Agenda - 05-02-2017 - 7-b - Countywide Radio Communications Needs Assessment and Alternatives Report

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omNV 3 i Orange County, North Carolina 41 w�I1V"�+��Ir�o '��I�M C. o Air Il i Y Selected Replacement Radio Solution Recommendation Report Executive Summary The existing Orange County public safety radio communications systems have served first responder agencies adequately for many years. However, multiple system components are at or near end of life, spare parts are hard to find, and vendor support will be ending in the next few years. Existing radio systems do not have the built-in redundancy that prevents system outages in the event of component failure or other disasters. As Orange County continues to grow, they have recognized that current public safety radio systems do not meet today's radio coverage, capacity, and resiliency requirements. Recognizing these factors, the County engaged Federal Engineering, Inc. (FE) in a multi-phased approach to system evaluation, planning, and alternatives development. Previous phases of the project focused on defining needs and requirements, and review of alternatives for a replacement radio system. This phase of the project provides an in- depth analysis of the Orange County (County) selected replacement radio solution. Following detailed technical meetings and discussions, the Orange County Radio Team obtained consensus and agreement of all user agencies on the replacement radio solution and the steps that should be followed for implementing the system. The County selected a replacement radio solution that was a combination of previously identified system approaches. The Orange County Radio Team decided that the long-term solution that best meets County needs and requirements is a 700/800 MHz P25 system that will provide communications for all public safety agencies, and provide for the future addition of public service and other agencies such as schools, public works, animal control, Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), and transit. The County decided that the replacement radio solution will be implemented in steps over time. In addition, the County selected a VHF system for use by volunteer fire departments. The County will continue to use the Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER) system for backup and interoperable communications, but will transfer the day-to-day communications to the new Orange County 700/800 MHz P25 system. Step 1 Step 1 of the selected replacement radio solution consists of sharing the system control equipment (core) of Durham County, constructing four sites in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area, and connecting the new system to the existing dispatch consoles. By sharing a system, the capital costs associated with the system control equipment, which are substantial, are eliminated. Sharing the core equipment will require development and execution of an interlocal agreement between Orange County and Durham County (the system control equipment owner). This agreement will contain the roles and responsibilities of both counties, and the payments required. Page 1 of 4 April 14, 2017 ;Tv �" eery,.