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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DATE:

April 22,2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 9, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sheriff Greg Munks, Office of Emergency Services Area Coordinator

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the City and County of San Francisco for the Distribution of FY 07 Public Safety Interoperable Communications Program Funding to the County of San Mateo.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution Authorizing:

1.

An agreement with the City and County of San Francisco for the distribution of funding to the County of San Mateo as part of the FY 07 Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program, in the amount of $3,112,912, no net County costs

2.

The Sheriff or his designee to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications, in an amount not to exceed $25,000

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all; responsive, effective and collaborative government; leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life.

Goal: # 7, 22, and 25: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors; county and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County; and residents express their support for regional, collaborative approaches to issues.

This project aligns with Vision 2010 Goals by providing quality public safety in a collaborative model; and working in a collaborative manner with both our local and regional partners in responding to disasters and mutual aid.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Specific performance measure for the program is the response time to emergency incidents.

Measure

FY 07-08

Actual

FY 08-09

Target

Number of incidents responded to by OES staff

39

40

Percent of emergency incidents responded to within one hour

100%

100%

BACKGROUND:

In the wake of events such as Hurricane Katrina and the 9-11 attack, there has been recognition at all levels of government that greater communications interoperability is needed between public safety and service entities. To that end, San Mateo County has participated in several initiatives with other county, city, state, and federal agencies to promote and develop regionally interoperable public safety and service communities. A primary focus of these efforts is the development of a P25 standards based digital radio systems operating in the 700 MHz radio spectrums. The emerging alignment of a variety of factors that include: federal funding sources, an available radio spectrum dedicated to public safety (700 MHz), collaboration and common vision with our regional partners, and advances in technology, present a rare opportunity to increase the effectiveness of all first responders. To date, the City and County of San Francisco, Contra Costa County, Alameda County and Santa Clara County have either started to plan their migration to 700 MHz, and/or are planning to enhance their current regional interoperability.

DISCUSSION:

The County of San Mateo has received approval for interoperability grant dollars available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the California Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (OHS). The scope of the project approved includes the process to select a vendor to implement the development of an approved project P25 radio network and the development of the first simulcast cell for that network.

The proposed project builds out a 700 MHz Public Safety radio overlay within the boundaries of San Mateo County. This system will be the basis of a common communications platform with regional partners in Public Safety and Services. The scope of this project includes building a three site simulcast cell that will provide 700 MHz radio coverage along the US 101 corridor.

Upon completion of this project, San Mateo County will realize the improved interoperability communications capabilities with the surrounding Bay Area counties as well as State and Federal public safety agencies that will be operating in the 700 and 800 MHz spectrum.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The FY 2007-08 Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant was awarded to San Mateo County in May 2009 after delays with the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) process. This grant requires 20% ($622,582) matching funding. The matching funds will be issued from Information Services Department (ISD) reserve funds through a fixed asset account, radio user surcharge and $85,000 Sheriff’s budget. Ongoing maintenance costs for the system will be borne by the users and through annual service charges incorporated into the budget.