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File #: 2022-0942   
Type: Consent Calendar Item Status: Passed
File created: 8/15/2022 In control: Emergency Management
On agenda: 9/20/2022 Final action: 9/20/2022
Title: High Frequency Communications Equipment Program Grant Award
Department or Agency Name(s): Emergency Management
Attachments: 1. Summary Report.pdf, 2. Budget Resolution.pdf

To: Board of Supervisors, County of Sonoma

Department or Agency Name(s): Emergency Management

Staff Name and Phone Number: Christopher Godley / 565-1152

Vote Requirement: 4/5th

Supervisorial District(s): Countywide

 

Title:

Title

High Frequency Communications Equipment Program Grant Award

End

 

Recommended Action:

Recommended action

A)                     Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to receive the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) High Frequency Communications Equipment Program award in the amount of $60,000.

B)                     Adopt a Budget Resolution increasing Fiscal Year 2022-23 revenue and expenditure appropriations by $60,000.

(4/5th Vote Required)

end

 

Executive Summary:

The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) was awarded funding through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) High Frequency Communications Equipment Program in May 2022 in the amount of $60,000. DEM is requesting adoption of a Budget Resolution to increase Fiscal Year 2022-23 revenue and expenditure appropriations.

 

Discussion:

The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) administers the High Frequency Communications Equipment Program grant on behalf of the State of California via the State General Fund.

 

The purpose of the High Frequency Communications Equipment (FH) Program is to provide funding for equipment that will allow local governments to be included in an integrated high frequency radio network service that utilizes frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission and intended to be capable of communications during a disaster with state, local, and federal agencies. 

 

DEM was notified in May 2022 of a program award of $60,000 to be administered on behalf of the Sonoma County Operational Area (OA). DEM will purchase three prime components of a High Frequency radio system: A base station for permanent deployment at the County EOC; A mobile version of this system designed for vehicle installation for inclusion in the DEM’s Mobile Command post and a separate portable version for deployment that can be taken into the field if existing infrastructure is destroyed or unusable. The mobile version and the portable version include Smartlink which is a router device that connects a Local Area Network for the radio which allows you to use smart phone or tablet to control the radio.  The three kits identified above include all required ancillary subcomponents for operation except for power generation.

 

This system will be used as a fail-safe communications system for communications with state agencies and other counties to coordinate response activities in the event of a widespread telecommunications failure.

 

Once installed, OA partners will participate in weekly tests with other participating counties and/or state agencies. This will be the responsibility of the DEM Staff Duty Officer. This will allow rotation of the responsibility within the Department while ensuring multiple entities are familiar with the system and able to activate the system in the event of an emergency.

 

The Grant Subaward Performance Period is from April 1, 2022, through October 31, 2023. DEM anticipates encumbering and expending the award within Fiscal Year 2022-23.

 

DEM is requesting a Budget Resolution to increase Fiscal Year 2022-23 revenue and expenditure appropriations to administer the grant.

 

Strategic Plan:

N/A

 

Prior Board Actions:

None.

 

Fiscal Summary

 Expenditures

FY 22-23 Adopted

FY23-24 Projected

FY 24-25 Projected

Budgeted Expenses

 

 

 

Additional Appropriation Requested

$60,000

 

 

Total Expenditures

$60,000

 

 

Funding Sources

 

 

 

General Fund/WA GF

 

 

 

State/Federal

$60,000

 

 

Fees/Other

 

 

 

Use of Fund Balance

 

 

 

Contingencies

 

 

 

Total Sources

$60,000

 

 

 

Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:

High Frequency Communications Equipment Program grant funding is appropriated as State Grant Revenue passthrough; there is no net cost to the General Fund.

 

Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):

None.

 

Attachments:

Budget Resolution

 

Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:

None.