Governor Pawlenty today signed an executive order making the Statewide Radio Board (SRB) the coordinating entity for Minnesota’s Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC). The SIEC’s mission is to develop a statewide plan to increase interoperability with public safety communications equipment.

The SRB will develop and adopt guidelines and operational standards for local and private public safety communications interoperability within Minnesota and will promote coordination among local, state, federal and tribal public safety agencies in addressing statewide communications interoperability within the state.

This order is part of Governor Pawlenty’s ongoing goal to improve emergency response planning in Minnesota.

The following is the text of Executive Order 07-15:

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable laws, including Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 12.21, Subdivision 3, do hereby issue this executive order:

WHEREAS, communication between emergency first responders, emergency management personnel and other vital emergency services is an essential element in the ability of federal, state and local governments to respond effectively during an emergency; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”) has provided for the creation of a Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (“SIEC”) within each state to administer wireless public safety communication interoperability resources; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Public Safety is charged with coordinating public safety resources within the state, chairs the Statewide Radio Board, and is otherwise responsible for coordinating existing public safety communication resources; and

WHEREAS, in 2002, the FCC assigned the SIEC responsibilities to the Region 22 700 MHz Regional Planning Committee, because the state did not specifically identify an alternative agency to administer the federal responsibilities on behalf of the state; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Statewide Radio Board is the entity authorized in Minnesota statutes to coordinate the integration of the statewide, shared radio and communication system among regions, adjoining states, federal entities, and to the extent permitted by law, with Canadian public safety entities; and

WHEREAS, the Region 22 700 MHz Regional Planning Committee has indicated its concurrence and willingness to transfer the SIEC responsibilities to the Statewide Radio Board as the entity best suited to serve as the state SIEC and to coordinate all aspects of public safety interoperable communications between all levels of governmental and private entities.

WHEREAS, there also needs to be coordination between federal, state, local and tribal public safety agencies in planning to replace the public safety communication infrastructure within the state, and it is beneficial for the state to develop standard operating procedures for public safety communications that promote the highest level of communications interoperability between federal, state, local and tribal public safety agencies and personnel; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby order that:

1. The Statewide Radio Board created under Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 403.36 is nominated as the Minnesota’s Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC).

a. The Statewide Radio Board will request FCC to assign the responsibilities of the SIEC to the Statewide Radio Board from the Region 22 700 MHz Regional Planning Committee.

b. The commissioner of public safety will take whatever action may be necessary to ensure that the Statewide Radio Board is able to fulfill the responsibilities as Minnesota’s SIEC.

2. The Statewide Radio Board shall have the following additional responsibilities as Minnesota’s SIEC:

a. To develop and maintain a statewide plan for local and private public safety communications interoperability that integrates with the Minnesota Emergency Operation Plan (“MEOP”).

b. To develop and adopt guidelines and operational standards for local and private public safety communications interoperability within Minnesota;

c. To promote coordination and cooperation among local, state, federal and tribal public safety agencies in addressing statewide public safety communications interoperability within Minnesota;

d. To advise the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Advisory Committee on public safety communications interoperability and upon the allocation of homeland security funding and other funding that may be available for supporting public safety communications interoperability.

e. To the extent permitted by federal law, FCC regulations and the National Institute of Technology Administration, to develop guidelines and standards for the use of interoperability frequencies on all frequency spectrums assigned to public safety users.

f. To the extent permitted by state law, federal law and treaties with Canada, develop guidelines and standards that support interoperability with adjoining states and with provinces of Canada along Minnesota’s northern border.

3. In fulfilling these responsibilities the Commissioner of Public Safety should seek input and participation from federal, local and tribal public safety officials, including emergency management officials within the state and ensure that all regions of the state are represented.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subd. 2, this Order shall be effective fifteen (15) days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect until rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2006, 4.035, subdivision 3.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 2nd day of October, 2007.