Executive Order
03-20

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri recognizes the importance of public safety radio communications and the critical role it plays in homeland security and emergency response; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri understands the need for improving the ability of all emergency responders to communicate with one another across technological and operational barriers; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri has taken a proactive leadership role in addressing homeland security concerns; and

WHEREAS, the majority of all public safety agencies in the State of Missouri operate in the same public safety frequency band; and

WHEREAS, the majority of state agency radio users operate in that same public safety frequency band; and

WHEREAS, the State Interoperability Executive Committee, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Department of Public Safety, and the Office of Homeland Security have established in that same band the Missouri Tactical (MTAC) Statewide Interoperability Channel; and

WHEREAS, the State Interoperability Executive Committee has made "MTAC" available to all users in that band to establish a basic level of interoperability; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission has established nondiscipline-specific interoperability channels in several frequency bands to serve all emergency responders.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BOB HOLDEN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the constitution and the laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby order that all two-way radios used by agencies of the State of Missouri shall be configured, to whatever extent is technically practical, to include established interoperability channels as specified by the State Interoperability Executive Committee.

These communications channels shall be used in accordance with the operational parameters set forth in the requisite Memorandum of Understanding to the mutual aid and benefit of all users.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson on this 10th day of December, 2003.

[Bob Holden's signature]
Bob Holden
Governor

ATTEST:

[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
Secretary of State

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