BILL REQ. #:  H-1988.2 

Read first time 02/14/2007.   Referred to Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications.

     AN ACT Relating to a statewide enhanced 911 emergency radio network to improve public notification during an ongoing emergency; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that there is an information gap between emergency personnel and the general public in the event of an ongoing emergency situation. The legislature further finds that the public would be better served if it had access to a radio network that would provide updated, regional information on the status of the ongoing emergency, as well as what resources were available.
     (2) The adjutant general shall establish a work group to study how to enhance the delivery of emergency information to the general public in the event of an ongoing emergency. The work group shall consist, at a minimum, of the following members:
     (a) A representative of the Washington state association of broadcasters;
     (b) A representative of the emergency alert system;
     (c) A representative of the national weather service;
     (d) A representative of the Washington military department division of emergency management;
     (e) A representative of a local emergency management organization;
     (f) A representative of the Washington state patrol; and
     (g) A member of the general public.
     (3) The work group shall consider the following issues:
     (a) How to create a layered approach to delivering updated information in the event of an ongoing emergency to the general public;
     (b) How to use the existing emergency alert system to coordinate delivery of updated information in the event of an ongoing emergency;
     (c) How to create redundancies in the system to ensure that updated information in the event of an ongoing emergency will be available;
     (d) How to improve coordination between the emergency alert system and local broadcast stations to ensure a seamless transfer of information to the public on an ongoing basis; and
     (e) What types of information the public needs the most in the aftermath of an emergency.
     (4) By December 1, 2007, the adjutant general shall submit a report to the legislature and the governor, indicating recommendations for enhancing the delivery of emergency information to the public.
     (5) The definitions in RCW 38.52.010 apply throughout this section.