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.

Program 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 2024-25 Accomplishments

  • Four frequencies acquired from the FCC and licensed to MPFPD, establishing one dedicated repeater channel and two tactical channels for training and emergency use in case of county radio failures.
  • Multiple warranty repairs to BK equipment, with the warranty set to expire this year.
  • Ongoing upgrade of Starlink for station alerting, with two stations already completed.
  • Four new vehicles outfitted with radios at no procurement cost (only new wiring purchased) through a hardware transfer plan, with radios remaining assigned to their respective units.
  • Joined the communications tech team and participated in the county infrastructure assessment and updates to the county radio plan.
  • New Motorola pagers were purchased and are ready to be distributed to all stations.

FY 2025-26 Program Initiatives

  • Complete the Starlink upgrade for all stations.
  • Ensure annual updates to code plugs for all portable and mobile radios are completed.
  • Implement the use of new MPFPD radio channels.
  • Conduct annual radio operations review training for all personnel.
  • Assist the fleet with radio needs during vehicle replacement and outfitting.

Program Expenditure Summary

Expenditure Details

Materials and supplies: This request includes funding for radio equipment, general supplies, and materials essential for daily operations. An increase of $40,500 is anticipated due to new purchase requests for radio equipment and related supplies in the upcoming fiscal year. This increase reflects the need to replace outdated equipment, expand radio capabilities, and ensure all personnel are properly equipped to maintain effective communication and operational efficiency.

 

Contract services: This request includes funding for general contract services, as well as equipment maintenance and repair expenses. An increase of $21,000 is expected due to the transfer of costs from San Mateo County related to the radio system and internet services to the program.

 

Fixed assets:  All fixed asset purchases will be reported in the Capital Improvement Projects Fund. There are no fixed asset expenditure requests for the current year.