HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0033) M&C 20-0609City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 09/01/20 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 20-0609
LOG NAME: 04NEWARK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AGREE
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize Execution of a Communications System Agreement with Newark Volunteer Fire Department for Participation in the City of Fort
Worth's Public Safety Radio System for Interoperable Communications in Mutual Aid or Other Multi -Agency Operations at No Cost to the City of
Fort Worth
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the execution of a Communications System Agreement with Newark Volunteer Fire Department
for participation in the City of Fort Worth's Public Safety Radio System for interoperable communications in situations involving mutual aid or other
multi -agency operations at no cost to the City of Fort Worth.
DISCUSSION:
The implementation of the Fort Worth Public Safety Radio System included the development of a comprehensive interoperable communications
plan for first responders from multiple agencies. Participation in the plan is open not only to agencies that use the Fort Worth Regional Radio
System as their primary communications system, but also to other mutual aid partners, such as Newark Volunteer Fire Department, who own and
maintain their own radio systems for their daily operations but require the ability to communicate with other agencies in mutual aid situations or
other multi -agency operations.
The plan provides a common group of communications channels that first responders in Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Denton, Parker and Ellis
counties may access when multiple agencies respond to a single incident. These channels are used only for communications with other agencies
during joint operations. They are not used for an agency's day-to-day operations. These channels are accessible to the users of any radio system
connected to the Fort Worth Regional Radio System. More than 150 agencies are able to communicate with one another via these common
channels.
In August 2020, Newark Volunteer Fire Department approved a Communications System Agreement with the City of Fort Worth to operate on the
interoperable communications channels when required for mutual aid operations only. Newark Volunteer Fire Department will not utilize the Fort
Worth Regional Radio System for daily operations, but only when required to communicate with public safety agencies in Fort Worth or other
agencies using the Fort Worth Regional Radio System during joint operations at no cost to the City of Fort Worth.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education:
Newark
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that approval of this recommendation will have no material effect on City funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office by. Valerie Washington 6192
Originating Business Unit Head: Kevin Gunn 2015
Additional Information Contact: Kevin Gunn 2015