Title: An act relating to emergency communications.

Brief Description: Establishing a pilot project to design and test a command and control data system.

Sponsors: Representatives Anderson, O'Brien, Pearson and Kessler.

Brief History:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 2/9/07, 2/21/07 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Morris, Chair; McCoy, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; McCune, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eddy, Hankins, Hudgins, Hurst, Takko and VanDeWege.

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) was created by the Legislature in 2003 to enhance the interoperability of state and local emergency communications systems. The SIEC is charged with managing the state's investment in communications facilities and frequencies licensed to the state. In 2006, the SIEC designated the Washington State Patrol (WSP) as the lead agency for implementing and managing the state interoperability project.

The 2010 Task Force was commissioned by Governor Gregoire to assess the impacts and the economic development opportunities of the 2010 Olympics Games to be held in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The Security Subcommittee of the 2010 Task Force is charged with working as part of a compact called the Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Arrangement (PNEMA) to ensure seamless mutual response and interoperability for responders cross-border and regionally. This compact will assist security support for travel into and from British Columbia in support of the Olympic games, as well as support other emergency and disaster responses that may occur near the Washington - British Columbia, Canadian border.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) shall establish a pilot project to design and test a web-based reporting system. This program must be developed in conjunction with the proposed interoperability project for Region 1 to prepare security for the 2010 Olympic Games.

The project must have the following capabilities:

• compatibility with existing, legacy emergency radio systems;
• open architecture design;
• automated reporting and tracking in a geographic information systems environment; and
• redundant communications pathways, including web-based satellite links.

The SIEC shall report to the Legislature and the Governor by December 1, 2008.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill moves responsibility for the pilot project from the Military Department to the SIEC. The substitute bill adds that the project shall be developed in conjunction with the proposed interoperability project for Region 1 to prepare security for the 2010 Olympic Games. The substitute bill specifies that the project will be a web-based reporting system rather than a command and control data system. The substitute bill removes from the reporting requirements a feasibility and cost study for implementing the command and control data system.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The purpose of this bill is to enhance public safety. The key is figuring out how to get information to first responders when they need it. Including information in a GIS point-of-view for incident managers to use seems like a good approach. This concept is a well-proven system. The recent storm reminds us of the importance of strengthening our public safety response.

(With technical concerns) Emergency management does not necessarily involve a command and control response. Support is coordinated through an incident response system. We already have WebEOC, which allows for a common operating picture. We already have redundant communication pathways. We have pilot projects in place right now that address this issue. The Washington State Interoperability Executive Committee, led by the Washington State Patrol, is the appropriate entity to lead this project.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Anderson, prime sponsor.

(With technical concerns) Tim Clark, Military Department.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.