(a) There is established a Coordinating Advisory Board to advise the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection with respect to: (1) Strategies to improve internal and external communication and cooperation in the provision of emergency response services on the state and local level; (2) strategies to improve emergency response and incident management in areas including, but not limited to, communications and use of technology and the coordination and implementation of state and federally required emergency response plans; (3) improvements in the state’s use of regional management structures; and (4) strengthening cooperation and communication among federal, state and local governments, the Connecticut National Guard, police, fire, emergency medical and other first responders, emergency managers and public health officials.

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(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or said commissioner’s designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the Coordinating Advisory Board. The board shall consist of: (1) The president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association or a designee, representing volunteer firefighters; (2) the president of the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association or a designee, representing professional firefighters; (3) the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or a designee, representing municipal police officers; (4) the executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities or a designee; (5) the executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns or a designee; (6) a member of the Police Officer Standards Training Council, designated by the chairperson of said council; (7) a member of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, designated by the chairperson of said commission; (8) the president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association or a designee; (9) the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association or a designee; (10) the president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association or a designee; (11) the president of the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association or a designee; (12) the Commissioner of Public Health; (13) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services; (14) the Commissioner of Children and Families; and (15) one representative, designated by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, from each of the divisions of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, State Police, Scientific Services and State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Said board shall convene quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

(c) Not later than January 2, 2012, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety concerning its findings and recommendations with respect to any communication and cooperation necessary to enhance state and local government emergency response and the protection of the citizens of the state.