Manitowoc County’s executive has eliminated a workgroup to “increase efficiency and eliminate government red tape.”
Tyler Martell signed an executive order yesterday, eliminating the Radio System Advisory Workgroup, which, according to the county’s website, establishes policies, procedures, and capabilities related to public safety radio communications within the county.
Martell says the workgroup’s structure has created “unnecessary administrative barriers and delays in decisions relating to radio encryption and communications security.”
Any authority authorized by the Radio System Advisory Workgroup has now ended any access for encrypted radio channels. “shall come directly from the Manitowoc County Emergency Management Director upon the recommendation of the chief or appointed leader of a law enforcement department, emergency medical service, or firefighting agency.”
Former Manitowoc County Emergency Management Director Travis Waack, who now works for the state, commented on the post from Martell, saying the change puts the lives of people at risk because the workgroup was created to find a pathway for fire/EMS to communicate directly with law enforcement during traffic accidents and major events like school shootings.
He continued saying that without the group, law enforcement chiefs will continue to limit access by fire/EM to their encrypted channels despite the risk.
