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MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
Brian Martin, Sheriff/Coroner
DATE: September 19, 2017
SUBJECT: (a) Update on Amendment No.1 to the Contract Agreement between the County of
Lake and the Fire Protection Districts for Dispatch Services
(b) Update on Lake Red Net radio frequency and possible direction to staff
(c) Consideration of Rescission of First Amendment to Agreement Between the
County of Lake and the Fire Protection Districts for Dispatch Services
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As your Board recalls, on June 20, 2017, you approved Amendment No.1 to the Contract Agreement between the County of Lake and the Fire Protection Districts for Dispatch Services. This amendment was prepared in response to the County receiving a letter from the Lake County Fire Chiefs’ Association, signed by Lakeport Fire Chief Douglas P. Hutchison, advising of the Chiefs’ desire to secure another provider for dispatch services and plan to transition over the next 12-18 months. Said amendment was intended to support the Fire Districts’ plans to terminate the existing agreement for dispatch services with the Sheriff which, prior to the amendment, provided only for termination with cause.
After your Board approved, said Amendment was forwarded to each of the Districts for approval and signature but none has taken action to execute it. Since that time, the Sheriff was approached by a representative from CalFire with a request to sign a Frequency Usage Agreement that would allow CalFire to utilize Lake Red Net to deliver dispatching services to the Fire Districts. For many years, the Sheriff’s Office has used this frequency to provide dispatching services for the Fire Districts. This frequency is licensed to the County of Lake. Radio frequencies are a finite commodity, and obtaining licensure from the FCC is not a simple process. The Sheriff declined to sign this agreement for a variety of reasons and recommends that the Board direct staff to ensure that this frequency and associated licensing is retained by the County for County use.
It is the Sheriff’s intent to use Lake Red Net as an alternate, tactical radio frequency for use during emergency situations by first responders and disaster service workers. This secondary frequency will be useful in ensuring that our law enforcement responders, and disaster services workers, have a frequency that is available to them, and proven to work throughout Lake County. On nearly a daily basis, Sheriff’s Office personnel respond to situations that require the closure of our primary frequency so that emergency operations can occur without interference from non-emergency radio transmissions. Having the ability to transfer our communications to a “tactical channel” will allow us to continue to provide routine services, while safely allowing the exchange of information for those who need it.
The Sheriff and the County Administrative Officer are requesting an opportunity to update your Board regarding Amendment No.1 to the Contract Agreement and on Lake Red Net, with possible direction to staff. We are also recommending your Board rescind the First Amendment to Agreement between the County of Lake and the Fire Protection District for Dispatch Services, which was never executed by the Fire Protection Districts.
FISCAL IMPACT: _X_ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost:
Amount Budgeted:
Additional Requested:
Annual Cost (if planned for future years):
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): N/A
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): N/A
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Rescind First Amendment to Agreement Between the County of Lake and the Fire Protection Districts for Dispatch Services