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K <br />1 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. i/_I- D <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 21, 1991 <br />SUBJECT: CONTRACT APPROVAL; COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM COVERAGE EVALUATION <br />AND SYSTEM UPGRADE RECOMMENDATIONS <br />DEPARTMENT: <br />PURCHASING /EMS <br />PUBLIC HEARING <br />YES: NO: XX <br />---------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones <br />Attachment <br />A-- example of computer <br />or <br />Nick Waters <br />generated terrain map <br />Telephone Number - <br />Attachment <br />B - -time table <br />Hillsborough <br />- 732 -8181 <br />Attachment <br />C - -cost proposal <br />Chapel Hill <br />-967 -9251 <br />Attachment <br />D-- contract <br />Mebane <br />--227 -2031 <br />Durham <br />- 688 -7331 <br />PURPOSE: To consider approving a contract with RF Projects, <br />Raleigh, NC to conduct an evaluation of current radio communication <br />capabilities and to recommend upgrades as needed. <br />BACKGROUND: Over the past several years it has been brought to our <br />attention that the radio coverage for Emergency Management functions <br />has been less than desirable. There are numerous "dead spots" within <br />the County where radio transmissions will not reach police, fire or <br />ambulance personnel. When these problems were identified, the County <br />contacted a State engineer who assisted with the technical evaluation <br />regarding transmitters and mobile radio equipment. The State provided <br />assistance to their level of expertise, but could not lend assistance <br />in the evaluation of antenna functions, nor mapping of the areas, etc. <br />They did, however, highly recommend RF Projects to assist us in <br />reaching a solution. <br />The coverage analysis to be conducted by RF Projects is to be <br />completed in five phases as follows: <br />Phase I involves a technical evaluation of the current equipment, <br />using as a basis the preliminary work done by the State, with <br />recommendations for any changes or repairs which could yield an <br />immediate improvement in performance. <br />Phase II produces a computer based model of the terrain in the <br />County and its effect upon radio propagation (see Attachment A). From <br />this information areas shadowed by the terrain can be determined. <br />