Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

Agenda Item 38.

City Council Meeting

Meeting Date:	02/07/2017
FROM:	City Manager

Subject:

Recommendation for Radio Encryption Software

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize the purchase of encryption software to allow for encrypted frequencies on all Motorola Radios; one (1) Motorola KVL 4000 PDA key loader, two (2) Motorola APX 6000 portable radios, and one (1) Motorola APX 8000 radio.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

The Brea Fire Department currently utilizes the Motorola APX 7000 Dual band radios without the encryption software. This purchase was necessary to be P25 Complaint with the rest of the County as part of the 800 MHz radio upgrade. When purchased, the Brea Fire Department did not include the software to utilize the encrypted frequencies. Brea Fire Department historically has not provided Encryption to the Fire Department radios therefore there was no justification to purchase the encryption software at the time of purchase.

The County is now moving towards encrypting all Fire frequencies to not only allow for communication with the Police Community but to improve first responder safety. Brea Fire will not be able to communicate with other agencies or Police personnel without the necessary encryption software. The cost of the Encryption software and multi key programming is ($95,194.01).

Encrypting the radios is a two stage process and will require Orange County Communications (OCC) to reprogram the radios to include the necessary Police Frequencies as well as the actual encryption capability of each radio. The City will incur a significant cost if OCC is contracted to provide the reprogramming and Encryption. ($100 x 60 radios =$6,000) Brea IT recommended the purchase of the KVL 4000 PDA listed at ($4,244.88) would allow IT to program and provide encryption for ALL Brea radios in service as well as any radios purchased in the future. This purchase would allow for a quick turn around on all radio programming and encryption allowing for “in house” service.

Fire Prevention currently maintains (4) portable radios for Fire Prevention staff to utilize during sprinkler system/flow testing and other fire prevention activities. It was originally determined that Fire Prevention was not required to have radios and therefore were omitted from the original radio purchase. It has now been determined by the Fullerton Brea Division Chief/Fire Marshall that Fire Prevention does in fact have needs that would justify the purchase. These needs include; Sprinkler system testing, flow testing, as well as community events. It has been determined that the purchase of two APX 6000 is listed as ($9,067.06) would meet the operational need of the Fire Prevention Division.

The Emergency Preparedness Analyst (EPA) position is now assigned to the Fire Department. It is recommended that the EPA be assigned a radio that has 800 MHz, VHF, and UHF radio frequencies. The radio that can meet this need is the Motorola APX 8000 radio listed at ($6,466.32).

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Finance Committee reviewed staff's recommendations at meeting on January 31st and recommended to proceed.

FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY

The recommendation above is based on the need to be consistent with the rest of the County to insure communication with both Fire and Police agencies county wide, purchase the necessary equipment for Encryption and reprogramming, allow Fire Prevention to monitor the radio during system testing, and provide communications for the (EPA) during an EOC activation. The total cost of the upgrade is as follows:

Encryption Software- $95,194.01

(1) KVL 4000 PDA- $4,244.08
(2) APX 6000 Portable Radios- $9,067.06
(1) APX 8000- $6,466.32

Total expenditure $114,971.47

There are sufficient reserves in the Public Safety Augmentation Fund (Prop. 172 Funds) to cover the cost of this upgrade. An appropriation of $115,000 has been included in the City’s Mid-Year Budget Adjustments. There is no General Fund Impact.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Chris Guerrero, Division Chief - Support Services
Concurrence: Wolfgang Knabe, Fire Chief