File No. 34

Senate, March 19, 2012

The Committee on Public Safety and Security reported through SEN. HARTLEY of the 15th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COORDINATING ADVISORY BOARD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 29-1t of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

(a) There is established a Coordinating Advisory Board to advise the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with respect to: (1) Strategies to improve internal and external communication and cooperation in the provision of emergency response services on the state and local level; (2) strategies to improve emergency response and incident management in areas including, but not limited to, communications and use of technology and the coordination and implementation of state and federally required emergency response plans; (3) improvements in the state's use of regional management structures; and (4) strengthening cooperation and communication among federal, state and local governments, the Connecticut National Guard, police, fire, emergency medical and other first responders, emergency managers and public health officials.

(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or said commissioner's designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the Coordinating Advisory Board. The board shall consist of: (1) The president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association or a designee, representing volunteer firefighters; (2) the president of the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association or a designee, representing professional firefighters; (3) the president of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Council 15, or a designee, representing municipal police officers; (4) the executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities or a designee; (5) the executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns or a designee; (6) a member of the Police Officer Standards Training Council, designated by the chairperson of said council; [(6)] (7) a member of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, designated by the chairperson of said commission; [(7)] (8) the president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association or a designee; [(8)] (9) the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association or a designee; [(9)] (10) the president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association or a designee; [(10)] (11) the president of the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association or a designee; [(11)] (12) the Commissioner of Public Health; and [(12)] (13) one representative, designated by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, from the Office of State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications and from each of the divisions of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, State Police and Scientific Services within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Said board shall convene quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

(c) Not later than January 2, 2012, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety concerning its findings and recommendations with respect to any communication and cooperation necessary to enhance state and local government emergency response and the protection of the citizens of the state.

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst's professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact: None

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

There is no state or municipal fiscal impact associated with adding a member to the Advisory Board to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

The Out Years

State Impact: None

Municipal Impact: None

OLR Bill Analysis

SB 200

AN ACT CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COORDINATING ADVISORY BOARD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION.

SUMMARY:

This bill expands, from 15 to 16, the membership of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Coordinating Advisory Board by adding the executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns or a designee. This board, established in 2011, advises DESPP on emergency response and related issues. Its current membership includes representatives from fire, police, health, emergency services, and municipal bodies.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Safety and Security Committee

Joint Favorable