SAFECOM and the National Council of Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) sent an Aug. 11 letter to Brian E. Kamoie, assistant administrator for the Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging FEMA to require Project 25 (P25) compliance for all grantees.  The letter provided recommendations for strengthening grantee compliance with P25 standards. Currently, the annual “SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants” allows grantees to submit written justification for non-standards purchases when needed. SAFECOM and NCSWIC said the clause creates a loophole for state and local agencies to purchase nonstandard equipment, hindering interoperability. Thus, SAFECOM and NCSWIC proposed three recommendations for establishing stronger P25 compliance standards.

SAFECOM Pushes P25 Requirements for FEMA Grants (9/2) – Mission Critical Communications