Don't cut corners on public safety

Interoperability is vital to every Missouri disaster/contingency plan. As you may or may not know, Gov. Jay Nixon recently placed a hold on a contract with Motorola that former governor Matt Blunt negotiated to make emergency responders communication systems interoperable. Having this kind of system means when disaster strikes, the police, emergency medical service, fire and other responders can all communicate on a dedicated system. To highlight the importance and necessity of interoperability, I offer two contrasting scenarios.

On Sept. 11, 2001, emergency responders in New York arrived at the scene of the most horrific attack on American soil. Their communications systems were not interoperable. When a police helicopter sent out a warning over the radio to evacuate, the message was not relayed to other emergency-response personnel. Had an interoperable system been in place, 343 firefighters who lost their lives that day would have received a warning to evacuate. While their actions were indeed heroic, with the right communication gear their lives might have been spared.

More recently, Minnesota experienced a devastating bridge collapse on Interstate 35W. The personnel on scene, however, did have an interoperable system. All personnel dispatched to the scene of the collapse were in communication with one another and able to effectively and efficiently begin rescue assistance to the injured and prevent further harm to the public.

Simply stated, I believe it is in the public's best interest for the emergency personnel in this state to be able to collaborate while in the midst of an emergency. It is simply no longer acceptable for our citizens to rely on a 50-year-old communication system that is used by our emergency responders. Whether it's the ice storm we are currently digging out of or some other emergency, Missouri's citizens are most likely to be provided with the quickest and safest response with a communication system that is interoperable. We cannot compromise public safety.

Clint Tracy of Cape Girardeau represents the 158th District in the Missouri House of Representatives.