EXECUTIVE ORDER 07-27

WHEREAS, Kansas recognized the importance of public safety and protection of public and private property throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, efficient emergency response is paramount to the safety of Kansas’ citizens and visitors, and for the protection of public and private property throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, emergency responders commonly rely upon radio frequencies and technologies that are often not interoperable; and

WHEREAS, the lack of communications interoperability has the potential to create inefficiencies during emergency response and disaster recovery efforts; and

WHEREAS, interoperable public safety communications between and within jurisdictions is critical to the mission of public safety; and

WHEREAS, the attainment of interoperable communications requires statewide coordination and leadership.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby establish the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (“SIEC”) with the following purposes and charges:

1. Conduct an assessment to better understand the current baseline of communications interoperability in the State of Kansas.
2. Identify and recommend future technologies that will enhance the communications interoperability capability within the State of Kansas.
3. Create a Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan.
4. Manage implementation of the Interoperability Plan.
5. Create statewide best practices, policies, procedures, and protocols for communications interoperability.
6. Provide training opportunities related to communications interoperability for all necessary and authorized public safety practitioners.
7. Provide that the SIEC shall be comprised of a representative who has been given authority to represent the following agencies or organizations:
   1. Kansas Adjutant General
   2. Kansas Highway Patrol
   3. Kansas Department of Transportation
   4. Kansas Sheriff’s Association
   5. Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police
   6. Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs
   7. Kansas Emergency Management Association
   8. Kansas State Board of Emergency Medical Services
   9. Kansas Chapter of Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
8. Provide that the SIEC may designate other members as it believes would further its mission.
9. Provide that the SIEC membership shall be for open-ended terms, and the Chair and Vice-Chair shall be selected by the members on an annual basis.
10. Direct the Kansas Adjutant General to provide staff support for the SIEC.
11. Members of the SIEC shall not receive compensation, subsistence, allowance or associated expenses.  Officers or employees of state agencies who are appointed to the SIEC as part of their duties shall be authorized to participate on the SIEC and may claim subsistence, allowance, mileage or associated expenses as permitted by law.

This document shall be filed with the Secretary of State as Executive Order No. 07-27 and shall become effective immediately.