NEWSReport No. DC 96-6                       ACTION IN DOCKET CASE January 29, 1996

                       FCC AFFIRMS CREATION OF THE 
                  EMERGENCY MEDICAL RADIO SERVICE (EMRS) 
                             (PR DOCKET 91-72)

     The FCC affirmed the action taken in the Report and Order (FCC No. 93-32) in this
proceeding establishing the Emergency Medical Radio Service (EMRS) as a new Public
Safety Radio Service under Subpart B of Part 90 of the Commission's Rules.

     The Commission affirmed the reassignment of certain 453 MHz frequencies primarily
used for emergency medical communications from the Special Emergency Radio Service
(SERS) to the EMRS.  The FCC stated that it has the authority to change spectrum
allocations by rule making procedures without first providing a hearing to licensees
previously assigned the relevant frequencies.  In addressing the frequency reallocation issue,
the Commission found that the needs of the medical community warranted priority.  Further,
the reassigned frequencies were chosen to minimize disruption to the remaining non-EMRS
SERS entities.  As these frequencies are in the same band as the 460 MHz MED channels,
they are compatible with existing multi-channel mobile equipment already used for
emergency medical communication.  This compatibility will promote system expansion thus
serving the needs of the public safety community.      
      
     The FCC also granted a request by ProNet, Inc., to permanently grandfather its
medical paging system operating on 453.125 MHz in the Chicago metropolitan area pursuant
to provisions in the Report and Order.  The Commission stated that although ProNet was
only required to meet one criterion, it met all the established criteria to justify grant of the
waiver request.  First, it appeared that ProNet's system is intensely utilized and migration to
another channel would involve significant cost and disruption to current medical paging
operations.  Permanently grandfathering Petitioner's paging system would prevent
interruption of these important public safety communications.  Second, since there is no
reasonable alternative for ProNet's medical paging system in the Chicago area, relocation of
its system would not serve the public interest.  Third, as MED channel capacity continues to
be available in metropolitan Chicago, it appears there is adequate spectrum for emergency
medical transmissions in Chicago.  

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     Finally, the FCC permitted licensees eligible to operate radio facilities as medical
services, rescue organizations, disaster relief organizations and beach patrols to use
narrowband channels 161-170 to enable them  -- while conducting safety-of-life
communications -- to communicate with one another.  These four SERS service categories
need frequencies for Mutual Aid purposes.  Permitting those licensed in these categories to
use channels 161-170 in the 220-222 MHz band will serve the public interest by enhancing
interoperability between many types of emergency providers in safety-of-life situations.

     Action by the Commission January 18,  1996, by Memorandum Opinion and Order
(FCC 96-11).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness and Chong.

                                   -FCC-


     News Media contact: Stacey Reuben Mesa or Kara Palamaras at (202) 418-0654.
     Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Freda Lippert Thyden at (202) 418-
0680.