A proposal to work toward standardized emergency communications equipment has been forwarded to Governor Matt Blunt. The Homeland Security Advisory Council wants to better coordinate a patch-work of communication systems used by emergency crews throughout Missouri. State Public Safety Director Mark James says the Council has proposed an executive order for the Governor to sign. It would formalize a work group which has already been looking into the problem. James says response to the damage caused by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast was hampered, because of a lack of standardized communication equipment. He says police must be able to talk to ambulance crews which must be able to communicate with firefighters and others.
