(1) The purpose of this rule chapter is to establish procedures to allow public safety entities, as defined herein, to use the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS). Such use benefits State Law Enforcement and SLERS Partners and facilitates the efficient use of radio spectrum.
    (2) The following terms are defined:
    (a) Contractor – Entity under contract with the Department of Management Services (the Department) to provide the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System.
    (b) Encryption – Cryptographic transformation of data (“”plaintext””) into a form (“”cipher-text””) that conceals the data’s original meaning to prevent it from being known or used by unauthorized persons.
    (c) First Responder – State, local and federal law enforcement, fire service and emergency medical agencies.
    (d) Interoperability – A communication link within public safety and public service wireless communications systems which permits users from different entities to interact with one another and to exchange information in order to more effectively carry out their assigned missions.
    (e) Interoperability Talk Groups – Talk groups established in the radio system for interagency communications within the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System.
    (f) Joint Task Force on State Agency Law Enforcement Communications – The board established in Florida Statutes § 282.1095, to advise the Department on the planning, designing, and establishment of SLERS.
    (g) Joint Task Force (JTF) Agency – State law enforcement entities which are members of the Joint Task Force pursuant to Joint Task Force Board approval of applicants’ implementation plans and applicants’ acceptance of Board policies and standard operating procedures.
    (h) MHz – Megahertz, or millions of cycles per second (a measure of radio frequency or channel).
    (i) Security Manager – The individual appointed by the Joint Task Force on State Agency Law Enforcement Communications to be responsible for the security of the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System, as well as any Alternate Security Manager or Deputy Security Manager appointed by the Joint Task Force on State Agency Law Enforcement Communications.
    (j) Special Conditions – Any terms and conditions in the SLERS Partner Application and Agreement (Form No.DMS-SLERS-1, incorporated by reference in subsection 60FF-4.003(1), F.A.C.) for access to the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System or written approval of application included to mitigate the impact of the SLERS Partner’s usage on other SLERS users.
    (k) State Law Enforcement – Law enforcement agencies of state agencies and state universities.
    (l) System Key – An electronic code applied to every radio in the radio system which prevents unauthorized radios from accessing the system.
    (m) System Manager – The individual charged by the Department of Management Services with responsibility to manage the contract for the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System and services.
    (n) Talk Group – A logical grouping of radio users as defined in the radio system programming that can communicate together; a radio net.
    (3) Other terms shall have their commonly understood meaning.
Rulemaking Authority Florida Statutes § 282.702(9). Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 282.709. History-New 5-11-08.