Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Gustav, Hanna, Ike and Josephine -- we're in the throes of hurricane season.

To help prepare for a hurricane or other disaster along Rhode Island's coast, the city of Newport will be getting money in the 2008 spending appropriations bill to upgrade its communications network.

The more than $350,000 in new federal aid will help the police department for the waterfront city and popular tourist destination replace existing radios with in-car and portable radios, allowing police, fire and rescue departments to communicate on a single frequency.

Responders will also be able to get live video and in-car computer links to each other.

"The landfall of Hurricane Gustav in New Orleans this week was another reminder that our public safety agencies need the best tools available to respond to natural disasters and other catastrophic events," U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said in a statement this morning.

The Rhode Island Democrat is a member of the appropriations committee. He and fellow Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse worked on securing the funds. This morning, Reed, Newport City Manager Edward Lavallee and Newport Police Chief Michael McKenna announced the funding.

"Whether it's a hurricane, a snowstorm, or some other threat," Reed said, "a robust communication system is an essential tool for Rhode Island's first responders who work hard to save lives and safeguard our businesses, homes, and public infrastructure."

 Tags  Newport Sen. Jack Reed Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

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