SB120: Bill Text

The bill requires utilization of the ICS in managing emergencies and training of specified personnel in the use of the ICS.

Under current law:

1. Department of Commerce administrative rules governing fire department incident management require that every public sector fire department establish an ICS which has written guidelines applying to all fire fighters involved in emergency operations and which identifies fire fighter roles and responsibilities relating to the safety of operations. These rules define "incident command system" as an organized system of roles, responsibilities, and suggested operating guidelines used to manage and direct emergency operations. Under these rules, fire departments are required to train all fire fighters involved in emergency operations in the ICS and assign safety responsibilities to supervisory personnel at each level of operations. [ss. Comm. 30.14 (1) (a) to (c) and 30.01 (16), Wis. Adm. Code.] A footnote to the incident command rule provision indicates that suggested operating guidelines have been developed and published by the Wisconsin Technical Colleges System Board.

2. Department of Natural Resources administrative rules relating to hazardous substance discharge response provide that when deemed appropriate to effectively coordinate all actions at the scene of a hazardous substance discharge, an ICS shall be implemented. In these rules, "incident command system" is defined as an organized approach used to effectively control and manage operations at the scene of a hazardous substance discharge. [ss. NR 702.09 (2) and 702.03, Wis. Adm. Code].

3. The state Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) developed by the Division of Emergency Management (known as "Wisconsin Emergency Management" or "WEM") provides that an ICS "will be used in disaster response". However, the EOP does not indicate specifically what the ICS system entails or who must use it. The EOP further states that unified command is to be used in situations which affect multiple jurisdictions or multiple agencies within a jurisdiction or which require response by multiple levels of government. The EOP notes that these command and control systems require the participation of the chief elected officials. The EOP also provides that as the lead state agency for direction and control, WEM is to direct and coordinate emergency operations to support incident command at the local level.

At present, there are no statutory provisions pertaining to incident command.

This bill does the following:

1. Defines the term "incident command system", using language from the definition in s. Comm. 30.01 (16), Wis. Adm. Code, and from the State of Washington's incident command statutes.

2. Requires that an incident command system be used by all emergency response agencies, including local health departments, in responding to, managing, and coordinating multi-agency or multi-jurisdiction incidents, when a state or local emergency declaration has been made or in any other emergency situation.

3. Requires the Adjutant General, in developing statewide emergency training and exercise programs, to provide training to officers and employees of local health departments and to elected and appointed local government officials in use of the ICS in managing emergencies. The Adjutant General must consult with DHFS regarding the ICS training for local health department personnel. The bill requires the Adjutant General to utilize federal funding to provide this training, to the extent possible.

Exemption From Liability

Current law provides an exemption from liability for a person who provides equipment or services during a state of emergency declared by the governor for the death of or injury to any person or damage to any property caused by his or her actions. The immunity does not apply if the person acted intentionally or with gross negligence. Under current law, the exemption from liability applies if the person provides the equipment or services under the direction of the governor, the adjutant general, or the head of emergency management services in any county, town, or municipality.

The bill amends the law so that the exemption from liability also applies if the person provides the equipment or services under the direction of DHFS, if that department is designated by the governor as the lead state agency to address a public health emergency, or at the direction of a local health department that is acting as the agent of DHFS.

Chemical, Biological, or Radioactive Substance Threats

The bill prohibits a person from intentionally making a threat to release or disseminate a harmful substance, knowing that the threat is false, if the threat induces a reasonable expectation or fear that the person will release or disseminate a harmful substance. The term "harmful substance" is defined as radioactive material that is harmful to human life, a toxic chemical or its precursor, or a biological agent. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class I felony, which is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 3-1/2 years, or both.

The bill further requires that persons who violate this prohibition are to be assessed by the court for moneys expended by a state or local government agency for activities in connection with the threat, including: (1) the response to the threat by emergency medical personnel; (2) the analysis of any substance alleged to be a harmful substance; and (3) the treatment of persons who are alleged to have been exposed to an alleged harmful substance. The moneys assessed are to be reimbursed to the state or local agency that incurred the expense.

SB120, s. 1 Section 1. 15.197 (13) of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,4,8 15.197 (13) Public health council. There is created in the department of health and family services a public health council consisting of 17 members, nominated by the secretary of health and family services, and appointed for 3-year terms. The council shall include representatives of health care consumers, health care providers, health professions educators, local health departments and boards, public safety agencies, and, if created by the secretary of health and family services under s. 15.04 (1) (c), the public health advisory committee.

SB120, s. 2 Section 2. 20.435 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,5,2 20.435 (1) (c) Public health emergency quarantine costs. A sum sufficient to reimburse local health departments under s. 252.06 (10) (c) 1.

SB120, s. 3 Section 3. 20.465 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB120,5,8 20.465 (3) (e) Disaster recovery aid; public health emergency quarantine costs. A sum sufficient to pay the state share of grants to individuals and, to make payments to local governments as defined in 42 USC 5122 (6) under federal disaster recovery programs as authorized in s. 166.03 (2) (b) 8., and to reimburse local health departments under s. 252.06 (10) (c) 2.

SB120, s. 4 Section 4. 66.0314 of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,5,11 66.0314 Emergency management, emergency medical services, fire, and local health departments; mutual assistance. (1) In this section:

SB120,5,13 (a) "Emergency management program" means the emergency management program of a city, village, town, or county, under s. 166.03 (4) (a).

SB120,5,15 (b) "Emergency medical services program" means a program established under s. 146.55.

SB120,5,18 (c) "Fire department" means any public organization engaged in fire fighting or a private sector employer fire company or fire department organized as a nonstock, nonprofit corporation under ch. 181 or ch. 213 without the input of a municipality.

SB120,5,22 (d) "Incident command system" means a functional management system established to control, direct, and manage the roles, responsibilities, and operations of all of the agencies involved in a multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response.

SB120,5,23 (e) "Local health department" has the meaning given in s. 250.01 (4).

SB120,6,5 (2) Upon the request of a city, village, town, or county, or a person acting under an incident command system, the personnel of any emergency management program, emergency medical services program, fire department, or local health department may assist the requester within the requester's jurisdiction, notwithstanding any other jurisdictional provision. The program or department employing the personnel acting in response to a request for assistance shall be responsible for any personnel-related costs.

SB120, s. 5 Section 5. 166.02 (6m) and (6r) of the statutes are created to read:

SB120,6,10 166.02 (6m) "Incident command system" means a functional management system established to control, direct, and manage the roles, responsibilities, and operations of all of the agencies involved in a multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response.

SB120,6,11 (6r) "Local health department" has the meaning given in s. 250.01 (4).

SB120, s. 6 Section 6. 166.03 (2) (a) 1., 2. and 3. of the statutes are amended to read:

SB120,6,21 166.03 (2) (a) 1. Subject to approval by the governor, develop and promulgate a state plan of emergency management for the security of persons and property which shall be mandatory during a state of emergency. In developing the plan, the adjutant general shall seek the advice of the department of health and family services with respect to the emergency medical aspects of the plan. The plan shall require the use of the incident command system by all emergency response agencies, including local health departments, during a state of emergency declared under sub. (1) (b) 1. or s. 166.23 (1) or in any other multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response.

SB120,7,8 2. Prescribe and carry out statewide training programs and exercises to develop emergency management proficiency, disseminate information including warnings of enemy action, serve as the principal assistant to the governor in the direction of emergency management activities and coordinate emergency management programs between counties. The training programs shall include training in managing emergency operations utilizing the incident command system for local government officials, officers, and employees whose duties include responding to emergencies, including officers and employees of local health departments. The adjutant general shall consult with the department of health and family services regarding the provision of incident command system training to local health department personnel. To the extent possible, the adjutant general shall utilize federal funding to provide incident command system training.

SB120,7,15 3. Furnish guidance and develop and promulgate standards for emergency management programs for counties, towns and municipalities, and prescribe nomenclature for all levels of emergency management. The standards shall include a requirement that county, town, and municipal emergency management programs under sub. (4) (a) utilize the incident command system during a state of emergency declared under sub. (1) (b) 1. or s. 166.23 (1) or in any other multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response.

SB120, s. 7 Section 7. 166.03 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB120,8,2 166.03 (5) (a) The head of emergency management services in each county, town and municipality shall for his or her respective county, town or municipality, develop and promulgate emergency management plans consistent with state plans, direct the emergency management program and perform such other duties related to emergency management as are required by the governing body and the emergency management committee of the governing body when applicable. The emergency management plans shall require the use of the incident command system by all emergency response agencies, including local health departments, during a state of emergency declared under sub. (1) (b) 1. or s. 166.23 (1) or in any other multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency emergency response.

SB120, s. 8 Section 8. 166.03 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB120,8,15 166.03 (10) Exemption from liability. No person who provides equipment or services under the direction of the governor, the adjutant general or, the head of emergency management services in any county, town or municipality, the department of health and family services if that department is designated by the governor under s. 166.03 (1) (b) 1., or a local health department acting under s. 251.05 (3) (e) during a state of emergency declared by the governor is liable for the death of or injury to any person or damage to any property caused by his or her actions, except where the trier of fact finds that the person acted intentionally or with gross negligence. This subsection does not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he or she would otherwise be entitled under the worker's compensation law or under any pension law, nor does it affect entitlement to any other benefits or compensation authorized by state or federal law.

SB120, s. 9 Section 9. 250.042 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB120,8,25 250.042 (1) If the governor declares a state of emergency related to public health under s. 166.03 (1) (b) 1. and designates the department as the lead state agency to respond to that emergency, the department shall act as the public health authority during the period of the state of emergency. The department shall ensure that the emergency operations during the state of emergency are conducted using the incident command system required under s. 166.03 (2) (a) 1. During the period of the state of emergency, the secretary may designate a local health department as an agent of the department and confer upon the local health department, acting under that agency, the powers and duties of the public health authority.

SB120, s. 10 Section 10. 250.07 of the statutes is renumbered 250.07 (1).

SB120, s. 11 Section 11. 250.07 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,9,7 250.07 (1m) The public health council shall monitor implementation of any document developed by the department under sub. (1) (a) and shall advise the governor, the legislature, the department, and the public on progress in implementing the document and coordination of responses to public health emergencies.

SB120, s. 12 Section 12. 252.06 (10) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,9,12 252.06 (10) (c) All expenses incurred by a local health department in quarantining a person outside his or her home during a state of emergency related to public health declared by the governor under s. 166.03 (1) (b) 1. and not reimbursed from federal funds shall be paid for under either of the following, as appropriate:

SB120,9,14 1. If the governor designates the department as the lead state agency under s. 166.03 (1) (b) 1., from the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (c).

SB120,9,16 2. If the governor does not designate the department as the lead state agency under s. 166.03 (1) (b) 1., from the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (e).

SB120, s. 13 Section 13. 947.017 of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,9,19 947.017 Threats to release chemical, biological, or radioactive substances. (1) In this section:

SB120,9,23 (a) "Biological agent" means a microorganism or an infectious substance, or any naturally occurring, bioengineered, or synthesized toxin or component of a microorganism or an infectious substance that is capable of causing death, disease, or other biological malfunction in humans.

SB120,9,25 (b) "Harmful substance" means radioactive material that is harmful to human life, a toxic chemical or its precursor, or a biological agent.

SB120,10,2 (c) "Microorganism" includes a bacterium, virus, fungus, rickettsia, or protozoan.

SB120,10,4 (d) "Precursor" means any chemical reactant that takes part at any stage in the production by whatever method of a toxic chemical.

SB120,10,7 (e) "Toxic chemical" means any chemical that through its chemical action on life processes can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans.

SB120,10,11 (2) Whoever, knowing the threat to be false, intentionally threatens to release or disseminate a harmful substance, if the threat induces a reasonable expectation or fear that the person will release or disseminate a harmful substance, is guilty of a Class I felony.

SB120, s. 14 Section 14. 973.06 (1) (ar) of the statutes is created to read:

SB120,10,15 973.06 (1) (ar) If the defendant violated s. 947.017, moneys expended by a state or local government agency in connection with the threat under s. 947.017 (2), to be reimbursed to that agency, including moneys expended for the following activities:

SB120,10,17 1. The response to the threat by emergency medical personnel, as defined in s. 941.37 (1) (c).

SB120,10,19 2. The analysis of any substance alleged to be a harmful substance, as defined in s. 947.017 (1).

SB120,10,21 3. The medical treatment of persons who are alleged to have been exposed to an alleged harmful substance, as defined under s. 947.017 (1).

SB120, s. 15 Section 15. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB120,11,2 (1) Public health council. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the members of the public health council under section 15.197 (13) of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial members of the public health council shall be appointed by the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection for the following terms:

SB120,11,3 (a) Six members for terms expiring on July 1, 2005.

SB120,11,4 (b) Six members for terms expiring on July 1, 2006.

SB120,11,5 (c) Five members for terms expiring on July 1, 2007.

SB120,11,6 (End)