About the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB)

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About

Mission

Develop and provide the highest level of standardized interoperable public safety and public service communications in accordance with the Code of Iowa.

Vision

All public safety and public service entities in and around Iowa can access and utilize interoperable communications systems.

The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB) was established in Iowa Code sections 80.28 and 80.29 under the joint purview of the State Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the State Department of Transportation (DOT) in 2007. ISICS now serves as the interoperability platform for the State of Iowa and its 3.21 million residents. ISICS is a two-zone 700/800 MHz Trunked P25 Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Phase II standard digital statewide radio platform providing 95% mobile coverage border to border. The growth of ISICS users has been tremendous. At the time of the publishing of the ISICSB 2024 Annual Legislative Report, over 260 agencies and more than 40,000 radios utilize ISICS with almost 3 million push-to-talks, or radio transmissions, each month. ISICS users are in all levels of government and non-governmental organizations.

The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB) achieves its mission through six dedicated committees, one subcommittee, and additional working groups as needed. The ISICSB Committees include Finance, Governance, Operations, Technology, Training and Outreach, User Group, and FirstNet Broadband Subcommittee. With seven members, the Board reflects a diverse cross-section of Iowa's public safety and public service sectors, encompassing all public safety disciplines. The ISICS communication system thrives because it integrates diverse perspectives, fosters collaboration, and represents the unique needs of its stakeholders. Whether law enforcement is coordinating with fire, emergency medical services, or school systems during a disaster or emergency, the ability to connect instantly ensures faster, more effective responses and improves outcomes for communities in need.

ISICS Board Members


Member	Title	Agency	Committee(s)	Term End
Michele Bischof (Fire Department)	Superintendent of Technical Services	Des Moines Fire Department	ISICSB Chair Finance Committee Chair	April 30, 2027
Patrick Updike (Member-At-Large)	Call Sign NONHB	Amateur Radio	ISICSB Vice-Chair Technology Committee Chair	April 30, 2027
Mindy Benson (Emergency Management)	Coordinator	Black Hawk County Emergency Management	FirstNet Broadband Subcommittee Chair	April 30, 2026
Curtis Woten (Emergency Medical Services)	EMS	Blakesburg Fire Department	Training and Outreach Committee Chair	April 30, 2026
David Ness (Municipal Police)	Major	Des Moines Police Department	Governance	April 30, 2025
Haley Nichols (non-voting) (Iowa SWIC)	Statewide Interoperability Coordinator	Iowa Department of Public Safety / ISICSB
Luke Erpelding (Communications Center)	Regional Communications Manager	Iowa Department of Public Safety	Operations Committee Chair	April 30, 2027
Jeff Vandewater (Sheriff's Office)	Sheriff	Adair County Sheriff's Office	User Group Committee (UGC) Chair	April 30, 2025
LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS
Jesse Green	Senator	Boone County (Boone)	District 24	January 10, 2027
Matt Blake	Senator	Polk County (Des Moines)	District 22	January 10, 2027
Mike Vondran	Representative	Scott County (Davenport)	District 94	January 10, 2027
				January 10, 2027