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PUBLIC NOTICE: ACCESS TO STATE RECORDSProvided pursuant to § 19.34, Wisconsin Statutes. You have a right to inspect and copy certain records under Wisconsin’s Public Records Law, §§ 19.31-19.39, Wis. Stats. |
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The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) provides an armed military force through the
Wisconsin National Guard, which is organized, trained, equipped, and available for deployment under
official orders in state and national emergencies. The federal mission of the National Guard is to
provide trained units to the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force in time of war or national emergency. Its
state mission is to help civil authorities protect life and property and preserve peace, order, and
public safety in times of natural or human-caused emergencies.
The Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management (WEM) coordinates the development and implementation
of the state emergency operations plan; provides assistance to local jurisdictions in the development
of their programs and plans; administers private and federal disaster and emergency relief funds;
administers the Wisconsin Disaster Fund; and maintains the state’s 24-hour duty officer reporting
and response system. WEM carries out all requirements of a State Emergency Response Commission under
federal law which requires public and private entities that possess hazardous substances to file reports
on these substances as well as oversees the establishment of local emergency planning committees and
implementation of their plans consistent with the state plan. Additionally, WEM contracts with regional
hazardous materials emergency response teams which respond to the most dangerous levels of hazardous
materials releases throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Homeland Security Council was created in March 2003 (Executive Order 7) to advise the
Governor and coordinate the efforts of state and local officials regarding the prevention of, and
response to, potential threats to the homeland security of the state.
DMA’s Adjutant General, the Deputy Adjutant General for Army, the Deputy Adjutant General for Air,
the WEM Administrator, and the Executive Assistant are state public officials.
Under the authority of Chapter 19 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Adjutant General and, in certain
instances, the WEM Administrator are the legal custodians of the Department’s records. The most
efficient method of requesting and receiving records is by filling out an online
Open Records Request.
Further requests for access to public records, and questions concerning the application of the public
records law, should be directed to:
Requests may be made during DMA’s normal office hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except for legal holidays. Requests may be made orally or in writing, and must be reasonably specific
as to subject matter or time period.
As soon as practicable and without delay, the custodian will either notify you of the availability of the
records requested, or deny the request in whole or in part because the records do not exist or are not
accessible under the public records law. The time it takes the custodian to respond to the request will
depend on factors including the nature and extent of the request and the availability of staff and other
resources necessary to process the request. If the custodian denies a written request, the requester has a
right to receive the denial in writing.
DMA may charge the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproducing or transcribing a record. When the
request calls for a copy of a record, and the record can be photocopied, DMA may charge its standard fee
of $.25 for each impression produced in response to the request. If the record requested is not in readily
comprehensible form (e.g. computer file, database entry), DMA may charge the actual cost of creating a
readily comprehensible copy.
If the cost of locating a record or removing confidential information is greater than $50, DMA may charge
the requester the actual, necessary and direct location or redaction cost. If the records are mailed to the
requester, DMA may charge the actual, necessary and direct shipping cost.
Regardless of who processes the request, fees will be calculated based on the hourly wage of the lowest
paid staff member capable of performing the work. The above fees apply except where a different fee is
authorized by law. DMA may request pre-payment if the total costs are greater than $5. Make checks
payable to Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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