If this year has taught us anything, it is that the risk of wildfire has increased beyond what has historically been considered fire season. Almost anywhere and at any moment, wildfires can start.
Given this new reality, efforts must be made to enhance community safety and connectedness during natural disasters, particularly as the magnitude and scope of these catastrophes continue to increase. It is imperative that our legislators prioritize enhancing the resilience of our communities. This is why the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation is pleased to endorse Assembly Bill 470, which is presently being considered by the California State Legislature and is sponsored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor.
To make sure AB 470 reflects the requirements of various communities throughout the state, including the public safety community, policy officials and important stakeholders from a range of interests have been in cooperative discussions over the past few months.
The end effect is sensible legislation that reflects a careful, progressive strategy for updating California’s communications infrastructure.
By giving the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department better tools, training, technology, and essential community outreach and program resources, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation hopes to increase the department’s capabilities. To put it briefly, we purchase their capes even if we are not the heroes.
We ensure that our first responders in San Diego are as efficient as possible in carrying out their duties and saving lives. The means and resources to accomplish it will be made available under AB 470.
We need updated communications networks to guarantee Californians have access to trustworthy information in real time because our state is vulnerable to natural disasters and erratic weather events. Among other vital information requirements, we must make sure our public safety community has the resources it needs to communicate effectively during emergencies, find individuals more quickly, and issue alerts and cautions.
As wild weather changes, our communities expand, and our demands for connectivity rise, we must be astute and prepare for a future that necessitates faster, better communications. The growing demands placed on the public safety infrastructure throughout the year will be too much for our current system to manage.
Because it encourages investment in more robust, dependable technologies that will enhance emergency response, AB 470 offers valuable resources that will fortify our communications networks.
The use of advanced communications technologies before, during, and after emergencies is crucial for situational awareness and decision-making in a variety of situations, including firefighting, responding to floods, landslides, earthquakes, school safety, search and rescue, recovery operations, and much more. This is best understood by first responders.
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The truth is that mobile technology have been shown to be safer and more dependable than antiquated options in emergency situations. Public safety authorities will be able to meet the community where they are with contemporary, secure, and dependable options thanks to investments in modern connectivity that makes these technologies feasible.
AB 470 is therefore necessary.
A public safety communications system that offers improved 9-1-1, including video and text-to-9-1-1, is currently being implemented by several departments as part of their network migrations; nevertheless, this capacity necessitates investments in modern and developing technology.
We urge legislators and interested parties to back AB 470 as it continues its journey through the Legislature because it is a historic piece of legislation that best protects consumers, upholds access to vital voice services, and sets up our public safety leaders and Californians for success.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation’s executive director is Wendy Moore.
