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.169683.1

HOUSE MEMORIAL 107

48

TH

LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Janice E. Arnold-Jones

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISOR TO

SPEARHEAD A COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS

REGARDING THE INTEROPERABILITY OF COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS IN NEW

MEXICO.

WHEREAS, emergencies, including the September 11 terrorist

attacks, Hurricane Katrina, wildfires in New Mexico and other

disasters, require coherent and effective communication among

various local, tribal, state and federal emergency response

agencies; and

WHEREAS, dependable and interoperable public safety

communications infrastructure is critical to New Mexico's

response to emergencies in order to ensure the safety of

emergency response personnel and the safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary for public safety personnel from

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different agencies, disciplines and levels of government to

communicate with each other effectively and efficiently so that

they can coordinate their response to emergencies, minimize

response time and maximize resources; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordinated statewide

approach to the establishment of an interoperable public safety

and critical communications infrastructure network for the

benefit of the public and local, tribal, state and federal

emergency responders; and

WHEREAS, local, tribal, state and national leaders have

consistently resolved to provide effective emergency response

to all emergencies and disasters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor's

homeland security advisor be requested to spearhead and form a

committee, including representatives from the first responder

community, the chief information officer, the secretary of

public safety, the secretary of general services and additional

representatives from other sectors of local, tribal, state and

federal stakeholders as identified by the homeland security

advisor, to study the interoperability of local, tribal and

state emergency communications systems in New Mexico and their

interface with federal systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the homeland security

advisor's interoperable communications study committee make

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recommendations to the governor and the legislature regarding

resolution of the interoperability issues identified by the

committee by October 1, 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the governor, all executive branch agencies, the

New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of

counties and the New Mexico federal executive board.

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