Agenda - 04-20-2010 - 4h - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Amateur Radio Link Support: Supporting our communication efforts and playing a key role during disasters and special events is a group of dedicated volunteers -the Amateur Radio Emergency Service CARES). To support their operation, the Emergency Services Meadowlands site needs to properly accommodate the equipment in the form of an antenna and radio set-up within the Emergency Operations Center at a cost of $10,000. ARES members bring to the operation their own portable radio equipment reflecting thousands of dollars of personal investment. This action will provide equipment complimenting their system to allow better, quicker start-up time during disasters when time is critical. Satellite Phone Link: The satellite phone system provides Orange County with a satellite based communications tool during a widespread disaster. The Satellite phone system can connect directly with mutual aid counties as well as the State Emergency Operations Center when other forms of communication are down. In addition, maintaining the satellite phone in a state of operation is a requirement of the annual Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) from North Carolina Emergency Management. Emergency Services will move the satellite phone hardware from 1914 New Hope Church Road and reinstall it in the new Emergency Services building at 510 Meadowlands Drive at a cost of $2,000. NCDOT Highway Safety Camera System: The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) allows access to its network of traffic cameras to assist public safety with monitoring traffic along major highways and interstates. This action will allow Emergency Services through the E911 Center to monitor roadway situations and more effectively route emergency response vehicles to major accident scenes. Several traffic video monitors will be used with E911 having full control (pan, tilt, zoom) of the cameras which is not allowed to the public. The public does have "view only" access to the NCDOT cameras through the NCDOT travel information website (http://www.ncdot.org/traffictravelh. Weather conditions could also be better monitored along Interstate 40 and Interstate 85 utilizing this system. The cost of this initiative is $65,000. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds for the purchase of the above mentioned items, totaling $112,000, will come from the remaining $400,000 surplus 911 funds that the Board approved setting. aside in an Emergency Services Reserve Capital Project for equipment, vehicles, and capital maintenance. Purchases will go out to bid as appropriate. With this appropriation, $288,000 would remain available for future allocations from the Board for Emergency Services equipment. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Approve the purchase of the items described under BACKGROUND above to update the Public Safety Communications Infrastructure; and 2. Approve funds up to $112,000 from the Emergency Services Reserve Capital Project, allocate this amount to the Emergency Services Department's capital budget section within the General Fund for the purchase, and approve the attached capital project ordinance.