FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 4, 2008

Contact: Annie Boehnke Washington Press Secretary (202) 225-1640

CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR ANNOUNCES $615,200 FOR CITY OF MCALLEN FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND REGIONAL RADIO INTEROPERABILITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar announced today a $615,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the City of McAllen Fire Department. In an effort to increase firefighter safety and response, the funds will be used to enhance and expand regional radio interoperability between McAllen, Edinburg, Linn-San Manuel, Mission and Pharr.

Specifically, the grant will improve firefighter safety and mitigate harm and loss of property by providing firefighters with P-25 compliant interoperable radios. Radio interoperability between jurisdictions has been a long-standing problem in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and most radios throughout the region have exceeded their life expectancies by several years and are no longer serviceable. All radio systems in the region, regardless of condition, do not meet current P-25 radio standards, which is the mark for interoperable digital two-way wireless communications products. McAllen will use the funds to replace old, obsolete and non-compliant radios in the region. 

“As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and as Chairman of the subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, I am proud to see grant dollars delivered to the Valley region,” Congressman Cuellar said. “It is critical to increase the ability of first responders to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. I thank Congressman Ruben Hinojosa for his hard work, and I congratulate the City of McAllen for working with the region to secure these important funds.”

“This grant award is the result of a collaborative effort between five neighboring fire departments from the Cities of Edinburg, Linn-San Manuel, McAllen, Mission, and Pharr,” Ruben Saenz, a representative for the City of McAllen, said. “This grant will help us work together to improve radio communications interoperability between the participating jurisdictions and will benefit the entire South Texas region.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program is a component of the Administration’s larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the nation’s level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards.

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress.  Accessibility to constituents, education, health care and economic development are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.