HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0078) M&C 21-0940City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 12/14/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0940
LOG NAME: 04TEXAS OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL COMM SYSTEM AGREEMENT
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize Execution of a Communications System Agreement with the Texas Office of the Inspector General 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 Office of the Inspector
General 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.
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 Office of the Inspector General, 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 170 agencies are able to communicate with one another via these common channels.
In October 2021, the Texas Office of the Inspector General 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 Texas Office of the Inspector General 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
Office of the Inspector General
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