THE GOVERNOR
Title 4—ADMINISTRATION
[44 Pa.B. 7819]
[Saturday, December 20, 2014]
PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
[ 4 PA. CODE CH. 6 ]
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2014-06 ]
Interoperable Public Safety and Emergency Communications Governance December 2, 2014
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognizes the importance of public safety and emergency response communications through the support of the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) of Title XVIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 United States Code 101 et seq.), as amended in 2006, that establishes a minimum level of interoperable communications to improve nationwide response efforts and bolster situational awareness, information sharing, and command and control operations that drive measurable and sustainable improvements consistent with the National Response Framework, National Incident Management System, National Preparedness Guidelines, and National Preparedness Goal in coordination with stakeholders from all levels of government and from the private sector; and
Whereas, the NECP seeks to build on the substantial progress that has been made over the last several years among the key developments at the federal, state, regional, and local levels, the commonwealth seeks to do the same through the continued development and implementation of Pennsylvania's Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) that identifies near- and long-term initiatives for improving public safety and emergency response communications interoperability; and
Whereas, the majority of emergency incidents occur at the local level, the Governor's Office of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in coordination with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), works to improve emergency communications: specifically, operability, interoperability, and continuity of communications; and
Whereas, the commonwealth accepts the recommendation of the OEC to create a Statewide Interoperability Governing Board (SIGB) to ensure effective and efficient interoperable communications among public safety and emergency response agencies at all levels of government to support the continued development and implementation of the commonwealth's SCIP, originally approved in 2007 and filed with DHS; and
Whereas, the U.S. Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 authorizes the construction of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and establishes the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), requiring FirstNet to consult with state and local jurisdictions, the commonwealth recognizes the need to establish a committee that can effectively collect the requirements of Pennsylvania's public safety community and communicate them to FirstNet.
Now, Therefore, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution ofthe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do formally establish the Governor's Public Safety Communications Council.
Governor
Fiscal Note: GOV-14-06. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 4. ADMINISTRATION
PART I. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
CHAPTER 6. ADDITIONAL COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES
Subchapter UU. GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL Sec.
6.561. Purpose. 6.562. Responsibilities. 6.563. Composition. 6.564. Cooperation by State agencies. 6.565. Bylaws and subcommittees. 6.566. Reports. 6.567. Effective date. 6.568. Termination date. § 6.561. Purpose.
The purpose of the Governor's Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) is to create a central intergovernmental and interdisciplinary body for interoperable communications planning and implementation to mitigate the challenges of interoperable communications for public safety and emergency communications. The PSCC will serve as the Commonwealth's Statewide Interoperability Governing Board.
§ 6.562. Responsibilities.
The Governor's Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) does not have authority to make binding directives, but shall recommend means for agencies, the Governor, and other public safety and emergency communications organizations to achieve the following goals:
(1) Operability. Ensure the ability to establish and sustain emergency communications in support of mission operations.
(2) Interoperability. Ensure emergency communications capability among jurisdictions, disciplines and levels of government, across frequency bands and technologies, in real time, as needed and as authorized.
(3) Continuity of communications. Ensure the ability of emergency response agencies to maintain communications in the event of damage to or destruction of the primary infrastructure.
(4) Strategic planning. Maintain Pennsylvania's Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP), on file with the United States Department of Homeland Security, and oversee its implementation.
(5) Inter-jurisdictional agreements. Promote and oversee the establishment of communications interoperability agreements among jurisdictions.
(6) Grants. Review State, county and local emergency communications grant applications in accordance with Federal grant guidelines to ensure consistency with the Statewide plan.
(7) Policy. Promote and oversee the development and enforcement of policies, standards and procedures for interoperable communications.
(8) Outreach. Develop and implement an interoperability outreach plan to ensure awareness of Federal and State policies, programs, standards and initiatives for interoperable emergency communications.
(9) Measurement and evaluation. Measure progress in communications interoperability against the goals and standards in Pennsylvania's SCIP to ensure that the decisions of the PSCC are guided by accurate assessment of progress.
§ 6.563. Composition.
(a) The Governor's Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) shall be comprised of the following members, each of whom will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor:
(1) A designee appointed by the Governor, who shall serve as Chairperson.
(2) Three county commissioners as designated by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
(3) One representative from up to 20 associations and other organizations representing public safety and emergency communications practitioners and communications and utility industry sectors, to include the following:
(i) Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.
(ii) Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council.
(iii) Energy Association of Pennsylvania.
(iv) Pennsylvania Telephone Association.
(v) Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association.
(vi) Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.
(vii) Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association.
(viii) Keystone Emergency Management Association.
(ix) Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.
(x) Firemen's Association State of Pennsylvania.
(xi) Pennsylvania Wireless Association.
(xii) Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania.
(xiii) Pennsylvania Municipal League.
(b) The PSCC shall be comprised of the following members, each of whom shall serve by virtue of their public positions:
(1) Chief Information Officer, Office for Information Technology, Governor's Office of Administration or a designee.
(2) Commissioner, Pennsylvania State Police or a designee.
(3) Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency or a designee.
(4) Director, Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security or a designee.
(5) Superintendent, Capitol Police Department, Department of General Services or a designee.
(6) Secretary, Department of Corrections or a designee.
(7) Secretary, Department of Transportation or a designee.
(8) The Adjutant General, Pennsylvania National Guard or a designee.
(9) Secretary, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or a designee.
(10) Secretary, Department of Health or a designee.
(11) Pennsylvania Attorney General or a designee.
(12) Chairperson, Board of Probation and Parole or a designee.
(13) Chairperson, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission or a designee.
(14) Chairperson, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or a designee.
(15) Executive Director, Game Commission or a designee.
(16) Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission or a designee.
(17) Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner or a designee.
(18) Director, Governor's Policy Office or a designee.
(19) Governor's General Counsel or a designee.
(c) The PSCC shall be comprised of the following legislative appointments with one member appointed by each of the following:
(1) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2) The Minority Leader of the Senate.
(3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
§ 6.564. Cooperation by State agencies.
Agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction shall cooperate with the Governor's Public Safety Communications Council and provide assistance and support as needed to help carry out its functions effectively.
§ 6.565. Bylaws and subcommittees.
The Governor's Public Safety Communications Council shall create bylaws and subcommittees as necessary to meet the responsibilities in this chapter.
§ 6.566. Reports.
The Chairperson of the Governor's Public Safety Communications Council will make an annual summary of proceedings to the Governor and will refer any urgent issues to the Governor for resolution.
§ 6.567. Effective date.
This subchapter takes effect immediately.
§ 6.568. Termination date.
This subchapter remains in effect unless revised or modified by the Governor.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-2608. Filed for public inspection December 19, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
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