323.29 Statewide public safety interoperable communication system.

(1) Definitions.

(a) “Council" means the interoperability council created under s. 15.315 (1) (a).

(am) “Department” means the department of military affairs.

(b) “Dispatch center" has the meaning given for “public safety answering point" in s. 256.35 (1) (gm).

(c) “Interoperability" means the ability of public safety agencies to communicate with each other and with agencies and entities identified under sub. (2) (a) by means of radio or associated communications systems, including the exchange of voice, data, or video communications on demand and in real time, as needed and authorized.

(d) “Public safety agency" has the meaning given in s. 256.35 (1) (g).

(2) Interoperability council. The council shall do all of the following:

(a) Identify types of agencies and entities, including public works and transportation agencies, hospitals, and volunteer emergency services agencies to be included, in addition to public safety agencies, in a statewide public safety interoperable communication system.

(b) Recommend short-term and long-term goals to achieve a statewide public safety interoperable communication system.

(c) Recommend and periodically review a strategy and timeline for achieving the goals under par. (b), including objectives for local units of government.

(d) Assist the department in identifying and obtaining funding to implement a statewide public safety interoperable communication system.

(e) Advise the department on allocating funds, including those available for homeland security, for the purpose of achieving the goals under par. (b).

(f) Make recommendations to the department on all of the following:

1. Technical and operational standards for public safety interoperable communication systems.

2. Guidelines and procedures for using public safety interoperable communication systems.

3. Minimum standards for public safety interoperable communication systems, facilities, and equipment used by dispatch centers.

4. Certification criteria for persons who operate public safety interoperable communication systems for dispatch centers.

(3) Department duties and powers.

(a) The department shall provide staff support for the council and oversight of the development and operation of a statewide public safety interoperable communication system.

(b) The department may do any of the following:

1. Charge a public safety agency that is a state agency a fee for use of the statewide public safety interoperable communication system under this section.

2. Charge a person that is not a state agency a fee for use of the statewide public safety interoperable communication system under this section.

(4) Director of emergency communications. The adjutant general shall appoint a director of emergency communications within the division to serve at the pleasure of the adjutant general outside the classified service. The position shall be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (q).

History: 2007 a. 79; 2009 a. 180; 2013 a. 20; 2017 a. 59 ss. 169e to 169s, 1673h to 1673t, 1892c to 1892x; 2019 a. 9.