HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07231985 - 2.4 _ A:.,—()04
/+RD OF SUPERVISORS
ail Batchelor, County Administrator Contra
Costa
\. July 9, 1985 County
S\QCT: Emergency Communications Committee Status Report
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept the attached Status Report from the Emergency
Communications Committee and approve the two recommendations.
II. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
III. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
In its April 4, 1985 report to the Board, the Finance Committee
directed that a Progress Report be submitted by June 30, 1985.
IV. BACKGROUND:
During the first quarter of 1984, the Cities of Richmond and
Concord called to the attention of the staff of the County Office
of Emergency Services (OES) the fact that should the telephones
fail, most of the incorporated cities of the county would be
unable to communicate with the county to report damage following
a major disaster. This situation was discussed with the Director
of Sheriff's Communications. At that time it was pointed out
that the County Microwave System has the capacity to support a
microwave telephone system between the county and its
incorporated cities if the logistics and finances could be worked
out.
These issues were reported at the Disaster Council Meeting in
June, 1984, and it was directed at that time that a report be
prepared and submitted in September.
Following the September report by the Sheriff's Communications
Division, the Council directed that feedback be solicited from
each city regarding feasibility and applicability of such a
communications system.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: S YES SIGNATURE: le,X�
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) Lf/�
ACTION OF BOARD ON July 23, 1985 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT -Zff- ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS N THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: Cecil Williams, OES ATTESTED �9g�
County Administrator Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of
s Supervisors and County Administrator
Me82/7-8e BY DEPUTY
To: Board of Supervisors
Re: Emergency Communications Committee Status Report
In December, following the positive responses by most of the
cities in the county, the Disaster Council authorized the
establishment of an Emergency Communications Committee comprised
of representatives from the agencies and departments shown in the
attached report.
In early 1985 following the death of a West County resident, the
Board of Supervisors became concerned about the county's ability
to handle trauma cases and the necessary associated
communications capability.
On February 19, 1985, the Board, on request of Chairwoman N.C.
Fanden, referred to the Finance Committee for review the issue of
the communications system in the county. At the time Supervisor
Fanden experssed concern for improved communications to provide a
10 channel Med-Com communications system for
ambulance-to-hospital communications, noting that the existing
system has only one channel and problems occurred when more than
one incident happened at the same time.
The Finance Committee was informed at its meeting April 1, that
staff has had several exploratory meetings about the scope and
nature of the communications problem in the county, and about
possible resources and funding for remedial action. The Finance
Committee was advised of a number of facts relating to
communications in the county.
The committee was also advised that a discussion about
communications was held by the Disaster Council at its meeting on
March 27, 1985, and that the Council indicated a willingness to
activate the Emergency Communications Committee as approved in
its December meeting. The purpose of this committee is to
"evaluate existing emergency communications in Contra Costa
County and determine the most appropriate long-range plan for
correcting any deficiencies. The committee is also to recommend
a proposed countywide emergency communication master plan that
the Council can recommend to the Board of Supervisors and each
city.
V. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
This issue would be viewed as a low priority item for the Board
and further participation by cities and private industry
representatives possibly would cease.
CW:af
0092W
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
s DISASTER COUNCIL
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50 GLACIER DRIVE • Tel. (415) 228-5000
sr� c6UU, MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA 94553
TO: Cecil Williams, Secretary June 26, 1985
Contra Costa County Disaster Council
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FROM: Diane Longshore, Chair
Emergency Communicatio s Committee
SUBJECT: Emergency Communications Committee Status Report
BACKGROUND
The County Disaster Council Emergency Communications Committee was
directed by the Board of Supervisors in April of this year to evaluate
existing emergency communications in Contra Costa County and determine the
most appropriate short-term and long term plan for correcting any
.deficiencies. Additionally, this committee was asked to draft a
Countywide Communications Development Master Plan that could be
recommended to the Board of Supervisors and City Councils for
implementation.
This Status Report is submitted as an initial response to that portion of
the Board's request that deals with providing a report that precisely
identifies any deficiencies being experienced within the emergency
communications system now. Reports . addressing concrete solutions and
implementation schedules will follow in a timely manner (see attached
workplan).
SITUATION
Fifteen public and private jurisdictions that play a. part in some aspect
of emergency communications were asked to appoint representatives to serve
on the Emergency Communications Committee. . A membership list including
the 22 members, is attached for your information. Due to the limited time
available from first receiving its assignment, the committee has organized
and met on three occasions, with the first meeting addressing committee
orientation only.
DISCUSSION
The Committee's preliminary findings have been developed by discussing and
analyzing pertinent information provided by Sheriff's Communications,
County Public Works Department, Emergency Medical Services, Contra Costa
County Fire Chiefs Association, Police Chiefs' Association, RACES and the
Office of Emergency Services. As a result, we feel all areas of
communications (telephone, radio, data and microwave) have been addressed
from a perspective that considers all the various user needs.
To: CCC Disaster Council Page 2
Re: Emergency Communications Committee Status Report
(Continued)
The results of this evaluation are depicted by identifying
deficiencies in two basic categories—Technical Difficulties and Other
Communications Constraints.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES:
o The number of existing radio communication channels/frequencies
are not capable of providing consistent and uninterrupted service
to all users.
o New frequencies are currently difficult to obtain.
o The type of radios currently used by the County are not capable
of reaching all the channels assigned to the various County
jurisdictions. County channels that are on the same band are
not contiguous. For these reasons several radios are required to
utilize the existing communications system. The numbers and size
of the radios needed to be fully operational make it cumbersome
when placing them in the mobile units that use them.
o The existing location of the County's Dispatch Center (Comm 7 -
7th Floor) is unsuitable because it is susceptible to structural
damage and inaccessibility that would render their communications
inoperative in the event of a disaster.
o The level of "Site Hardening" (steps that can be taken to secure
and stabilize structures and equipment) is such that
communication facilities located within the County are highly
susceptible to earthquake damage.
o Transmissions are ineffective in the blind spots that exist in
the County due to the topography (hilly terrain).
o Interjurisdictional systems may not be compatible in some
instances throughout the county. Cities are not able to talk to
the CHP, Sheriff's Department or Fire. Many Contra Costa County
jurisdictions have limited and inadequate ability to communicate
with neighboring county jurisdictions.
.o Emergency Medical Services has only one channel to facilitate
communications between 10 paramedic units and 3 base hospitals as
well as all EMT Communications to all receiving hospitals. An
average of 36,000 calls are transmitted annually. An average of
10 incidents occur each month wherein the channel . is not
accessible when needed. County liability could, therefore, exist.
o Most of the existing County communications equipment has been in
place for 20 years and has experienced deferred maintenance
reducing its performance and dependability.
To: CCC Disaster Council Page 3
Re: Emergency Communications Committee Status Report
(Continued)
o Available training is inadequate to ensure that County
dispatchers continue to know the current techniques and
information necessary to perform their duties.
o Dispatcher staffing level is insufficient to meet County
communications demands. This situation further limits scheduling
dispatcher training that is available.
OTHER CONSTRAINTS
o Emergency communications requires an integrated system approach;
however, the needs and philosophies of each agency/jurisdiction
vary enough that a cooperative effort seems difficult to achieve.
o Public opposition is believed to exist regarding the
environmental aspects involved with communication systems; i.e.,
placement of towers.
o A general lack of money prevails when considering solutions; not
only in up front costs, but in training, test equipment and
maintenance expenses.
o Some local jurisdictions perceive that the county is not
interested in equitably financing with the cities to improve the
system.
o The County's Emergency Broadcasting System is provided through
Alameda and San Francisco Counties and not currently located in
Contra Costa County.
CONCLUSION
Certain departmental emergency communication deficiencies exist such as
that experienced on an operational basis by EMS. Additionally, certain
common emergency communication deficiencies occur intermittently affecting
all users; such as the inability of one county department to talk to
another easily. All committee members agree the foregoing problems do
exist. However, consensus as to the priority and seriousness of the
deficiencies identified has not yet been achieved. More time is needed to
fully evaluate the noted problems and determine if additional ones exist.
To that end, the committee is currently involved in developing a workplan
1) to define the criteria for prioritizing the current problems
2) to develop immediate concrete solutions for the most critical
deficiencies
3) to identify all resources needed to develop a master plan.
To: CCC Disaster Council Page 4
Re: Emergency Communications Committee Status Report
(Continued)
RECOMMENDATIONS
1 - It is recommended that the Board authorize the committee to:
a. Continue defining communications deficiencies.
b. Suggest achievable solutions including funding
methods.
c. Provide its next Status Report by the end of
September, 1985.
2 - It is recommended that the Board continue to support Emergency Medical
Services endeavors to obtain a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety
to install the MEDCOM System.
CW:LH:af
Attachments: Membership List
Workplan .
0182A
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE Phone No.
1 - West County John Cadigan 644-7939
2 - Central County Diane Longshore 682-6343
3 - East County Frank Stone 778-4531
4 - Chair, Board of Supervisors Diana Patrick 372-2080/284-4733
5 - Sheriff's Office Sheriff Rainey 372-2216
6 - OES Cecil Williams 228-5000
7 - Police Chiefs Assn. Russell Quinn 724-2677
8 - Fire Chiefs Assn. Al Nielson 930-5500
9 - County Public Works Dept. Willard Wehe 372-2911
10- Health Services Dept./EMS Dr. Wm. Walker/Barbara Center 372-4690
11- California Highway Patrol Ron Oliver 372-080
12- American Telephone & Telegraph-Gerry Manley 452-7084
13- Major Radio Station KKIS Chip Morgan 682-2832
14- Viacom Television Mary Hansen 432-0500
15- Televents Heather Wood 228-5863
16- Channel 42 Bob McAvoy 676-8969
17- Concord Cable Television John Christopher 827-0288
18- UA Cablesystems of CA. Bryan Wade 933-1212
19- RACES Dwayne Eskridge 932-3971
20- County Public Works Sarah Hoffman 372-2628
21- Communications Captain John Hart 372-4463
22- Police Chief Pinole Chief Theodore Barnes 724-8950
00low
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