Minutes 10-02-2014 Fire - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

VIPER system does very little for the County. It only bolsters the state system, and if money is going to be spent it should have local benefit. Dan Jones said another limit of the VIPER system is that it will not allow any of the public works departments on the radio system, which requires there to be two separate radio systems. He said in an emergency, there is a need for communications with these public works departments. He said the timing is now to look at what is the best option to meet these local needs. Matthew Mauzy (South Orange Rescue Squad-SORS) said his department has experienced the same problems as everyone else. He said they have especially had issues at large events such as UNC football games. He said troopers coming in for a large event are tuned to their local stations, and this causes the tower utilization to skyrocket. He said this presents a problem when trying to transmit calls from the event venue. Matthew Mauzy said this is the time to evaluate what the most responsible way to go with this. Commissioner Price said she attended a meeting of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and saw a presentation about First Net. She asked about this. Matthew Mauzy said First Net is the next coverage beyond a national radio system. He said this brings in other types of communication, such as video. He said this is not very applicable as a replacement for radio coverage. He said it is something to keep an eye on, but it will not meet their communication needs in the next five years. Commissioner Price asked about the use of 4G cell phones by first responders. Jeff Cabe said using a cell phone would work well for EMS or law enforcement, but it is not practical for firefighters in a full turnout gear and a heated room. He said his question is what model can be followed and function in emergency situations when the power has been out for two weeks. He said this is even an issue with VIPER when the power goes out at the center in Raleigh. He said it would be great to be able to communicate with other areas, but Orange County is a lower tier. He said this means if an emergency occurs, the higher tiers will take channels from them. He said the County needs a system that allows for the ability to talk with the call center and each other in the event of an emergency. Commissioner Pelissier said she and Commissioner Price were under the impression that First Net would solve all of their problems with VIPER. She asked if the options being considered will fit in with First Net in the long run. She said it was her understanding that everyone would be using First Net in the future. Dan Jones said the First Net presenters seem to be using the same marketing concept that VIPER used. He said at this time this technology is still conceptual, and he has not heard anything about how the hardware will work and who will build the infrastructure. He said until there is more information about what First Net is and how it ties into the local systems he would not want to plan their future around this. Commissioner Gordon asked what would be needed to build a radio system to address the problems. She asked about the method for interoperability. She said this is an urgent issue because of the possibility of unforeseen disasters, and public health and safety communications are critical. Bonnie Hammersley said Jim Groves has already done some work on suggestions for the replacement of the VIPER system. She said it will be important to have input from all of the fire departments moving forward in the decision making process. She said at the next Board of County Commissioners meeting there will be discussion about this process of moving away from the VIPER system.