§ 12-78-102 - Policy and purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

12-78-102. Policy and purpose.

Because of the potential for a natural, technological, or national emergency-related disaster of catastrophic size and devastating impact requiring rapid and effective communications and warning to coordinate city, county, state, federal, and private sector emergency response personnel, equipment, and resources for the protection of lives, property, and institutions of the people of the state, and because technologically advanced state-of-the-art communications and data exchange equipment must be systematically procured, installed, and operated to ensure compatibility and effective use, it is found and declared to be necessary to provide:

(1) For the periodic review of the statewide emergency communications system to ensure maximum operational effectiveness and recommend such improvements as may be required to keep pace with increasing emergency needs and advancing technology;

(2) A system to review and recommend the procurement of equipment and systems to local offices of emergency services and to state, federal, and private sector emergency communications operators to ensure compatibility of equipment; and

(3) A source of funding and administer funding made available from federal, state, and private sources to ensure prioritized, equitable, economical, and fair distribution of funding and to ensure all required fiscal controls and reviews are in compliance with appropriate state and federal guidelines.