(a) On or before July 1, 2017, the director shall appoint the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator from a recommendation of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), who shall be employed by and report to the director. The coordinator shall have at a minimum five years’ experience in overseeing and managing major communications systems and supervising employees.

(b) The coordinator shall oversee the state’s interoperable communications efforts in planning and coordinating a statewide interoperable radio network that serves the state’s first responders and other users of the network.

(c) The coordinator shall provide recommendations to the director to determine statewide priorities related to interoperable communications and shall work with all agencies to ensure the greatest input to the plans.

(d) The coordinator shall ensure all interoperable communications funds and functions of this state are coordinated to the maximum extent with the comparable functions of the federal government including its various departments and agencies, of other states and localities and of private agencies of every type, so that the most effective preparation and use may be made of the nation’s and this state’s communications resources and facilities for dealing with any disaster or emergency that may occur.

(e) The coordinator will provide the Statewide Interoperable Radio Network approved compatibility equipment list to any state spending unit or state agency, including purchases on behalf of state agencies, county and local first responder agencies for purchases of two-way radio, microwave or satellite equipment and related services, or purchases that utilize state or federal funds distributed to local entities by the State of West Virginia. The purchase of any equipment not on the approved compatibility list must receive prior approval from the coordinator.

(f) The coordinator is the point of contact for any public or private entity or individual seeking information about the Radio Network;

(g) Prior to any state agency proceeding with a major communications project, an agency shall submit to the coordinator a project proposal, outlining the need for the project, the proposed technology solution, if known, and an explanation of how the project will support the agency’s objective and the state’s strategic interoperable communications plan.

(h) The coordinator shall perform any other duties as may be prescribed by the director.

(i) If a vacancy exists in this position, the director shall appoint someone to act in this capacity until the Executive Committee makes its recommendations and the director appoints a replacement.