Title
Recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the NGEN Mutual-aid and Interoperability Agency Radio Use Agreement, which will be used as an agreement template and required for any NGEN mutual-aid radio partner to operate their radios on the NGEN’s proprietary P25 radio system for the purposes and on the terms and conditions specified in the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the NGEN Mutual-aid and Interoperability Agency Radio Use Agreement, which will be used as an agreement template and required for any NGEN mutual-aid radio partner to operate their radios on the NGEN’s proprietary P25 radio system for the purposes and on the terms and conditions specified in the agreement.
SUMMARY:
During large‐scale events, both planned and unplanned, the need for support from other agencies is a common practice. The need to communicate between the host and supporting agencies is generally supported through a pre‐planned group of radio channels, frequencies, and talkgroups. This interoperability is commonly referred to as mutual aid communications. Mutual aid and interoperability radio enhances the ability of law enforcement agencies to communicate on expected frequencies during emergencies and other special operations.
DISCUSSION:
Public safety personnel across California are supported by various land mobile radio (LMR) systems in various frequency bands. This separation by radio systems and frequency bands is overcome by technology standards, cross-band patching systems, and prior planning by public safety officials. The best practice is that these preplanned channels, frequencies, and talkgroups be programmed in each radio so that if interoperable or mutual aid communications is required, the user’s radio will be capable of accessing the necessary channels, frequencies and talkgroups.
This agreement defines the responsibilities of both Monterey County Next Generation Radio Network (NGEN) and mutual-aid partners regarding mutual-aid radio setup and usage. It serves as part of the NGEN mutual-aid standard operating procedures. Once the agreement is approved and adopted, all NGEN mutual-aid radio partner agencies are expected to sign this agreement.
Adding additional radios to the NGEN system consumes NGEN system resources, increases staff workload, and is unfair to other participating NGEN agencies. Requesting agencies must be held accountable for using the NGEN system resource.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County staff recommends the Board of Supervisors approve the NGEN Mutual-aid and Interoperability Agency Radio Use Agreement, which will be required for any NGEN mutual-aid radio partner to operate their radios on the NGEN’s proprietary P25 radio system for the purposes and on the terms and conditions specified in the agreement.
FINANCING:
There is no fiscal impact to the County.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Board’s approval of the recommended agreement will assist in the overall accountability of any radio partner’s use of radios on the NGEN’s proprietary P25 radio system.
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
X_Public Safety
Prepared by: Teresa Meister, Management Analyst II, 759-6938
Approved by:
__________________________ Date:____________________
Eric A. Chatham, Chief Information Officer, 759-6920
Attachment: NGEN Mutual-aid and Interoperability Radio Use Agreement