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Committee reviews plan to create Department of Public Safety Communications
Summary
Ordinance 2026-012 would create a Department of Public Safety Communications in the borough executive branch and sunset a long-dormant advisory board; staff described existing radio systems, coordination with IT, and coverage gaps along the Seward Highway.
The Policies & Procedures Committee heard an introduction to ordinance 2026-012 to formally create a Department of Public Safety Communications and to sunset an advisory board that has been dormant for long periods.
Tammy, who presented the ordinance, told the committee the measure "will amend KPB code to formally recognize public safety communications as a department within the executive branch and set forth the powers and duties of the department." She said the advisory board, established decades ago, had gone dormant multiple times during her 33-year tenure and that the ordinance aims to codify organizational responsibilities.
Assembly member Eklund asked about persistent communications gaps along the Seward Highway and in the Hope area. Tammy said she has discussed wireless and radio connectivity issues with IT Director Ben Hanson and described the borough's use of the Alaska Land Mobile Radio system. "We do have radio communications for the Alaska Land Mobile radio system that we use throughout the borough across the state," she said, and added the borough coordinates with the Alaska Land Mobile help desk and other vendors to address problems as they arise. Cooper observed the work of dispatchers and emergency communications staff and told them, "I don't know how we do it without you."
The committee took questions but recorded no committee vote on the ordinance during the meeting; the item was introduced for future public hearings and additional public input.
