SUMMARY

Project Name: Fire Portable Radio

Department: Fire Department

Start Date: 7/01/2020

End Date: 6/30/2026

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The FY24 non-bondable CIP allocation for Fire Portable Radios is part of the citywide radio replacement initiative that was started alongside the regional 800mhz/P25 radio system replacement/upgrades. Some generations of portables and/or mobile radios that have been in service across the city will not work on the new system. This required the replacement of these devices, and in some cases upgrades to existing devices that may be compatible in part with the new radio system.

The FY24 allocation of $45,000 for the fire department is an additional installment of the on-going initiative that is slated to run through FY26. The first years of these installments were dropped from $75,000/yr to the current $45,000/yr until FY26 when it is proposed to increase back to the original $75,000 amount.

These funds will allow the fire department to replace non-compatible radios (portable or mobile), and/or upgrade radios that are in part compatible. This effort is currently underway with an allocation of $45,000 in FY23 to continue phasing in needed replacements.

RELATIONSHIP TO comprehensive PLAN:

Chapter 9 : Community Facilities and Services

Goal 4. Emergency Management

Reduce community, citizen, and employee vulnerability to hazards and improve community resilience in the face of natural and man-made disasters by employing an all-hazards, whole-of government approach to emergency preparedness, and integrating planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Goal 5. Fire Protection Services

Provide superior fire and emergency services focused on prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, and cultivation of a safe, resilient, and self-sufficient community.

Goal 6. Emergency Medical Services

Support a resilient, safe community through the provision of the highest quality Emergency Medical Services focused on service delivery, patient outcomes, and responder health and safety.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES / STATUS:

The current fire-rated/extreme portable radios have a current cost of approximately $6,000/portable (including the lapel mic and required entitlements). The $45,000/yr allocation will fund the replacement of roughly 7 portables/year. Each piece of apparatus carries four of these portable radios (one with 5) and a mobile radio (ambulances have two portables and a mobile radio). On the apparatus alone we have roughly 45 portable radios. We also maintain additional event radios, as well as support staff radios.

The FY23-26 allocations provide for roughly 27 portable radio replacements in total. The fire department has previously relied on funding for radio purchases using initial one time funds included as part of the apparatus replacement costs. This replacement funding plan was created when legacy radios had to be replaced early in relation to the regional 800mhz/P25 radio system replacement/upgrades to be certain there was a sustainable and successful replacement plan for the future.