I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III, Sections 1 and 24 of the Alaska Constitution, and in accordance with AS 44.19.145(c), issue Administrative Order 333 to establish the Alaska 9-1-1 Advisory Board.
BACKGROUND
In an emergency, whether a large scale natural disaster, or an individual life-threatening event, state public safety agencies must be able to communicate immediately, efficiently, and reliably with both persons impacted by the emergency and with first responders. That communication must extend to all parts of the State. A coordinated and comprehensive approach that leverages resources and expertise found within government bodies and the first responder community is integral to these efforts. Establishing a framework for enhanced coordination with national initiatives and to better position the State for federal funding opportunities has great potential to improve public safety for Alaskans.
PURPOSE
The Alaska 9-1-1 Advisory Board will serve as a coordinating body to review and provide the Governor with recommendations on statewide and regional emergency communications efforts. The 9-1-1 Advisory Board will also develop recommendations to improve public safety communications regarding 9-1-1 systems, including but not limited to, technical and staffing operations, credentialing, use of state funds related to 9-1-1, and 9-1-1 system coordination.
MEMBERSHIP
All voting members are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Alaska 9-1-1 Advisory Board consists of 13 voting members, one nonvoting member, and two ex-officio members as detailed below:
- The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety or the Commissioner’s designee.
- One member of the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association.
- One member of the Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police.
- One member from a Regional EMS Council.
- One member who represents the Alaska Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, the National Emergency Number Association, or a similar organization of public safety communications professionals.
- Two members who are Communication Center Managers from both rural and urban Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).
- Two members who are veteran call takers/dispatchers from both rural and urban PSAPs.
- One member who is a representative of an Alaska Native Tribal/rural entity.
- One member who is the Executive Director of the Alaska Telecom Association, or designee.
- One member who is the State Geospatial Information Officer, or designee.
- One member of the General Public.
- One nonvoting member, serving ex-officio, who is a member of the Alaska Senate, appointed by the Senate President.
- One nonvoting member, serving ex-officio, who is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
- One nonvoting member from the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor of Alaska.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Alaska 9-1-1 Advisory Board shall review available non-confidential information, including the reports/recommendations submitted by the 9-1-1 and Dispatch Consolidation Working Group via Administrative Order 320, hold public meetings, and provide periodic reports to the Governor. The Advisory Board shall accomplish the following tasks within the first 12 months of this order:
- Produce recommended revisions to state statutes to define a PSAP and a PSAP Boundary.
- Provide recommendations to classify PSAP types in order to identify which PSAPs might be at higher risk for providing lower levels of service to citizens and identify grant opportunities for training.
In addition, the Advisory Board will provided recommendations for: updating legislative language requiring certification and minimal training standards for dispatchers regardless of PSAP type; creating, revising or amending certification processes, training, and minimum standards; reclassifying dispatchers as first responders, establishing State standards for 9-1-1 call processing to ensure all 9-1-1 calls are delivered to PSAPs which are staffed 24/7 by dispatchers trained to established minimum standards; identifying opportunities for improved services in underserved communities; expending state or federal funds related to training programs, scholarships, or grants related to improving 9-1-1 service through training 9-1-1 telecommunicators; and 9-1-1 call routing and proposed changes to the State’s 9-1-1 landscape. The Advisory Board shall provide an annual report to the Governor that identifies and discusses the above recommendations.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
The Alaska 9-1-1 Advisory Board is assigned to the Department of Administration (DOA) for administrative support. The Commissioner of Administration shall appoint an Executive Officer to represent the DOA for the purposes of providing administrative support to the Advisory Board. The Executive Officer shall facilitate the meetings of the Advisory Board, provide administrative, policy, and technical support to the Advisory Board, and shall be responsible to deliver the final report and recommendations to the Governor on behalf of the Advisory Board.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Advisory Board members receive no compensation or other remuneration from the State as members of the Advisory Board. Members of the Advisory Board who are not state or federal employees are entitled to per diem and travel expenses in the same manner permitted for members of state boards and commissions. Per diem and travel expenses for members of the Advisory Board who are a representative of a state or federal agency are the responsibility of that agency.
The Advisory Board, from among its membership, shall select a Chair and Vice Chair and establish by-laws necessary for the organization and operation of the Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board may create advisory-only subcommittees.
The Advisory Board will meet monthly, at a minimum. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair or a majority of the voting members. The Advisory Board and its subcommittees will use teleconferencing and other electronic means, to the extent practicable, in order to gain maximum public participation at minimum cost.
At times and locations to be determined by the Chair, the Advisory Board may convene public meetings to present information and receive comments.
A majority of the members of the Advisory Board constitutes a quorum for conducting business. Proxy voting is not permitted.
Meetings of the Advisory Board, or any subcommittees thereof, shall be conducted, and notice of meetings provided, in accordance with AS 44.62.310 and 44.62.319 (Open Meetings Act).
Records of the Advisory Board, and all subcommittees, are subject to inspection, copying, and distribution as public records under AS 40.25.110 – 40.25.220.
This order does not affect the work of the Alaska State Emergency Response Commission (AS 26.23.071).
DURATION
This Order takes effect immediately. This Advisory Board will sunset on December 1, 2023.
Dated this 22nd day of March, 2022.
