Chairwoman: Katie Savage
Director: Norman J. Farley
In June 2014, the Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board was established in the Department of Information Technology by the Annotated Code of Maryland, Public Safety Article, § 1-501-1-503. The Board is the governance body that coordinates the operation and maintenance of the Statewide Public Safety Interoperability Radio System, also known as Maryland FIRST. The System is a P25 Phase II 700 MHz land mobile radio system that connects Maryland's first responders on one secure radio system. Under the law, the Board’s responsibilities include:
- Establish SOPs, Quality of Service Standards, and maintenance guidelines for the System.
- Establish Working Groups of the System’s users,
- Approve the addition of new system users and the removal of existing users.
- Coordinate participatory, collaborative or reciprocal relationships with local governments, including establishing procedures for:
- Requests to become part of the System by local governmental entities;
- Collaborate or sharing in the purchase, operation, or use of equipment or the system infrastructure currently used by local governments entities; and
- Review and approval of any request or arrangements sought under this item.
- Resolve any conflicts among system users relating to the operations, maintenance, or improvement of the System that cannot be resolved under the SOPs.
- Review the annual cost estimation provided by the Director of the Board.
- Recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly funding and resource levels for the System O & M.
- Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on resources needed for the appropriate operation and expansion to meet service needs for public safety communications statewide.
- Negotiate agreements with Federal agencies, surrounding states, or DC for the use of the System.
The Board conducts open meetings quarterly. The daily operation of the Board and its responsibilities is conducted by the Director of the Board.
The Board consists of 11 members. Five members, who represent local government entities that are either users of or contributors to the System, are appointed by the Governor. The remaining 6 members are the Secretaries of Information Technology, State Police and Transportation (or their designee), the Directors of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (or their designee), and the State Interoperability Director.
The current appointed members are: Craig A. Moe; Clay B. Stamp; Tony W.
Rose; Charles R. Summers and Scot Haas.
