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Orange County Chief's Associatior , <br />GOALS <br />The Orange County Chief's Association recognizes the important interdependencies that exist to provide <br />emergency services to the citizens of Orange County. These goals are a mix of work that the OCCA can <br />complete independently and with others. Therefore, successful implementation of this plan and <br />completion of each objective often requires cooperation and communication with other key <br />stakeholders. <br />The OCCA recognizes that the importance of keeping in mind the "big picture," and has supported <br />adopting specific standards and identified timeframes for doing so throughout this plan. The OCCA <br />encourages its key partner agencies to do the same. The Orange County Chief's Association invites and <br />encourages the Orange County Board of Commissioners to carefully consider the goals and objectives in <br />this plan and how they can positively impact the citizens of Orange County. <br />GOAL I: Ensuring Viable and Reliable Voice and Data Communication <br />Objective A: To work with Orange County, relevant law enforcement agencies, the North Carolina <br />Highway Patrol, and outside experts to apply technology solutions to insure 99% radio coverage <br />throughout Orange County with building penetration by July 2013. The MMA Report acknowledged <br />these deficiencies, noting that "dead spots and poor building penetration place responders at risk when <br />operating under emergency conditions. "' <br />Background: Currently, the VIPER (Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) digital <br />800MHz system provides inadequate radio coverage for emergency services personnel across <br />Orange County. VIPER was originally designed for use at street level by the North Carolina <br />Highway Patrol. Fire and rescue providers often respond to calls beyond the highways, creating <br />substantial safety hazards. As Orange County Emergency services notes: "The current system <br />does not provide 100% coverage — there are "dead spots. "$ VIPER has problems with coverage, <br />capacity, and building penetration. <br />Construction of new towers in strategic locations may be required to address this problem. <br />Some fire departments in the county, including Chapel Hill, Efland, and White Cross, have <br />already purchased mobile repeaters to partially address this issue. These repeaters are vehicle <br />based, and cost approximately $20,000 each, and are not considered adequate substitutes for a <br />full tower.9 <br />The VIPER system is strained from its use by all Orange County public safety agencies. Due to the <br />increased usage, users are sometimes confronted with "busy bonks," a beeping when trying to <br />transmit due to system overload. The problem and the solution have been acknowledged by <br />Orange County. "Adding channels to existing towers will improve system capacity. The cost of <br />one channel added to one tower is approximately $30,000 and multiple channels will be needed <br />on multiple towers. "10 <br />7 MMA Consulting Group, April 2011, p. 78 <br />8 Orange County Board of Commissioners, November 17, 2011 Action Agenda Item #8 -d Abstract: Review of VIPER <br />9 Adapted from Orange County Board of Commissioners, November 17, 2011 Action Agenda Item #1 Abstract: VIPER <br />io Orange County Board of Commissioners, November 17, 2011 Action Agenda Item #1 Abstract: VIPER <br />7 <br />