118 STAT. 3847 PUBLIC LAW 108–458—DEC. 17, 2004 (1) UNDER SECRETARY FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.—Section 502(7) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 312(7)) is amended— (A) by striking ‘‘developing comprehensive programs for developing interoperative communications technology, and’’; and (B) by striking ‘‘such’’ and inserting ‘‘interoperable communications’’. (2) OFFICE FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS.—Section 430(c) of such Act (6 U.S.C. 238(c)) is amended— (A) in paragraph (7) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi- colon; (B) in paragraph (8) by striking the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(9) helping to ensure the acquisition of interoperable communication technology by State and local governments and emergency response providers.’’. (i) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING INTEROPERABLE COMMU- NICATIONS.— (1) FINDING.—The Congress finds that— (A) many first responders working in the same jurisdic- tion or in different jurisdictions cannot effectively and effi- ciently communicate with one another; and (B) their inability to do so threatens the public’s safety and may result in unnecessary loss of lives and property. (2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that interoperable emergency communications systems and radios should continue to be deployed as soon as practicable for use by the first responder community, and that upgraded and new digital communications systems and new digital radios must meet prevailing national, voluntary consensus standards for interoperability. SEC. 7304. REGIONAL MODEL STRATEGIC PLAN PILOT PROJECTS. (a) PILOT PROJECTS.—Consistent with sections 302 and 430 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 182, 238), not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish not fewer than 2 pilot projects in high threat urban areas or regions that are likely to implement a national model strategic plan. (b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the pilot projects required by this section shall be to develop a regional strategic plan to foster interagency communication in the area in which it is established and coordinate the gathering of all Federal, State, and local first responders in that area, consistent with the national strategic plan developed by the Department of Homeland Security. (c) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting urban areas for the loca- tion of pilot projects under this section, the Secretary shall consider— (1) the level of risk to the area, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security; (2) the number of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies located in the area; (3) the number of potential victims from a large scale terrorist attack in the area; and Deadline. 6 USC 194 note. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00381 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4
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