To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Multi-Agency Consolidated Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Feasibility Study and Approval of Appropriation Transfer (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Sheriff, or a designee thereof, to enter into negotiations with Mission Critical Partners, LLC regarding professional services to conduct a feasibility study of a multi- agency consolidated Emergency Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center within the County of Humboldt;
2. Authorize the Sheriff, or a designee thereof, to enter into negotiations with the one remaining alternate firm if negotiations with Mission Critical Partners, LLC are unsuccessful;
3. Direct the Sheriff’s Office staff to return to the Board once negotiations are completed requesting authorization to enter into a negotiated contract for professional services relating to the feasibility study of a multi- agency consolidated Emergency Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center within the County of Humboldt; and
4. Approve an appropriation transfer in the Sheriff’s Measure Z budget 297 from Salary and Benefits to Professional Services in the amount of $40,973 (Attachment 2) (4/5 vote required).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Measure Z
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) desires to conduct a study into the feasibility of consolidating all Humboldt County Emergency Communications Dispatch Centers and the county’s disaster response Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Currently, there are four Emergency Communications Dispatch Centers in Humboldt County. The four dispatch centers are being operated by the Eureka Police Department, Arcata Police Department, Fortuna Police Department and HCSO. Together, they provide services to HCSO, five police departments, nine fire departments, three Tribal Police departments, two contract cities, Humboldt County Probation Department, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, two Animal Control Services Divisions and ancillary services to the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S Forest Service. Each dispatch center coordinates emergency medical services for their respective areas of responsibility.
Consolidating dispatch centers and the EOC would include:
• Standardizing equipment and procedures.
• Bringing all first responders into a common radio and data communication system.
• Creating a plan for meeting the continuously growing needs of the public safety industry within Humboldt County.
Future benefits of a potential consolidation include:
• Enhanced safety of first responders and the public.
• Expanding cost-effective benefits to employees and public agencies.
The current location and space of the county EOC presents many challenges for the efficient coordination of personnel in times of emergency. The preservation of life and property is a shared responsibility of local, state and federal governments. During major disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, coordination between county and municipal stakeholders is vital to providing life-saving services to the citizens of Humboldt County. Co-locating the EOC with a consolidated dispatch center would improve communication and coordination with vital public safety resources. A facility large enough to accomplish the co-location would be critical for its success.
On May 15, 2018, HCSO published a Request for Proposal (RFP) to advertise and distribute a request for professional services pertaining to a multi-agency consolidated Emergency Communications/Emergency Operations Center feasibility study (Attachment 1). The RFP was advertised in accordance with the county RFP policies and two proposals were received. An evaluation team, consisting of; the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Captain, Extra-Help Captain, and the Emergency Communications Supervisor reviewed and scored both proposals based on the criteria set forth in the RFP. The evaluation team agrees that the most suitable firm to conduct the study is Mission Critical Partners, LLC.
HCSO staff recommends that your Board authorize the Sheriff, or a designee thereof, to enter into negotiations of a professional services agreement with Mission Critical Partners LLC for the desired services. Should staff be unable to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with Mission Critical Partners, LLC, staff requests that your Board authorize the Sheriff, or a designee thereof, to enter into negotiations with the remaining alternate firm.
Upon completion of negotiations with the selected firm, staff will return to the Board requesting approval of the professional services agreement and scope of work for a multi-agency consolidated
Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Center feasibility study.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Sheriff’s Measure Z budget 297 includes $50,000 in 2118 - Professional Services designated for this feasibility study. The proposal from Mission Critical Partners, LLC is $90,973.
HCSO was allocated $4,195,754 of Measure Z funding in Fiscal Year 2018-19 for the purpose of paying salaries and benefits for 40 law enforcement positions. HCSO has identified at least $200,000 in salary savings due to vacant positions. HCSO is requesting approval of an appropriation transfer from Salary and Benefits to Professional Services to cover the additional $40,973 needed to conduct the study (Attachment 2).
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by managing our resources to ensure sustainability of services and creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Arcata Police Department
Eureka Police Department
Fortuna Police Department
Humboldt County Information Technology Department
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to enter into negotiations regarding a multi-agency consolidated Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Center feasibility study and instruct HCSO to not move forward with evaluating possible consolidation. This alternative is not recommended as it prevents the county from the benefits of consolidation as outlined in the discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - RFP #18-200-SHRF
Attachment 2 - Measure Z Request for Budget Transfer
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A