SUBJECT
Title
EMERGENCY SERVICES - 2022 HIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PROGRAM GOVERNING BODY RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS AND SIGN GRANT AGREEMENT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Office of Emergency Services (OES) coordinates the overall county response to disasters. OES is responsible for alerting and notifying appropriate agencies when disaster strikes, coordinating agencies that respond, ensuring resources are available and mobilized in times of disaster, developing plans and procedures for response to and recovery from disasters and developing and providing preparedness materials for the public.
On February 8, 2022, the County OES applied for a funding opportunity from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the High Frequency Communications Equipment Program. The purpose of the program is to provide funding to Alerting Authorities, Emergency Operations Centers, or County Sheriff’s offices for equipment that will allow local governments to be included in an integrated, high frequency radio network service authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to provide a redundant communications capability for state, local, and federal agencies. On May 9, 2022, the County OES was notified by Cal OES of its intent to award the County $60,000 for the purchase of High Frequency Communications Equipment.
Today’s request is to adopt a resolution to authorize the Director of County OES, or designee to execute any actions necessary for the purposes of this grant and accept the grant funding.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery, which requires prior approval of grant applications.
2. Ratify the submission of the grant application and authorize the Director of OES to accept $60,000 in grant funds for the period of April 1, 2022, through October 31, 2023, from Cal OES for purchase of High Frequency Communications Equipment.
3. Adopt a Resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE HIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PROGRAM.
4. Authorize the Director of OES to execute all grant related documents, including any annual extensions, amendments and/or revisions thereto that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding level.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Office of Emergency Services (OES) recognizes the systemic impacts that inequitable policies may create for residents of the County of San Diego. Impacts have historically included outcomes related to racial justice and issues of belonging that may be reflected in the programs, services and resources allocated to communities. To improve communications across all areas of the county, OES will collaborate with partner agencies utilizing an equity lens. OES anticipates these actions will have a positive effect on all county residents and increase Countywide emergency response and coordination capabilities, thereby benefitting all communities across the region.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Operational Plan for the Office of Emergency Services. If approved, this request will result in costs and revenue of $60,000 in Fiscal Year 2022-23. The funding source is California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The Cal OES High Frequency (HF) Communications Program allows the purchase of HF equipment compatible with the State of California’s (State) multitude of communication systems. The State uses Amateur Radio (HAM), Shared Resources (SHARES), and the State Communications High Frequency Single-Sideband Radio System (STACOM). These require a radio with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) that meet requirements of the Federal Communications Commission. The equipment is an ideal tool for communication interoperability across the State. SHARES channels are assigned at no cost to agencies which Cal OES and many local governments use in California. Cal OES also has the STACOM system, that counties are eligible to use under State held licenses. Both SHARES and STACOM use ALE signaling, and only compatible radios are interoperable on these systems. The grant will be used to purchase three Envoy high frequency radios. These radios will be installed at the County OES Emergency Operations Center, the County Sheriff’s Department Operations Center and the Public Health and Preparedness Medical Operations Center. Trainings will be conducted upon installation, and as needed moving forward for new users. The high frequency radios will provide a redundant communication system to increase communication capabilities across California.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions supports the Community Initiative of the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by accepting state funds to enhance the region’s ability to respond to disasters.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS UNDER THE HIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PROGRAM