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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0154) M&C 21-0421City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 06/22/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0421 LOG NAME: 04TEXAS HEALTH RESOURCES AZLE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AGREEMENT SUBJECT (ALL) Authorize Execution of a Communications System Agreement with the Texas Health Resources Azle 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 the Texas Health Resources Azle 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 City of Fort Worth operates a public safety radio system called the North Texas Interoperable Radio Network (NTIRN). The implementation of the 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 NTIRN as their primary communications system, but also to other mutual aid partners, such as the Texas Health Resources Azle (THR-Azle), 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 NTIRN. More than 160 agencies are able to communicate with one another via these common channels. In May 2021, THR-Azle 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. THR-Azle will not utilize NTIRN for daily operations, but only when required to communicate with public safety agencies in Fort Worth or other agencies using NTIRN during joint operations. 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 Donlen Ruffin 2017 Expedited