First-Responder Mapping System Nixed by Pataki

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

Governor Pataki has vetoed legislation that would have created a task force to oversee city and state efforts to create a first-responder mapping system, contending it was duplicative.

The bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by the State Legislature, would have authorized the task force to monitor data collection, database maintenance and data exchanges between municipalities.

Role Envisioned

The Statewide First Responder Mapping Systems Task Force would have been established within the Office of Homeland Security to review statewide and local mapping systems and make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.

It would have been responsible for identifying the types of information to be included in a statewide first-responder mapping system; the order in which critical infrastructure and mapping data would be collected and maintained; funding streams to support mapping systems; procedures on how such information shall be made available; and training programs to be used by the state and municipalities. The Task Force would have been required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature by Sept. 1, 2008. In his veto message, the Governor noted that he disapproved similar legislation last year on the grounds it would duplicate and potentially interfere with ongoing state and local initiatives to create mapping systems.

According to the OHS, Mr. Pataki wrote, the bill would be duplicative of current state efforts to implement the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), including the process of addressing NIPP requirements for the development and maintenance of a geographic information system (GIS) to provide detailed computer-mapping information about New York.

"I am advised that there are currently 25 agencies engaged in GIS work, with nearly a dozen agencies actively pursuing mapping systems for use in emergency response," Mr. Pataki said.

He added that "OHS further notes that the bill could interfere with ongoing efforts to comply with the Federally-mandated development and administration of [a Federal plan that] establishes a uniform set of processes, protocols, and procedures [for] emergency responders."

The legislation was vetoed Sept. 13.