CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH, FLORIDA

MEMORANDUM

DATE:             December 17, 2008

TO:                  D. Mike Good, City Manager

FROM:            Daniel P. Sullivan, Fire Chief

SUBJECT:     Consideration of a Regional Interlocal Agreement between Broward County Sheriff’s Office Communication Technology Division and Hallandale Beach

PURPOSE

The City Commission consider approving the Interlocal Agreement and authorizing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City.

BACKGROUND

The City of Hallandale Beach Department of Fire Rescue currently receives all caller intake (Enhanced 911) services and emergency dispatch services through the Broward County Sheriff’s Central Communications Dispatch Center (CDCI).  Hallandale Beach has partnered with CDCI since 1992, when an initiative took place to consolidate communications as part of an interagency cost saving regional plan.  All costs related to CDCI are currently absorbed through Countywide Ad Valorem taxes.

Requiring Broward County to provide emergency communication infrastructure which would enhance closest unit response capabilities to all municipalities resulted from the 2002 County Charter Review Board.  County staff proceeded to fund capital infrastructure to municipalities providing their own E911 and dispatch services, provided they allowed for interoperability with county communications.

Approximately two years ago, Fire Staff entered into negotiations with the current Director of Communications at the Broward Sheriff’s Office to expand and enhance the closest unit response initiative.  The agreement is the result of negotiations among six cities receiving dispatch services from CDCI (Lauderhill, Tamarac, Davie, Lighthouse Point, North Lauderdale and Hallandale Beach) and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

DISCUSSION

In summary, this agreement implements current technology, allows for dispatch to identify the exact location of Fire Rescue Vehicles utilizing Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology, as opposed to identifying the closest available vehicle according to their assigned fire station.  By installing Mobile Data Terminals in each frontline emergency vehicle with GPS locators and mapping software, all vehicles will be able to respond to emergencies more quickly.  All costs will be absorbed by Broward County.

Hallandale Beach will be responsible for providing accessibility to our vehicles, and for purchasing “air cards,” which will allow all communications to transfer wirelessly.  The total annual cost for “air card” service will be approximately $5,000 but will be offset by the elimination of a cable connection charge of $6,000 which was previously paid but is now eliminated via connectivity consolidation.

The Interlocal Agreement was approved by the Broward County Commission on October 14, 2008.

RECOMMENDATION

The City Commission authorize the City Manager to execute the Interlocal Agreement and other associated documents in the best interest of the City.

Reviewed:

__________________________________                            _______________

D. Mike Good, City Manager                                                              Date

________ Approved               ________ Denied        ________ Hold for Discussion

COMMENTS:  

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