Gillibrand: Pass emergency communication bill

WASHINGTON — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for passage of legislation she says will make it easier for the hundreds of police and fire agencies around New York to communicate with each other during emergencies. Gillibrand is backing legislation that would set aside airwaves for first responders to build a nationwide wireless broadband network so they could communicate seamlessly with each other. The 9/11 Commission Report pointed to shortcomings in the communications systems used by first responders during the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City in 2001. Gillibrand says the 1,791 fire departments and 568 police departments in New York state cannot all communicate effectively with each other during emergencies.