HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0041) M&C 21-0883City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 11/30/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0883
LOG NAME: 04TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMM SYS AGREEMENT
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize Execution of a Communications System Agreement with the Texas Department of Emergency Management 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 Department of Emergency
Management 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 Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), 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, Ellis, Denton, and Parker
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 170 agencies are able to communicate with one another via these common channels.
In August 2021, TDEM 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.
The TDEM 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.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Texas
Department of Emergency Managment
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 bT. Valerie Washington 6192
Originating Business Unit Head: Kevin Gunn 2015
Additional Information Contact: Kevin Gunn 2015
Donlen Ruffin 2017