Fire Station Alerting System Procurement Process to Begin

DATE: March 15, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Bayag, Acting Director
Office of Regional Communications and Technology
PHONE: 954-357-8565
EMAIL: bbayag@broward.org

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - More positive steps are being taken by the County to improve the aging Public Safety Radio System. During today's meeting, the County Commission unanimously approved authorizing a Request for Proposals for a new, regional Fire Station Alerting System (FSAS). The current equipment being used to provide fire department dispatching services to 106 fire stations from the three dispatching centers across the County is at end of life, as is the equipment being used in the individual fire stations. The new system is necessary to enhance dispatch and fire station functions and support current and future fire department alerting needs.

In previous 2016 meetings, the Board has approved:

January 26th - The Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF) Region 7 700 MHz Overlay System, which will strengthen back-up capability in the event that the primary system becomes impaired or overloaded.
February 9th - Pre-qualifying vendors interested in submitting proposals on a project to replace the public safety radio system (Project 25 Public Safety Radio System). This was the first step in the process. Step two will be a request for proposals from qualified vendors on the estimated $45 million project.

March 8th - Authorizing staff to begin negotiations with Motorola to install a single site 700 MHz Overlay System (Broward County Project 25 - 700MHz Interoperable Overlay System). Negotations successfully ended on 3/11/2016 and installation of the system will soon be on the way.
March 8th - Beginning the procurement process to replace the existing Alphanumeric Paging System (APS) which is no longer supported by the equipment manufacturer. The APS will directly interface with the County's three regional public safety call centers.

All of these projects will not only enhance the County's Public Safety Radio System, but will also improve the County's Regional Consolidated E911 Dispatch System and regional public safety interoperability.

For more information on regional communications projects, please visit the Office of Regional Communications and Technology website.

About Regional Communications and Technology
The Office of Regional Communications and Technology (ORCAT) manages, administers and provides oversight of the countywide consolidated E911 communication system. Responsibilities include the design, implementation and maintenance of the public safety infrastructure used to respond to E911 calls on a 24/7 basis, thereby enabling rapid emergency response to 911 callers for lifesaving assistance in Broward County. The Regional Consolidated E911 Dispatch System is overseen by ORCAT and operated by the Broward Sheriff's Office via a Performance Based Contract with the County Commission. For more information, visit our website.