Item 4: Ratification of IGR Committee Actions

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ATTACHMENT E Memo to IGR Committee Grant Funding – 2007 COPS Technology Program June 15, 2007 Page 3 and the national emphasis on interoperable communications between emergency service disciplines to the first-responder level. HISTORY: To begin to solve communications problems for law enforcement and other first responders, in 1998, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office began working with Oregon State Police to develop an ambitious, phased Regional Wireless Communications and Interoperability Plan (updated in 2005). This plan, when fully implemented, will result in a microwave backbone throughout the county to ensure all areas – urban and rural – are able to communicate regardless of geographic barriers or challenges. Over the years, LCSO has engaged Oregon Department of Transportation, US Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) in this effort. They have pieced together funding to begin the first rural phases of the plan, beginning to add microwave towers on strategic peaks throughout the County. In 2003, LCSO was awarded a $68,000 FEMA Emergency Operations Plan grant and contributed an additional $41,000 to develop an Emergency Communications Plan depicting the most cost effective way to enhance radio communications countywide for 42 potential user agencies representing over 750 users. LCSO contributed $160,000 for an engineering survey and site acquisition contracts for microwave connections to LCSO Headquarters, EWEB Headquarters, Bear Mountain, and Mt. Hagen. Bear Mountain serves as the hub for connecting to state and federal systems. With leadership from Congressman Peter DeFazio, additional funding for some of the more rural pieces was provided in the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill. This “7-County Project” also provides a Motorola Master Site controller, allowing disparate radio systems to operate together seamlessly. In 2005, the Eugene Police Department was awarded a COPS Interoperable Communications grant to develop a trunked, simulcast UHF P25 compatible system in the Metro area, with a separate P25 trunked site on each of Mount Hagan and Bear Mountain; link Central Lane PSAP, LCSO dispatch and Springfield Police dispatch centers to provide for hot backup capabilities; develop a regional radio governance structure and committee; and complete a Lane County regional interoperability communications plan. This system is shared by the Eugene and Springfield Police Departments, LCSO, and the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB.) with each agency contributing additional funding, as well as using a Department of Homeland Security grant obtained by the Eugene Police Department.