Emergency Communication Due for Update

Intro: Currently in the event of an emergency, Missouri does not have a communication system in place for statewide correspondence.

Carly Robertson has more from Jefferson City.

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Police and fire departments across the state use a variety of separate communication systems.

Governor Matt Blunt has created a new position within the Department of Public Safety to address these communication barriers.

Mark James, director of the Department of Public Safety, says currently there are numerous radio systems in existence in almost every community across the state.

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Description: "Our challenge is to map out a strategy that makes sense and that is affordable of how we take all these existing systems that are here in Missouri and how do we develop an infrastructure that allows them to inter-operate."

Jim Lundsted has been appointed to the new position, the state's first Interoperable Communications Officer.

Lundsted brings to the position nearly 35 years of governmental communication experience.

James says the department hopes to have a blueprint by the end of the calender year outlining a plan for a system.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Carly Robertson.

Intro: Missouri Public Safety director says the state is about average compared with other states in the realm of statewide emergency communication.

Carly Robertson has more from the state Capitol.

Governor Matt Blunt is taking steps to improve communication systems for emergency dispatches across the state.

Mark James, director of the Department of Public Safety, says this directive will help make up for over twenty years of activity that should have been occurring at the state level.

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Description: "We're making up for lost ground, probably middle of the pack. But neither the Governor nor myself are satisfied with being middle of the pack and we think we can do better for the state of Missouri."

The Governor announced Jim Lundsted as the state's first ever Interoperable Communications Officer.

Lundsted will work closely with James to map out a strategy that will take all the existing emergency systems and develop a structure that allows them to communicate when needed.

James says they hope to have a blueprint for the system by the end of the calender year.

From the state Capitol, I'm Carly Robertson.

Intro: Governor Matt Blunt has created a watchdog position to create a statewide communication system.

Carly Robertson has more from the state Captiol.

A communications expert has taken a position within the state Missouri.

Governor Matt Blunt has named Jim Lundsted as the state's first ever Interoperable Communications Officer.

Blunt appointed Lundsted to help update and establish the state's emergency communication systems.

Spokeswoman for Blunt, Jessica Robinson, says this position will ensure that both local and federal agencies will be able to have direct contact with eachother.

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Description: "The position really allows there to be for the first time ever a true focal point."

Mark James, director of the state's Department of Public Safety, says Lundsted is the perfect person for the job.

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Description: "He knows how to deal well with people. He's very well known in the public safety arena in Missouri and very well respected so that just made him the perfect choice."

From the state Capitol, I'm Carly Robertson.