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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 5, 2012 <br />1 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. __I� <br />SUBJECT: Approval of a Recommendation from the Emergency Services Workgroup to <br />Conduct a Coverage Assessment for the VIPER System <br />DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br />County Manager <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1. Abstract Dated December 13, 2011 <br />2. VIPER Tower Consultant Scope of <br />Work & Recommended Vendors <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />F. R. Montes de Oca, Emergency <br />Services Director, 245 -6100 <br />Michael Talbert, Assistant County <br />Manager, 245 -2308 <br />PURPOSE: To approve a recommendation from the Emergency Services Workgroup to <br />conduct a Needs Assessment for the VIPER (Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency <br />Responders) System to improve County -wide coverage as outlined in Attachment 2. <br />BACKGROUND: In 2001 Orange County began discussions with the public safety <br />community and started planning for the implementation of VIPER. In 2003 the VIPER <br />system first appeared in the County Capital Investment Plan and by 2009 the system <br />switchover was complete with the exception of the Sheriff's Department. In early 2011 the <br />Sheriff's Departments' radios were installed and all Orange County public safety agencies <br />were using VIPER. <br />The VIPER radio system has been installed as designed and is functioning well, but it is not <br />perfect. The system, like any other digital communication system, is in need of expansion <br />and technology upgrades as the state -wide system grows and technology constantly changes <br />and improves. The current VIPER system does not produce 100% coverage, resulting in <br />"dead spots ". <br />At a work session on November 17, 2011, the Board discussed coverage, capacity and <br />building penetration issues in Orange County. There was consensus that the County needs <br />to make improvements and upgrades to the VIPER system. Orange County does not have <br />the technical expertise to evaluate coverage and capacity issues with the VIPER system. A <br />technical analysis is required to provide accurate information to solve the coverage and <br />capacity deficiencies. <br />At the December 13, 2011 regular meeting, the Board approved technical assistance with the <br />County's VIPER system from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Working with the <br />North Carolina State Highway Patrol has provided valuable information regarding the current <br />