Executive Order

EXECUTIVE ORDER RECREATING THE MONTANA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL

    WHEREAS, the public safety of the citizens of Montana is of paramount importance; and

    WHEREAS, public safety communications continues to play a critical role in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Montana; and

    WHEREAS, the State's public safety communications infrastructure is rapidly changing and becoming outdated; and

    WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission is adopting changes that affect the ability of public safety communications systems to interoperate with one another, due to new technology and shifts in standards; and

    WHEREAS, the effectiveness of public safety communications between jurisdictions to cooperate and coordinate voice and data information is critical to the mission of public safety; and

    WHEREAS, the Public Safety Communications Council, as set forth in Executive Order No. 21-97, has completed Phase II of the Montana Public Safety Communications System Design; and

    WHEREAS, the Public Safety Communications Council has recommended that state agencies with federal, local, and private entities with similar communications requirements continue to work cooperatively and identify approaches to promote and enhance statewide interoperability; and

    WHEREAS, there exist opportunities to assist in the promotion of coordination and cooperation of a statewide interoperability goal, which is an ongoing and long-term effort.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARC RACICOT, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the laws and Constitution of the State of Montana, do hereby recreate the Montana Public Safety Communications Council as set forth in Executive Order No. 21-97, signed on November 13, 1997.

I. PURPOSE

    The purpose of the Montana Public Safety Communications Council is to provide policy level direction for matters related to planning, designing and implementing guidelines, best practices, and standard approaches to solve Montana's public safety communications interoperability problems and to leverage any opportunity in support of a statewide system, including seeking federal funding, or other funding, for statewide interoperability. To that end it shall:

1. establish a joint approach to wireless interoperability among public safety entities within Montana;
2. exercise authority for strategic decision-making with regard to Montana's public safety communications by:
1. researching and evaluating best practices;
2. developing recommendations for statewide standards;
3. fostering coordination and cooperation among agencies;
4. making recommendations to provide statewide assistance;
5. acting as an information clearinghouse;
6. serving as a policy point of contact for local, regional, and national interoperability matters;
7. developing recommendations for legislation that may be required to further promote interoperability;
8. considering other policy issues related to solving Montana's public safety communications interoperability problems; and
9. exploring opportunities for inter-agency and regional systems and develop methods for inter-agency cooperation.

II. COMPOSITION

The Council shall consist of fifteen (15) members appointed by the Governor, as identified below:

1. the Director of the Department of Administration (or designee) who shall chair the Council;
2. a representative from local government who will represent the local government operations of the municipalities, cities, and towns of Montana;
3. a representative from local government who will represent the county government operations of Montana;
4. two local representatives from the federal government who will represent the operations of the public safety departments, agencies, and bureaus of the federal government;
5. two representatives from state agencies who will represent state government operations;
6. two representatives from law enforcement who will represent the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police and the Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association;
7. a representative from the emergency medical services community from the State of Montana;
8. a representative of the citizens at large from the State of Montana;
9. a representative from the fire protective services of the State of Montana;
10. a representative from the 9-1-1 community for the State of Montana;
11. a Tribal representative;
12. a representative who will represent the Montana Power Company and other private utilities participating as private entities.

    The Department of Administration/Information Services Division will provide assistance to obtain technical and administrative support for the Council.

    The names and addresses of members appointed by the Governor shall be submitted by separate appointment letters to the Secretary of State.

III. DURATION

    This Council shall exist for a period of two years from the effective date of this Order unless otherwise ordered by subsequent Executive Order.

    This order is effective immediately.

	GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana, this ___ day of __________, 2000. MARC RACICOT, Governor
ATTEST: MIKE COONEY, Secretary of State