Statewide interoperable communications coordinator

(a) There is established within the office of homeland security the position of the statewide interoperable communications coordinator, which shall be a full-time equivalent position exempt from chapter 76. (b) The statewide interoperable communications coordinator shall: (1) Collaborate with state, county, and federal governments and emergency response groups in long-term strategic planning; (2) Aid stakeholders in the development of projects, plans, policies, standards, priorities, and guidelines for interoperable communications; (3) Meet regularly with all interoperability stakeholders and partners to ensure transparency and information sharing; (4) Coordinate governing body activities to maximize integration and collaboration across the emergency communications landscape; (5) Coordinate ongoing assessment of the applicability of new technical developments in communications technologies for state and county public safety radio communication systems and networks; (6) Serve as a liaison between the statewide interoperable communications executive committee or statewide interoperable communications technical subcommittee, or both, and the federal government and private communications industry on issues concerning statewide interoperable communications; (7) Coordinate guidance, input, and recommendations from state, county, and federal agencies on the statewide communications interoperability plan and lead the development, implementation, and regular updating of the statewide communications interoperability plan; (8) Assist, as necessary or requested, with communications among responders during emergencies who are responding to planned and unplanned events; (9) Coordinate closely with the state single point of contact on issues related to the implementation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network in the State; (10) Coordinate interoperability activities with public safety answering points; operators of state, county and federal communications systems; and emergency management coordinators; (11) Manage communications unit program training and exercises provided by federal and state agencies, and work with public safety agencies to assist with any credentialing or recognition of the agencies' communications personnel; and (12) Serve as the state representative to the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators.