Chapter 323

323.63(7)(c) (c) The division may consult with other state agencies on the administration of the program or the review of grant applications.

323.63(7)(d) (d) The division shall make publicly available on the division’s website each report received under sub. (6) (b).

323.63(7)(e) (e)

323.63(7)(e)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., no later than July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the division shall submit a report to the governor and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3). The report shall describe program activities and accomplishments of the preceding fiscal year, list the grant recipients and grants awarded, and make a recommendation on program continuation and funding levels.

323.63(7)(e)2. 2. A report under subd. 1. is not required in any year in which there are no moneys appropriated to the department for the grant programs under this section for the preceding fiscal year and all moneys that have been appropriated to the department for the grant programs under this section in any previous fiscal year have been expended and have previously been the subject of a report under subd. 1.

323.63 History History: 2023 a. 265.

subch. VII of ch. 323 SUBCHAPTER VII

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS

323.70 323.70 Hazardous substance emergency response.

323.70(1) (1) In this subchapter:

323.70(1)(a) (a) “Hazardous substance” has the meaning given in s. 299.01 (6).

323.70(1)(b) (b) “Local agency” means an agency of a county, city, village, or town, including a municipal police or fire department, a municipal health organization, a county office of emergency management, a county sheriff, an emergency medical service, a local emergency response team, or a public works department.

323.70(1)(c) (c) “Local emergency response team” means a team that the committee identifies under s. 323.61 (2m) (e).

323.70(2) (2) The division shall contract with no more than 9 regional emergency response teams, one of which shall be located in La Crosse County. Each regional emergency response team shall assist in the emergency response to level A releases in a region of this state designated by the division. The division shall contract with at least one regional emergency response team in each area designated under s. 323.13 (2) (a). The division may only contract with a local agency under this subsection. A member of a regional emergency response team shall meet the highest standards for a hazardous materials responder in 29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (6) (iv) and National Fire Protection Association standards NFPA 471 and 472. Regional emergency response teams shall have at least one member that is trained in each of the appropriate specialty areas under National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 472. Payments to regional emergency response teams under this subsection shall be made from the appropriation account under s. 20.465 (3) (dd).

323.70(3) (3) From the appropriations under s. 20.465 (3) (dr) and (jt), the division shall reimburse a local agency contracted under sub. (2) for costs incurred by the team in responding to an emergency involving a level A release, or a potential level A release, if the division determines that an emergency requiring the response existed. Reimbursement under this subsection shall be issued to the local agency within 60 days after receiving a complete application for reimbursement on a form prescribed by the division if the agency applies for reimbursement within 45 days after the conclusion of the deployment of the regional emergency response team.

323.70(3m) (3m) From the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (jt), the division shall reimburse a local agency under sub. (1) for costs incurred by the local agency for any increase in contributions for duty disability premiums under s. 40.05 (2) (ax) for employees who receive duty disability benefits under s. 40.65 because of an injury incurred while performing duties as a member of a regional emergency response team under sub. (2).

323.70(4) (4) A person shall reimburse the division for costs incurred by a regional emergency response team in responding to an emergency involving a level A release or a potential level A release if an emergency requiring the team’s response existed and if any of the following conditions applies:

323.70(4)(a) (a) The person possessed or controlled a hazardous substance that was involved in the emergency.

323.70(4)(b) (b) The person caused the emergency.

323.70(5) (5) A member of a regional emergency response team who is acting under a contract under sub. (2) is considered an employee of the state for purposes of worker’s compensation benefits.

323.70(6) (6) The division shall notify the joint committee on finance in writing, before entering into a new contractual agreement under sub. (2) or renewing or extending a contractual agreement under sub. (2), of the specific funding commitment involved in that proposed new, renewed or extended contract. The division shall include in that notification information regarding any anticipated contractual provisions that involve state fiscal commitments for each fiscal year in the proposed new, renewed or extended contract. The division may enter into a new contractual agreement or renew or extend a contractual agreement, as proposed in the notification to the joint committee on finance, if within 14 working days after notification the committee does not schedule a meeting to review the division’s proposed action. If, within 14 working days after notification to the joint committee on finance, the committee notifies the division that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the division’s proposed action, the division may enter into the proposed new contact or renew or extend the contract as proposed only if the committee approves that action.

323.70(6m) (6m) From the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (df), the division may award grants to local agencies with which the division contracts under sub. (2). A grant awarded under this subsection shall be used to fund the replacement of equipment used in emergency responses to releases of hazardous substances under this section.

323.70 History History: 1991 a. 104; 1993 a. 253; 1995 a. 13; 1997 a. 27, 41; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 33; 2009 a. 42 ss. 176 to 178, 214 to 221, 223, 224; Stats. 2009 s. 323.70; 2017 a. 59; 2021 a. 104; 2021 a. 240 s. 30; s. 35.17 correction in (3m).

323.71 323.71 Local agency response and reimbursement.

323.71(1) (1) A person who possesses or controls a hazardous substance that is released or who causes the release of a hazardous substance shall take the actions necessary to protect public health and safety and prevent damage to property.

323.71(2) (2) If action required under sub. (1) is not being adequately taken or the identity of the person responsible for an emergency involving a release or potential release of a hazardous substance is unknown and the emergency involving a release or potential release threatens public health or safety or damage to property, a local agency may take any emergency action that is consistent with the contingency plan for the undertaking of emergency actions in response to the release or potential release of hazardous substances established by the department of natural resources under s. 292.11 (5) and that it considers appropriate under the circumstances.

323.71(3) (3) From the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (dr), the division shall reimburse a local emergency response team for costs incurred by the team in responding to an emergency involving a hazardous substance release, or potential release, if the division determines that an emergency requiring the team’s response existed. Reimbursement is available under s. 20.465 (3) (dr) only if the local emergency response team has made a good faith effort to identify the person responsible under sub. (4) and that person cannot be identified, or, if that person is identified, the team has received reimbursement from that person to the extent that the person is financially able or has determined that the person does not have adequate money or other resources to reimburse the local emergency response team. Reimbursement under this subsection shall be issued to the local agency within 60 days after receiving a complete application for reimbursement on a form prescribed by the division if the agency applies for reimbursement within 45 days after the conclusion of the deployment of the local emergency response team.

323.71(4) (4) 

323.71(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a person shall reimburse a local agency as provided in sub. (5) for actual, reasonable, and necessary expenses incurred in responding to an emergency involving the release or potential release of a hazardous substance if any of the following conditions applies:

323.71(4)(a)1. 1. The person possessed or controlled a hazardous substance involved in the emergency.

323.71(4)(a)2. 2. The person caused the emergency.

323.71(4)(b) (b) A local emergency response team may receive reimbursement under par. (a) only if the division determines that an emergency requiring the team’s response existed.

323.71(5) (5) 

323.71(5)(a) (a) The county board may designate a county employee or body as the reviewing entity under this subsection. If the county board does not make a designation, the local emergency planning committee is the reviewing entity.

323.71(5)(am) (am) A local agency seeking reimbursement under sub. (4) shall submit a claim stating its expenses to the reviewing entity for the county in which the emergency occurred.

323.71(5)(b) (b) The reviewing entity shall review claims submitted under par. (am) and determine the amount of reasonable and necessary expenses incurred. The reviewing entity shall provide a person who is liable for reimbursement under sub. (4) with a notice of the amount of expenses it has determined to be reasonable and necessary that arose from the emergency involving the release or potential release of a hazardous substance and that were incurred by all local agencies from which the reviewing entity receives a claim.

323.71(5)(c) (c) If a person receiving a notice under par. (b) objects to the amount of expenses in the notice, the person may ask the reviewing entity to review its determination. The reviewing entity may modify the determination and shall notify the person of the result of its review.

323.71(5)(d) (d) A person liable for reimbursement under sub. (4) shall pay the reimbursement directly to each local agency.

323.71(6) (6) A county may enact an ordinance in conformity with this section that governs the administration of claims under sub. (5).

323.71 History History: 1989 a. 256; 1995 a. 13, 227, 247; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16; 2009 a. 42 ss. 222, 225 to 231; Stats. 2009 s. 323.71; 2021 a. 104.

323.72 323.72 Urban search and rescue emergency response.

323.72(1) (1) An urban search and rescue task force designated by the division shall assist at the direction of the division in an emergency response involving search, rescue, and recovery in the technical rescue disciplines, including structural collapse, rope rescue, vehicle extrication, machinery extrication, confined space, trench, excavation, and water operations in an urban search and rescue environment. Whenever an urban search and rescue task force assists in an emergency response under this subsection, the division shall determine whether an emergency requiring the urban search and rescue task force’s response existed. If the division determines that such an emergency existed, it shall make a good faith effort to identify the person who is required to reimburse the division under sub. (3). The division shall contract with local agencies, as defined in s. 323.70 (1) (b), to establish an urban search and rescue task force. A member of an urban search and rescue task force shall meet the most current training, competency, and job performance requirement standards for a search and rescue task force issued by the National Fire Protection Association and the most current version of the urban search and rescue standard issued by the Emergency Management Accreditation program.

323.72(2) (2) From the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (h) or (hm), the division shall reimburse a local agency under sub. (1) for costs incurred by the local agency in responding to an emergency requiring an urban search and rescue task force response if the division determines that such a response was necessary. Reimbursement under this subsection shall be issued to the local agency within 60 days after receiving a complete application for reimbursement on a form prescribed by the division if the agency applies for reimbursement within 45 days after the conclusion of the deployment of the urban search and rescue task force.

323.72(2m) (2m) From the appropriation under s. 20.465 (3) (hm), the division shall reimburse a local agency under sub. (1) for costs incurred by the local agency for any increase in contributions for duty disability premiums under s. 40.05 (2) (aw) for employees who receive duty disability benefits under s. 40.65 because of an injury incurred while performing duties as a member of an urban search and rescue task force under sub. (1).

323.72(3) (3) A person shall reimburse the division for costs incurred by an urban search and rescue task force in responding to an emergency if the division determines that an emergency requiring the urban search and rescue task force’s response existed and that the person caused the emergency.

323.72(4) (4) A member of an urban search and rescue task force who is acting under a contract under sub. (1) is considered an employee of the state for purposes of worker’s compensation benefits.

323.72(6) (6) The department of military affairs may submit to the joint committee on finance a request to supplement the appropriation account under s. 20.465 (3) (hm) for the purposes for which the appropriation is made. If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the department within 14 working days after receiving the request that the cochairpersons have scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the request, the appropriation account under s. 20.465 (3) (hm) shall be supplemented from the appropriation account under s. 20.865 (4) (a), as provided in the request. If, within 14 working days after receiving the request, the cochairpersons notify the department that the cochairpersons have scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the request, the appropriation account may be supplemented from the appropriation account under s. 20.865 (4) (a) only as approved by the committee. Notwithstanding s. 13.101 (3), the committee is not required to find that an emergency exists prior to supplementing the appropriation account under s. 20.465 (3) (hm).

323.72(7) (7) In this section, “urban search and rescue task force” means an all hazards rescue team that is a core component of a Search and Rescue Essential Support Function 9 (ESF 9) mission, including a type I urban search and rescue task force, type III urban search and rescue task force, or any component thereof, as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Incident Management System Search and Rescue resource typing system.

323.72 History History: 2009 a. 43 s. 1; Stats. 2009 s. 323.72; 2011 a. 258 s. 67; 2021 a. 104; s. 35.17 correction in (1).

subch. VIII of ch. 323 SUBCHAPTER VIII

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACTS

323.80 323.80 Emergency management assistance compact. The following compact, by and between the state of Wisconsin and all other states that enter into the compact, is ratified and approved:

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACT

323.80(1) (1) Article I — Purpose and Authorities.

323.80(1)(a) (a) This compact is made and entered into by and between the participating member states that enact this compact, called “party states” in this section. In this agreement, the term “states” means the several states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territorial possessions.

323.80(1)(b) (b) The purpose of this compact is to provide for mutual assistance among the party states in managing any emergency or disaster that is declared by the governor of the affected state, whether arising from natural disaster, technological hazard, man-made disaster, civil emergency aspects of resource shortages, community disorders, insurgency, or enemy attack.

323.80(1)(c) (c) This compact also provides for mutual cooperation in emergency-related exercises, testing, or other training activities using equipment and personnel simulating performance of any aspect of the giving and receiving of aid by party states or subdivisions of party states during emergencies if such activities occur outside actual declared emergency periods. Mutual assistance in this compact may include the use of the states’ national guard forces, either in accordance with the national guard mutual assistance compact or by mutual agreement among states.

323.80(2) (2) Article II — General Implementation.

323.80(2)(a) (a) Each party state recognizes that many emergencies transcend political jurisdictional boundaries and that intergovernmental coordination is essential in managing these and other emergencies under this compact. Each party state recognizes that there will be emergencies which require immediate access and present procedures to apply outside resources to make a prompt and effective response to such an emergency.

323.80(2)(b) (b) The prompt, full, and effective utilization of resources of the party states, including any resources on hand or available from the federal government or any other source, that are essential to the safety, care, and welfare of the people in the event of any emergency or disaster declared by a party state, shall be the underlying principle on which subs. (1) to (12) of this compact shall be understood.

323.80(2)(c) (c) On behalf of the governor of each party state, the legally designated state official who is assigned responsibility for emergency management will be responsible for formulation of the appropriate interstate mutual aid plans and procedures necessary to implement this compact.

323.80(3) (3) Article III — Party State Responsibilities.

323.80(3)(a) (a) It shall be the responsibility of each party state to formulate procedural plans and programs for interstate cooperation in the performance of the responsibilities listed in this subsection. In formulating such plans, and in carrying them out, the party states, insofar as practical, shall do all of the following:

323.80(3)(a)1. 1. Review individual state hazards analyses and, to the extent reasonably possible, determine all those potential emergencies the party states might jointly suffer, whether due to natural disaster, technological hazard, man-made disaster, emergency aspects of resource shortages, civil disorders, insurgency, or enemy attack.

323.80(3)(a)2. 2. Review party states’ individual emergency plans and develop a plan that will determine the mechanism for the interstate management and provision of assistance concerning any potential emergency.

323.80(3)(a)3. 3. Develop interstate procedures to fill any identified gaps and to resolve any identified inconsistencies or overlaps in existing or developed plans.

323.80(3)(a)4. 4. Assist in warning communities adjacent to or crossing the state boundaries.

323.80(3)(a)5. 5. Protect and assure uninterrupted delivery of services, medicines, water, food, energy and fuel, search and rescue, and critical lifeline equipment, services, and resources, both human and material.

323.80(3)(a)6. 6. Inventory and set procedures for the interstate loan and delivery of human and material resources, together with procedures for reimbursement or forgiveness.

323.80(3)(a)7. 7. Provide, to the extent authorized by law, for temporary suspension of any statues or ordinances that restrict the implementation of the responsibilities listed in subds. 1. to 6.

323.80(3)(b) (b) The authorized representative of a party state may request assistance of another party state by contacting the authorized representative of that state. The provisions of this agreement shall only apply to requests for assistance made by and to authorized representatives. Requests may be made by and to authorized representatives. Requests may be verbal or in writing. If verbal, the request shall be confirmed in writing within thirty days of the verbal request. Requests shall provide all of the following.

323.80(3)(b)1. 1. A description of the emergency service function for which assistance is needed, such as fire services, law enforcement, emergency medical, transportation, communications, public works and engineering, building inspection, planning and information assistance, mass care, resource support, health and medical services, and search and rescue.

323.80(3)(b)2. 2. The amount and type of personnel, equipment, materials and supplies needed, and a reasonable estimate of the length of time they will be needed.

323.80(3)(b)3. 3. The specific place and time for staging of the assisting party’s response and a point of contact at that location.

323.80(3)(c) (c) There shall be frequent consultation among state officials who have assigned emergency management responsibilities and other appropriate representatives of the party states with affected jurisdictions and the U.S. government, with free exchange of information, plans, and resource records relating to emergency capabilities.

323.80(4) (4) Article IV — Limitations. Any party state requested to render mutual aid or conduct exercises and training for mutual aid shall take any action that is necessary to provide and make available the resources covered by this compact in accordance with the terms of this compact, provided that it is understood that the state rendering aid may withhold resources to the extent necessary to provide reasonable protection for that state. Each party state shall afford to the emergency forces of any party state, while operating within its state limits under the terms and conditions of this compact, the same powers, except that of arrest unless specifically authorized by the receiving state, duties, rights, and privileges as are afforded forces of the state in which it is performing emergency services. Emergency forces will continue under the command and control of their regular leaders, but the organizational units will come under the operational control of the emergency services authorities of the state receiving assistance. These conditions may be activated, as needed, only subsequent to a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the governor of the party state that is to receive assistance or commencement of exercises or training for mutual aid and shall continue so long as the exercises or training for mutual aid are in progress, the state of emergency or disaster remains in effect, or loaned resources remain in the receiving state, whichever is longest.

323.80(5) (5) Article V — Licenses and Permits. Whenever any person holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any party state evidencing the meeting of qualifications for professional, mechanical, or other skills, and when such assistance is requested by the receiving party state, that person shall be deemed licensed, certified, or permitted by the state requesting assistance to render aid involving such skill to meet a declared emergency or disaster, subject to any limitations and conditions as the governor of the requesting state may prescribe by executive order or otherwise.

323.80(6) (6) Article VI — Liability. Officers or employees of a party state rendering aid in another party state shall be considered agents of the requesting state for tort liability and immunity purposes, and no party state or its officers or employees rendering aid in another party state shall be liable on account of any act or omission performed in good faith on the part of those forces while so engaged or on account of the maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection with the rendering of aid. “Good faith” in this subsection shall not include willful, wanton or reckless misconduct.

323.80(7) (7) Article VII — Supplementary Agreements. Inasmuch as it is probable that the pattern and detail of the machinery for mutual aid among two or more states may differ from that among the party states, this compact contains elements of a broad base common to all states, and nothing contained in this compact shall preclude any state from entering into supplementary agreements with another state or affect any other agreements already in force among states. Supplementary agreements may include provisions for evacuation and reception of injured and other persons and the exchange of medical, fire, police, public utility, reconnaissance, welfare, transportation and communications personnel, and equipment and supplies.

323.80(8) (8) Article VIII — Compensation. Each party state shall provide for the payment of compensation and death benefits to injured members of the emergency forces of that state and representatives of deceased members of those forces in case those members sustain injuries or are killed while rendering aid under this compact, in the same manner and on the same terms as if the injury or death were sustained within their own state.

323.80(9) (9) Article IX — Reimbursement. Except as provided in this subsection, any party state rendering aid in another state under this compact shall be reimbursed by the party state receiving the aid for any loss or damage to or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment and the provision of any service in answering a request for aid and for the costs incurred in connection with the requests. Any aiding party state may assume in whole or in part the loss, damage, expense, or other cost, or may loan equipment or donate services to the receiving party state without charge or cost. Any two or more party states may enter into supplementary agreements establishing an allocation of costs among those states. Subsection (8) expenses may not be reimbursable under this subsection.

323.80(10) (10) Article X — Evacuation. Plans for the orderly evacuation and interstate reception of portions of the civilian population as the result of any emergency or disaster of sufficient proportions to so warrant, shall be worked out and maintained among the party states and the emergency management or services directors of the various jurisdictions where any type of incident requiring evacuations might occur. Evacuation plans shall be put into effect by request of the state from which evacuees come and shall include the manner of transporting such evacuees, the number of evacuees to be received in different areas, the manner in which food, clothing, housing, and medical care will be provided, the registration of the evacuees, the providing of facilities for the notification of relatives or friends, the forwarding of such evacuees to other areas or the bringing in of additional materials, supplies, and all other relevant factors. Evacuation plans shall provide that the party state receiving evacuees and the party state from which the evacuees come shall mutually agree as to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in receiving and caring for the evacuees, for expenditures for transportation, food, clothing, medicines and medical care, and for like items. Those expenditures shall be reimbursed as agreed by the party state from which the evacuees come. After the termination of the emergency or disaster, the party state from which the evacuees came shall assume the responsibility for the ultimate support of repatriation of such evacuees.

323.80(11) (11) Article XI — Implementation.

323.80(11)(a) (a) This compact shall become operative immediately upon its enactment into law by any two states. After this compact becomes operative, this compact shall become effective as to any other state upon its enactment by such state.

323.80(11)(b) (b) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the compact, but the withdrawal shall not take effect until thirty days after the governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the governors of all other party states. Withdrawal from this compact shall not relieve the withdrawing state from obligations assumed under the compact before the effective date of withdrawal.

323.80(11)(c) (c) Authenticated copies of this compact and of any supplementary agreements as may be entered into shall, at the time of their approval, be deposited with each of the party states and with the federal emergency management agency and other appropriate agencies of the U.S. government.

323.80(12) (12) Article XII — Additional Provisions. Nothing in this compact shall authorize or permit the use of military force by the national guard of a state at any place outside that state in any emergency for which the president is authorized by law to call into federal service the militia, or for any purpose for which the use of the army or the air force would in the absence of express statutory authorization be prohibited under 18 USC 1385.

323.80 History History: 1999 a. 26; 2009 a. 42 s. 238; Stats. 2009 s. 323.80.

323.81 323.81 State and province emergency management assistance compact. The following compact, by and between the state of Wisconsin and all other jurisdictions that enter into the compact, is ratified and approved: