John McCain On First Responders
John McCain: "We must continue to work to ensure that we equip our first responders with the equipment and training necessary to ensure both their safety and their ability to carry out their critical missions." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 9/29/04, p. S9905)

John McCain Serves As Co-Chair Of The Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Currently John McCain Serves As Co-Chair Of The Congressional Fire Services Caucus; In The Past He Has Chaired The Caucus. (Congressional Fire Services Institute, www.cfsi.org, Accessed 3/12/07)

In 2005, John McCain Was Named The National Fire Protection Association Legislator Of The Year

"McCain Was Honored For His Leadership With The Congressional Fire Services Caucus, As Well As For His Advocacy For The Firefighting Research And Coordination Act, Ensuring New Firefighting Equipment Will Adequately Meet The Needs Of America's Firefighters." (National Fire Protection Association, "Five Members of Congress Given NFPA Awards for Fire Service Activities," Press Release, 4/28/05)

John McCain Has Led The Fight To Improve Radio Communications For First Responders
John McCain: "The federal government spends too much money on too many things of dubious if any utility. It's time to put first the needs of the people who put the rest of first. Government needs to develop a comprehensive, interoperable emergency communications plan and set equipment standards, fund emergency and interoperable communications equipment, and provide you the radio spectrum that will allow you to communicate over long distances using the same frequencies and equipment. All you ask is for the means to do your job effectively so that the sacrifices you make on our behalf are not in vain. I don't think that is too much to ask. We should have done it years ago. We must do it now before disaster, man made or natural, strikes us again." (Sen. John McCain, Remarks To International Association of Fire Fighters Presidential Forum, Washington, D.C., 3/14/07)

John McCain Has Repeatedly Introduced The "Spectrum Availability For Emergency-Response And Law-Enforcement To Improve Vital Emergency Services Act," Known As The SAVE LIVES Act Of 2005. (S. 744, Introduced 3/1/07; Sen. John McCain, "McCain, Lieberman Introduce Save Lives Act of 2005," Press Release, 6/14/05; S. 2820, Introduced 9/21/04)

John McCain: "The bill would provide public safety with the ability to use an additional 30 MHz of radio spectrum for a new nationwide public safety state-of-the-art broadband network. This would allow police, fire, sheriffs, and other medical and emergency professionals the ability to communicate using a modern and reliable broadband network, thereby allowing for interoperable communications between local, state and Federal first responders during emergencies." (Sen. John McCain, "Senator McCain Statement On The Introduction Of The Save Lives Act Of 2007," Press Release, 3/1/07)

John McCain: "The SAVE LIVES Act implements one of the top recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. It also ensures that when our Nation experiences another attack or is confronted with a natural disaster or emergency, our police, fire fighters and emergency response personnel will have the ability to communicate with each other to prevent another catastrophic loss of life. Now is the time for Congressional action before another national emergency or crisis takes place." (Sen. John McCain, "McCain, Lieberman Introduce Save Lives Act of 2005," Press Release, 6/14/05)

"The 9/11 Commission, In Its Final Report, Reiterated The Immediate Need For Additional Spectrum For Public Safety Stating, ‘Congress Should Support Pending Legislation Which Provides For The Expedited And Increased Assignment Of Radio Spectrum For Public Safety Purposes.'" (Sen. John McCain, "McCain, Lieberman Introduce Save Lives Act Of 2005," Press Release, 6/14/05)

John McCain: "The 9/11 Commission's Final Report states that: ‘Command and control decisions were affected by the lack of knowledge of what was happening 30, 60, 90, and 100 floors above' due to the inability of police and firefighters to communicate using their hand held radios. The Final Report recommended the ‘expedited and increased assignment of radio spectrum to public safety entities' to resolve the problem. This bill would finally implement fully the recommendation." (Sen. John McCain, "Senator McCain Statement On The Introduction Of The Save Lives Act Of 2007," Press Release, 3/1/07)

John McCain Has Been A Staunch Advocate For Our Nation's Firefighters

John McCain: "You know what it means to sacrifice for a cause greater than yourselves. You have dedicated your lives to saving others' lives and protecting your country from harm. You have put the interests of your communities and your country ahead of your personal interests." (Sen. John McCain, Remarks To International Association of Fire Fighters Presidential Forum, Washington, D.C., 3/14/07)

John McCain: "Like soldiers, your service is strengthened by your loyalty to one another, by your shared devotion to our country and to one another, to the firefighter on your left and the firefighter on your right. You protect each other, fight together, laugh together, pray together, grieve over losses together, and risk everything together for the sake of people whose names you might never know and for the security of cities and towns that compensate you modestly and expect so much from you." (Sen. John McCain, Remarks To International Association Of Fire Fighters Presidential Forum, Washington, D.C., 3/14/07)

John McCain: "Like soldiers, your courage is our shield, your loyalty our privilege, your sacrifices our lesson in heroism and your devotion to your fallen and injured our shared and honorable obligation. But it is the responsibility of your elected officials to make sure you are provided all the equipment and support necessary for you to protect your communities." (Sen. John McCain, Remarks To International Association Of Fire Fighters Presidential Forum, Washington, D.C., 3/14/07)

In 2002, John McCain Introduced The Firefighting Research And Coordination Act. "Acting upon the lessons learned from the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks and addressing problems faced by the fire services, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced a bill to develop standards for new firefighting technology; improve coordination between federal, state and local fire officials; and authorize the National Fire Academy to train firefighters for responding to acts of terrorism." (S. 2862, Introduced 8/1/02; Sen. John McCain, "McCain Bill Enhances Firefighter Equipment, Coordination & Training," Press Release, 8/5/02)

John McCain: "While we strive to prevent any future attack in the United States, it is our duty to ensure that we are adequately prepared for any future catastrophic act of terrorism. This bill will improve the response to national emergencies and will also prepare our firefighters for their everyday role in protecting our families and homes." (Sen. John McCain, "McCain Bill Enhances Firefighter Equipment, Coordination & Training," Press Release, 8/5/02)

"We must continue to work to ensure that we equip our first responders with the equipment and training necessary to ensure both their safety and their ability to carry out their critical missions."

John McCain, Congressional Record, 9/29/04

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from Barack Obama's website:

BARACK OBAMA: STRENGTHENING HOMELAND SECURITY “We are here to do the work that ensures no other family members have to lose a loved one to a terrorist who turns a plane into a missile, a terrorist who straps a bomb around her waist and climbs aboard a bus, a terrorist who figures out how to set off a dirty bomb in one of our cities. This is why we are here: to make our country safer and make sure the nearly 3,000 who were taken from us did not die in vain; that their legacy will be a more safe and secure Nation.”
[Speech On U.S. Senate Floor, 3/6/07]

BARACK OBAMA: PROTECTING AMERICANS

The first responsibility of any president is to protect the American people. Yet, more than five years after the 9/11 attacks, our country is still unprepared. The 9/11 Commission gave the government five Fs and 12 Ds on the implementation of its homeland security recommendations. As president, Barack Obama will take every step to make our homeland more secure. He will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations and ensure that the nation is prepared to prevent and respond to catastrophe. An Obama administration will provide the nation's first responders with the equipment, training, and support they need; invest in the resources necessary to improve our emergency preparedness and planning; allocate our homeland security dollars according to risk; increase the security of our transit systems, rail lines, and ports; and secure our chemical and nuclear plants, and other critical infrastructure.
BOLSTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
Allocate Funds Based on Risk: Barack Obama believes that the president and Congress should direct our precious homeland security dollars according to risk, not as a form of general revenue sharing. These dollars help states and localities prepare for disaster and fund first responder needs. To address this pressing issue, Obama introduced an amendment on the Senate floor to increase risk-based funding in the 9/11 bill. Obama’s amendment was supported by the Families of 9/11 and former 9/11 Commissioners Lee Hamilton and Tim Roemer.
Prepare Effective Emergency Response Plans: As our nation witnessed in the Hurricane Katrina crisis and its aftermath, too many localities do not have integrated emergency response plans to handle disasters. As an Illinois state legislator, Barack Obama passed legislation to improve Illinois’ disaster preparedness for terrorism and public health crises. Obama took his firsthand knowledge of state and local disaster planning to Washington where he has worked to provide greater federal tools and guidance to those responding to emergencies on the ground. Obama passed legislation to require mandatory planning for evacuating individuals with special needs from emergency zones and to create a National Family Locator System to help families locate loved ones after a disaster. As president, Obama will further improve coordination between all levels of government, create better evacuation plan guidelines, ensure prompt federal assistance to emergency zones, and increase medical surge capacity.
Support First Responders: During emergencies our nation's first responders -- police, firefighters, and emergency medical professionals -- come to the rescue. They deserve the tools necessary to get the job done safely and quickly. Unfortunately, over the past few years the Bush Administration has repeatedly attempted to significantly reduce support for our nation’s first responders. Barack Obama has consistently fought attempts to undercut the base of our homeland security system. Obama is committed not only to rolling back the funding cuts that have affected first responders, but also to increasing federal resources and logistic support to local emergency planning efforts.
Improve Interoperable Communications Systems: Our nation lost precious time during the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina because of the lack of a 21st-century communications network for first responders, local governments, and federal agencies. In January 2007, the Department of Homeland Security gave only six of 75 metropolitan areas high grades for emergency communications. These systems must enable communications across city, county, and state lines and there must be a system by which the Federal government communicates with local entities. Barack Obama supports efforts to provide greater technical assistance to local and state first responders and dramatically increase funding for reliable, interoperable communications systems. He also supports a more rapid turnover of broadcast spectrum to first responders.