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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
fire incident management fund; appropriation
Purpose
Establishes the Fire Incident Management Fund (Fund) and requires monies in the Fund to be used to provide hardware and software that enables the statewide deployment of a secure incident management platform to fire and law enforcement agencies and that meets prescribed criteria. Appropriates $12,200,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) to the Fund for purposes as outlined.
Background
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) guides all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents. NIMS provides stakeholders with the shared vocabulary, systems and processes to successfully deliver the capabilities described in the National Preparedness System. NIMS defines operational systems, including the Incident Command System, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) structures and Multiagency Coordination Groups that guide how personnel work together during incidents. NIMS applies to all incidents, from traffic accidents to major disasters. The jurisdictions and organizations involved in managing incidents vary in their authorities, management structures, communication capabilities and protocols. NIMS provides a common framework to integrate these diverse capabilities and achieve common goals (FEMA).
The Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) Arizona Qualification System (AQS) establishes guidance and tools to assist State, Local and Tribal EOCs and Incident Command Organizations in developing qualified, certified and credentialed deployable emergency personnel. The AQS is a voluntary system that has been established to support efficient statewide deployment of personnel. The AQS establishes a process for an effective and consistent statewide system that aligns with national standards to ensure a readiness to respond with qualified personnel. The AQS encourages local agencies to perpetuate all-hazards training and build a foundation of credentialed all-hazards personnel. Additionally, the AQS affords local management access to the resources needed to manage and support EOCs and Incident Command Organizations effectively and safely within their own jurisdictional boundaries, as per NIMS standards. Utilizing the AQS to qualify, certify and credential personnel allows an Authority Having Jurisdiction to share a common framework of defined minimum capabilities with other entities. This common framework makes the sharing of emergency resources through the process of mutual aid both possible and practical (DEMA).
H.B. 2540 appropriates $12,200,000 from the state GF to the Fund in FY 2024
Provisions
1. Establishes the Fund and appropriates $12,200,000 from the state GF to the Fund in FY 2024.
2. Requires monies in the Fund to be used to provide hardware and software that:
a) enables the statewide deployment of a secure incident management platform to fire and law enforcement agencies;
b) provides a standardized incident command and management platform based on FEMA standards that enable diverse incident management and support entities to work together and ensure the following:
i. a clearly defined chain of command;
ii. the use of common terminology;
iii. the safety of first responders and others;
iv. the achievement of response objectives; and
v. the efficient use of resources; and
c) provides a collaboration and communications solution that meets the following requirements:
i. identifies the location, status and assignment of assigned resources;
ii. allows status updates, tracking and management of an incident;
iii. allows secure messaging and file sharing to all users involved in an incident;
iv. allows the sharing of collaborative maps, building floor plans and images between public safety agencies;
v. allows collaboration and information sharing between disparate agencies during a mass casualty incident;
vi. defines a FEMA or NIMS based organizational structure for the management of incidents;
vii. provides the ability to print standard integrated computer solutions forms for tracking and cost reimbursement;
viii. provides enhanced telemetry-based firefighter safety monitoring;
ix. works in areas without internet access in a disconnected mode;
x. provides a seamless and connected platform for notification, response and rostering;
xi. provides cross platform functionality; and
xii. provides a smartphone-based app for notification, accountability and situational awareness.
3. Requires the State Treasurer to administer the Fund.
4. Exempts the $12,200,000 appropriation from lapsing.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
MAPS 2/6/23 DPA 15-0-0-0
APPROP 2/15/23 DP 13-2-0-0
3rd Read 3/9/23 45-12-3-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2023
ZD/KS/sr