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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 26, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~ f ~ <br />SUBJECT: Authorization for Emergency Services to Apply for 2007 COPS Technology <br />Grant with the City of Durham <br />DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Initial Grant Announcement Kent McKenzie, 968-2050 <br />Initial Budget Spreadsheet <br />PURPOSE: To authorize the Division of Emergency Services to apply for Interoperable <br />Communications Equipment as asub-applicant from the City of Durham. <br />BACKGROUND: The United States Department of Justice COPS office awarded Orange <br />County and the City of Durham a competitive grant in the amount of $3,998,320 in 2005 to <br />procure interoperable communications equipment. Orange County's share equaled $1,353,160 <br />and was originally identified to purchase interoperable radio consoles and portable radios. Due <br />to the nature of the grant, the City of Durham was the lead agency for the grant and Orange <br />County was asub-applicant. The Board approved the grant acceptance and original contract <br />with the City of Durham on March 2, 2006. Orange County Emergency Services is currently in <br />the process of procuring and installing the equipment funded under this grant. <br />The COPS Office recently announced the availability of funding for equipment as part of its 2007 <br />grant package to geographic areas that fit the description of a Metropolitan Statistical Area <br />(MSA) to increase interoperability among emergency personnel and units in the region. The <br />initial guidance is attached for review. <br />Orange County is again eligible to apply for funding as part of the Durham MSA and proposes to <br />request funding for 3 projects: <br />• Interoperable mobile radios <br />• 9-1-1 center upgrades <br />• Signal enhancement for the Eastgate area of eastern Chapel Hill, including the Eastgate <br />Shopping Center. <br />For the first of three projects, Orange County Emergency Services would request $800,000 for <br />interoperable mobile radios for response vehicles in the Sheriff's Office, EMS units and Fire <br />Department vehicles as part of the grant. $200,000 is already in the budget for this equipment <br />