Executive Order Number One Hundred Four Establishment of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Council
WHEREAS, the safety of all Delawareans is of paramount importance; and
WHEREAS, public safety communications provide a critical role in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission is adopting changes that will 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, data, and video information is critical to the mission of public safety; and
WHEREAS, state agencies along with federal, local, and private entities with similar communications requirements should work cooperatively and identify approaches to promote and enhance statewide interoperability; and
WHEREAS, opportunities exist to assist in the promotion of coordination and cooperation of a statewide interoperability goal, which is an ongoing and long-term effort; and
WHEREAS, the attainment of interoperable public safety communications requires statewide coordination and leadership,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby declare and order as follows:
1. The Delaware Statewide Interoperability Executive Council (hereinafter, “the SIEC”) is hereby created.
2. The members of the SIEC shall be appointed by the Governor. The SIEC shall consist of the following members:
a. The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security or his or her designee;
b. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation or his or her designee;
c. The Chief Information Officer of the State of Delaware or his or her designee;
d. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services or his or her designee;
e. The Commissioner of the Department of Correction or his or her designee;
f. The Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard or his or her designee;
g. A representative of New Castle County Government;
h. A representative of Kent County Government;
i. A representative of Sussex County Government;
j. A representative of the City of Wilmington;
k. A representative of the Delaware League of Local Governments;
l. A representative of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association;
m. A representative of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council;
n. A representative of the Delaware Public Service Commission;
o. A representative of the Office of the Governor; and
p. Other members as recommended by the SIEC and approved by the Governor.
3. All members of the SIEC shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland shall be the Chairperson of the SIEC.
4. The Chairperson of the SIEC may form subcommittees consistent with the needs of the SIEC to address public safety interoperability issues including, but not limited to: technical support, operations support, and training support. The subcommittees may include individuals who are not members of the SIEC but who have an interest or expertise in public safety interoperability issues. Each subcommittee shall be chaired by a member of the SIEC.
5. The purpose of the SIEC shall be to provide policy level direction and promote efficient and effective use of resources for matters related to public safety communications interoperability. To that end it shall:
a. Develop a statewide communications interoperability plan;
b. Develop standards for public safety communications to ensure consistent development of existing and future communications infrastructure;
c. Promote cooperation among state, federal, and local public safety agencies in addressing statewide communications interoperability needs in Delaware;
d. Review priorities for statewide communications interoperability needs and assist in the development of projects, plans, policies, standards, priorities and guidelines for communications interoperability;
e. Ensure adequate wireless spectrum to accommodate all public safety communications; and
f. Provide recommendations to the Governor and the Delaware General Assembly, when appropriate, concerning issues related to statewide communications interoperability for public safety in Delaware.
6. The SIEC shall operate in accordance with bylaws that it adopts. These bylaws may be amended, supplemented or repealed by the SIEC.
Approved: November 21, 2007.
