Friday, June 30, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Executive Order Establishing Interoperable Communication Committee
JEFFERSON CITY–Continuing his pledge to ensure Missouri has adequate resources to respond in a disaster, Gov. Matt Blunt signed Executive Order 06-23 creating a Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) to develop a communications strategic plan.
“During crisis situations the ability to communicate at optimal efficiency, in real time, and across jurisdictions is critical,” Blunt said. “Achieving this goal will allow public safety responders to share information more effectively during day-to-day operations and major emergency situations.”
Director of Public Safety Mark James will chair the ten-member committee under the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
The committee is tasked with identifying interoperable communications best practices; promoting effective interoperable communications among local, state, federal, and critical infrastructure radio users in Missouri; and ensuring that future state radio systems comply with interoperability standards, policies, and practices. The SIEC will generate a communications strategic plan to serve as the vision to establish and maintain interoperable communications initiatives among Missouri’s public safety and critical infrastructure communities.
Today’s order also fulfills a recommendation from the governor’s Missouri State Government Review Commission calling for the Department of Public Safety to oversee a statewide emergency communication system. This strategic plan will be presented to the governor by Oct. 15, 2006.
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