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MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jim Steele, District 3 Supervisor
DATE: November 14, 2017
SUBJECT: Consideration and Discussion of the Red Net Fire Response Frequency in Lake County
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The issue of the Red Net Fire Response Frequency has been in front of the Board recently and I requested another meeting to discuss the history and a possible resolution. The Sheriff has shown a keen interest and should be apprised.
There are several frequencies used by the five fire districts in Lake County. There is one primary channel dispatch channel known as Red Net that has four licensed repeaters with several base stations that covers the five fire districts. This primary channel was applied for by Lakeshore Fire Chief Don Parker in the early 1970's. Red Net use has been continuous for fire related matters for 45 years.
At the beginning of central dispatch and the 911 system implementation in the 1980's the FCC required the license to be placed in a single custodianship for a point of contact. The County took ownership for that purpose. The fire districts are requesting that both the County and the Lake County Fire Chief's Association be concurrent owners to maintain historical continuity with the County and allow the Association to move the point of dispatch as needed for their needs and still retain use in the county.
The requirements for fire dispatch continuity throughout the fire response community have changed over the years because of changing fire behaviors and ever increasing risk to the public. Keeping up with these changes and using the evolving special language that supports coordinated callouts are essential. Moving the Red Net into an environment of specific fire trained dispatchers will increase effectiveness and agility to make needed change.
The Chiefs have discussed this for some time but can see that communication with the Board and Sheriff was lacking so would like to apologize for that. They req...
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