Utah State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC)
Report on Committee Action

Attendees: Mike Kuehn, Randy Fisher for Dr. Richard Melton, Scott Duncan, Ken Petersen, Jake Hunt for Steve Proctor, Steve Fletcher, Mike Haddon, Ally Isom, Forrest Cuch, Cl Greggory Cluff, Steve Foote, Jennifer Hemenway for Bob Yeates, Chris Slavrakas for John Njord

Steve Fletcher welcomed the group and asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Ken Petersen motioned to approve the minutes, Mike Haddon seconded the motion and the group approved the minutes from the June 21, 2007 meeting.

Steve also discussed the PSIC Funding allocation mentioning a handout given to the group that provides information regarding funding for each state, area and territory. It also includes frequently asked questions regarding the grant program.

State SCIP Plan Update Boyd Webb briefed the group on the progress with the SCIP plan, including explaining what CASM is and how it fits with the plan. He also provided a demonstration of the CASM software. State and local entities will need to enter their resource information, which is then used for interoperability in the event of an emergency. Boyd also provided an update on the plan; it is currently about 60% complete. The CASM database is not real time, but can be updated quickly if there is an incident. Mike Kuehn asked if this interfaces with WEOC, which is also web based. Boyd said that the dispatch centers use this every day and would be charged with updating the information.

Steve Fletcher mentioned that everyone is very interested in the distribution of the funding. The Utah Department of Homeland Security has been designated as the SAA for Utah. Mike Kuehn said that the distribution process will be very similar to the way that Homeland Security funding has been distributed in the past. He also said that they will rely on the SIEC for help with this. This grant funding is for interoperability. Steve Fletcher also asked if we could receive more funding, if the amount announced is preliminary. Boyd Webb said that it is possible but it isn’t always known.

ACTION: The group will discuss the comments and additions to the plan at the next meeting prior to approval.

SIEC Long Term Planning Interoperability Continuum Training Steve Fletcher mentioned that as we discuss long term planning for the SIEC, we will follow the (handout from prior meeting). One of these items is training. Steve then turned the time over to Jake Hunt, UCAN, who briefed the group on potential training and why it’s important. Steve Fletcher said that as we move forward we will want to look at the level of training that is needed.

Discussion Items Steve Fletcher said that it’s important for everyone to know what is going on around the State. He explained that we would like to highlight areas and next month we’ve asked St. George to give a presentation on what they are currently doing.

Steve also mentioned that as we have been gathering comments for the SCIP plan, there have been questions regarding representation. He asked if we should add two more “at large” seats to the committee that would represent some of the other entities that are not currently as well represented. Sheriff Kevin Holman suggested looking at this from a geographic stand point, so that we don’t have overlap from other represented entities. Steve said that we would entertain suggestions for nominations, and if these are “at large” seats we would not have to specify areas of representation. Jake Hunt said that there isn’t representation from the Uintah basin, South East and West Utah. Logan 911 said that they would like to participate and this is a positive suggestion. Steve Fletcher asked the group if there should be two more seats and potential nominations. He named the specific entities that are required through the Governor’s Executive Order. Steve Foote from the Fire Chief’s Association suggested areas of growth throughout the state, i.e. Summit, Washington counties. He said then we are helping them with their processes and potential large purchases. Commissioner Scott Duncan recommended that each association (Fire, Police and Sheriff’s Associations) each determine a representative adding three seats. Tim Slocum, Utah Department of Corrections, said that if you already have non-participation, then instead of increasing the membership, change it to people that would like to participate. Mike Haddon suggested that the associations (Fire, Police and Sheriff’s) provide an urban and rural representative. Jake Hunt also mentioned that if a representative can’t be here then they need to have a representative participate for them. He also said that we need to stress that this is an open meeting and they need to participate if only for themselves. Steve Fletcher also explained that the participants need to be able to make decisions for the business. The group continued to discuss participation of the currently named entities and suggestions for the proposed seats. It was also suggested that the League of Cities & Towns and the Association of Counties may not be the exact mix needed for the Committee. Steve Foote said that it’s difficult to have the business people involved; he suggested that you really need operational and technical involvement. Sheriff Kevin Holman suggested that we possibly look at the Homeland Security regions. Doug Chandler said that many of the same people attend these meetings, and he suggested that we leave the seats ad hoc and the people that want to participate will be there. Mike Kuehn said that we probably won’t have representation from everyone and CASM can help with where the gaps are, targeting areas of need and possibly representation.

Mike Haddon motioned that rural/urban representation is solicited from each of the designated associations (fire, police & sheriff); Jake Hunt seconded the motion. The group motioned to approve the representation motion.

The meeting was then adjourned.