BACKGROUND:

Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security praised the San Diego-Imperial County region for their communication interoperability and the ability of the regional emergency agencies to communicate during disasters. While this regional communications network is considered one of the best in the nation, current technology used to support the system is nearing the end of its product life and relevance.  Although current technology allows for multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency communication, the “patch-through” and “work-around” method often required to achieve interoperable communication throughout the region is both cumbersome and becoming outdated.  In addition, vendor support of the County’s current 800

MHz system will end in approximately five years, making support for current infrastructure increasingly difficult to maintain.  Because the City will be facing similar technological challenges within the next few years, this is an opportune time for county and city agencies to pursue the common goal of improving public safety through investment in a truly seamless regional public safety communications system with the capacity to support future growth.

As Chairman of the Board of Supervisors this year, I have made the creation of such a communications system one of my highest priorities.  During my State of the County Address, I was pleased to announce that Mayor Jerry Sanders and I have agreed to work together to bring all of our region’s agencies under one system.  This memorandum of understanding between the County and the City will allow us to establish a framework to make this happen.

It is recognized that the County and City share the forward-thinking vision of achieving the convergence of all radio systems to digital, open standards technology that will allow for the highest degree of equipment interoperability and compatibility for all regional agencies.  Further, the County and City share the vision to provide a secure, dedicated wireless data communication network for emergency responders within and outside the San Diego region to share data in order to successfully manage critical public safety incidents. 

Today’s action will provide a shared goal and formalize the spirit of cooperation through the memorandum of understanding between the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego to migrate towards a truly interoperable and seamless Regional Public Safety Communications System.

I urge your support!

Respectfully submitted,

RON ROBERTS

Chairman

Supervisor, Fourth District