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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 11, 2014 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 3 <br /> SUBJECT: Tower Study <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> A) Radio Communication Tower and Jim Groves, 245-6140 <br /> System Infrastructure Upgrade <br /> PURPOSE: To receive the findings from a study by Federal Engineering relating current radio <br /> coverage and proposed enhancements to the radio infrastructure. <br /> BACKGROUND: The State-owned Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders <br /> (VIPER) 800 MHz Radio System has been used by Orange County emergency response <br /> agencies for several years. During that time, several complaints have been raised by law <br /> enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) relating to coverage issues. This <br /> study took a look at our existing coverage under the VIPER system, and provides several <br /> suggestions for new tower sites to help improve coverage and building penetration. In addition, <br /> the study looked at the VHF Paging coverage, and provides recommendations to consider for <br /> improving VHF Paging coverage. The VHF paging system is used to activate pagers for fire <br /> departments as well as EMS when there is an emergency call. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: This presentation is for informational purposes. Tower construction is <br /> currently included in the Emergency Services Capital Investment Plan (CIP). Any action based <br /> on the recommendations of this report will be presented to the Board at a regular meeting. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation <br /> for informational purposes. <br />