Schumer: Wyoming County Fire And Emergency Services Communications Are Delayed Because First Responders Cannot Gain Access To Radio Frequencies Without Canadian Approval -- Urges Feds To Go To Bat For Wyoming County & Break Through Red Tape That Has Help Up Approval Process

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the U.S. State Department and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to work with Canadian officials to secure the necessary approvals for radio frequencies for Wyoming County first responders. Schumer explained that, due to Wyoming County's close proximity to Canada, first responders must get approval from the Canadian government for their new radio frequencies. For over three years Wyoming County first responders have been working with Canadian officials to secure the rights to use Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequencies for fire and EMS communications. However, each time they have submitted their request they have been denied by the Canadian government. Schumer requested that the State Department and the FCC intervene, work with their Canadian counterparts, and negotiate an agreement that would allow Wyoming County first responders to utilize VHF radio frequencies for essential emergency communications as soon as possible.

"Wyoming County first responders are the first line of defense for the community and they deserve the resources and support to do their jobs to the best of their ability; and in order for them to function efficiently and effectively, they need access to these radio frequencies. But time after time, the Canadian government has put up bureaucratic hurdles and a sea of red tape to prevent Wyoming County's fire and EMS services from accessing necessary radio frequencies. That's why I am urging the State Department and the FCC to work with the Canadian government to allow Wyoming County to access these necessary radio frequencies," said Schumer.

Schumer said that Wyoming County first responders have applied on multiple occasions to access VHF radio channels that would allow fire and EMS communicators to share vital information and respond quickly to distress calls, but each time they have been denied by the Canadian government. Schumer said this limits the communication channels first responders can use and prevents them from doing their jobs effectively. Given the numerous bureaucratic hurdles, Schumer is requesting the State Department and FCC's intervention on the issue. In fact, Wyoming secured a grant for $1.8 million dollars to pay for new radios and tower equipment, but because Canada has yet to permit access the frequency needed, the project has been severely delayed. The project will put a new radio in every fire/EMS unit in the county and allow complete interoperability with all aspects of public safety in Wyoming County.

Given it's close proximity to Canada, Wyoming County has to go through the Canadian government to access frequencies given its proximity to the country. Canada has an extensive review process to determine which frequencies it will license and how those frequencies will be used. If an application to access the frequencies is denied three times, which is the case for Wyoming County, an On Air Test (OAT) must be conducted. The OAT requires the Canadian government to measure the frequency being used by the applicant to determine if it is compatible with their broadcast standards. The FCC monitors the OAT to verify watts in cooperation with the Canadian government. Wyoming County has attempted to conduct an OAT, however given the Canadian governments' bureaucratic process and shortage of FCC officials available to administer tests, the process have been delayed.

Schumer has requested the State Department and FCC find an amicable solution that would allow Wyoming County first responders to have access to the necessary frequencies while still remaining within the parameters of Canada's broadcast frequency guidelines and regulations. The time sensitive nature in securing frequencies for the first responders gives the issue a profound level of urgency. Despite this urgency, the prolonged review process and subsequent OAT tests have made it very difficult for first responders to properly communicate with one another. Expediting this process and allowing American and Canadian officials to work together would be of great help to first responders.

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