Firefighters endorse McCaskill

State Auditor Claire McCaskill stood in the shadow of the Firefighters Memorial across from City Hall in downtown St. Louis and promised to get the funds to implement the upgrades and integration of emergency worker communications systems that was recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

In its report in July of 2004, The 9/11 Commission cited the lack of proper communication as a contributing factor in the deaths of the hundreds of first-responders who died in the buildings collapse.

In a report card released in December of 2005, the Commission rated the efforts to release the needed radio spectrum to the emergency services a n F. The Commission allowed the option of moving up to a C if legislation pending at the time to set a firm date for the release was passed, but the legislation failed.

McCaskill said it was irresponsible of the Republican leadership to not move on these improvements in the 5 years since September 11th.

"They have failed to act in this most fundamental way," said McCaskill.

Standing in front of a fire engine and flanked by a number of members of Missouri firefighters unions decked out in yellow "Firefighters for Claire" t-shirts, McCaskill said she was proud to support rebuilding the communications systems and proud to receive the support of the firefighters unions.

"We'll get you your money, we'll get you your radio," said McCaskill to some of the firefighters she shook hands with as the event broke up.

Present for the event were members of the Sr. Louis Firefighters, Local 73, Mehlville Fire Fighters, Local 1889, and the Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri, Local 2665.

"It's a disgrace," said Bruce Williams, Secretary and Treasurer for the Missouri State Council of Firefighters. "We have launched the space shuttle how many times in the last five years? But a fireman can not talk to a policeman can not talk to a paramedic."

Introducing McCaskill, Williams said that St. Louis faces the same issues they faced in New York in 2001.

Williams said they were happy to support McCaskill and were encouraged by her support for improved communications systems.