Here are recent Fire Chief's columns from
The Arizona Republic
City
of Phoenix Public Information Office - News Clippings - azcentral.com
- February 6, 2010
Public safety benefits from federal funds
Last week, Public Safety Manager Jack Harris and I made a short trip to Washington, DC. While we were there, we were able to meet with most of the members of our congressional delegation as well as officials from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. In many communities around the United States, a joint trip by the heads of the Police and Fire Departments would be unheard of.
The members of the Phoenix Fire Department and the members of the Phoenix Police Department work hand-in-hand at every level to provide the best possible service to the citizens of Phoenix. Our cooperation has been recognized as the model for public safety working relationships. We work hard to communicate at every level – it’s what our customers expect of us.
Our trip last week was an effort to gain support for the City of Phoenix from our members of Congress and to visit with officials at Justice and Homeland Security to let them know about the public safety needs of Phoenix. The Federal government provides important support for programs delivered in Phoenix and for equipment that improves the day-to-day operations of your Police and Fire Departments.
Federal funds were recently used to make major upgrades to the public safety radio communications system in Phoenix. The Arizona Office of Emergency Management provided Federal grant funds to install seven radio transmitter sites on the highest mountains in the Phoenix area. The total funds received for this project were in excess of $7.4 million. This system literally makes it possible for police officers and firefighters to communicate with one another while responding to emergencies.
In the past five years, Jack Harris has been fortunate enough to bring over $17 million in Federal technology grants to Phoenix. In addition to the radio tower project, these funds have been used to improve technology in patrol cars, the crime lab, and to improve crime fighting computer systems.
The Phoenix Fire Department has also been the recipient of Federal funds to train and equip our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, provide safety training for firefighters, and to purchase additional radio equipment for firefighters. This training is put to use every day in Phoenix.
The Phoenix Police and Fire Departments participate in the UASI program funded by the Department of Homeland Security. UASI stands for Urban Areas Security Initiative. These funds are provided by the Federal government to urban areas like Phoenix for the use of public safety responders to improve communications, training, and equipment. The UASI effort in the Phoenix area involves the cooperation of over 40 public safety agencies.
The funding provided by the Federal government for public safety programs in Phoenix helps us be better trained and prepared to serve our customers. The cooperation that exists between your Police and Fire departments makes us more effective as we seek these important sources of funding.
Some additional good news arrived as I was writing this column. We were notified by the United States Fire Administration that we have been awarded a half million dollar grant to purchase thermal imaging cameras. This equipment literally allows our firefighters to see through smoke as they perform search and rescue in a building that is on fire. Our hope is to better protect this community. Be safe.
Send comments to Bob Khan at firechief.pfd@phoenix.gov or call (602) 26-CHIEF.