Menlo Park Fire Protection District

 

Radio Communications

 

Program Overview

The Radio Communications (RC) program’s purpose is to support all product research, purchasing, distributing, testing, and maintenance of radio communications equipment and provide training in mobile and handheld radio equipment.

Management Oversight

The RC program is directed by the Division Chief of Operations with oversight authority delegated to the Battalion Chiefs and program coordinator. This program does not have any full-time equivalent employees. This program contains the general expenditures pertaining to firefighting radio communications equipment, maintenance and repair services, and overtime for training and program administration.

Goals and Objectives

  • Ensure all radio communications equipment has connectivity with local and statewide mutual aid partners.
  • Train all fire safety personnel on radio communications equipment.
  • Maintain appropriate and adequate inventory of radio communications equipment.
  • Manage maintenance and repair of all radio communications equipment.
  • Ensure compliance with local and state- wide requirements.
  • Research and purchase radio communications equipment for District use.

FY 2023-24 Accomplishments

  • Maintain all mobile and portable radios district wide.
  • Coordinate with and support fleet with new vehicle purchase radio installs and systems.
  • Completed MOU with EBRCSA to obtain access to Fremont Fire Radio Communications.
  • Coordinated with SCBA program to ensure interoperability with new SCBA Bluetooth capabilities.
  • Created new code plug to encompass new MACS 441, Fremont Fire talk groups, and SFFD talk groups.
  • Identification of extensive warranty covered repairs with BK radios.
  • Coordinated with IT to maintain WIFI programming capability with multiple software upgrades.
  • Coordinated with Fire Prevention with building installed radio repeaters that were malfunctioning.

FY 2024-25 Program Initiatives

  • Complete an upgrade to all Motorola pagers and standardize the allocation.
  • Promptly address radio repairs within BK warranty window.
  • Deploy new code plug via WIFI for Motorola and hardwire for all BK radios.
  • Assist SCBA training with radio related connectivity training.
  • Assist Fire Prevention with HAM radio program training through public education coordinator.

Program Expenditure Summary

Expenditure Details

  • Fixed Assets: Fixed assets decreased by $31,766, representing a 61% decline compared to the prior year. This reduction is primarily attributed to a significant decrease in expenditures for radio equipment upgrades, as fewer upgrades or replacements were necessary this year compared to the previous period.