Title
Support authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2024-2025 Adopted Budget for the Emergency Communications Department (028-1520-EME004-8507) to increase revenue and appropriations by $61,757 to purchase Fire Station Alerting fire dispatching software from US Digital Designs where the increase is funded entirely with non-County revenue from cities and fire districts in Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee support authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2024-2025 Adopted Budget for the Emergency Communications Department (028-1520-EME004-8507) to increase revenue and appropriations by $61,757 to purchase Fire Station Alerting fire dispatching software from US Digital Designs where the increase is funded entirely with non-County revenue from cities and fire districts in Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Through multiple presentations and working group meetings, the Monterey County Fire Chiefs Association evaluated the need for a modern tool for the Emergency Communications Department to notify County Fire Department of active incidents. Currently, the County uses a radio frequency two-tone paging system and upgrading to a modern Fire Station Alerting (FSA) system would enhance response times and bolster public safety. This product can be integrated with the existing Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system software and hardware. It can also be configured for Automated Voice Dispatch (AVD) which can create more consistent radio volumes in the fire stations and may reduce dispatcher workload.
The Civil Grand Jury has also identified the need for a modern FSA solution in their 2024 report on the Monterey Fire Department. All Fire Departments that the Emergency Communications Department dispatches for will receive benefits from this new system through the use of newer technology offered by FSA through AVD. For Fire Departments to fully leverage the capabilities of FSA, they will need to install additional equipment in their stations. This equipment will be installed through separate agreements held by the individual fire departments and paid for directly by said fire department.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Budget Office has reviewed this recommendation. The Monterey County Fire Chiefs Association has reviewed these costs and selected this FSA solution. The Monterey County Information Technology Department Radio Shop has reviewed this project and provided a quote to integrate the FSA solution into the County Next Generation (NGEN) Radio System.
FINANCING:
This action will not result in any additional cost to the general fund or any County Departments. All Fire Agencies that the Emergency Communications Department dispatches for will share in the cost of this system.
The estimated first year costs of $61,757 include:
- $44,477 for the Fire Station Alerting System from US Digital Designs
- $13,280 from the Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch vendor CentralSquare for CAD integration
- $4,000 from County ITD for integration into the NGEN Radio System
Future year costs for maintenance, support and warranty fees and are estimated to be approximately $11,000 including $9,030 from CentralSquare and $1,980 from US Digital Designs. These costs will be incorporated into future budget requests and will also be recovered fully from the participating fire agencies.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This action meets the Board’s Public Safety Strategic Initiatives and demonstrates the County’s commitment to meeting the Board’s strategic initiative of Public Safety and Administration that supports the mission of Monterey County.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
_x_Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
_x_Public Safety
Prepared by: John Vaught, Finance Manager II, x8883
Approved by: Lee Ann Magoski, Director of Emergency Communications, x8880
Attachments:
Budget Committee Report
FSA Quote
CentralSquare Quote