Action 8.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Emergency Services
- Meeting Date:
- 06/12/2018
- Title:
- CARA Radio Tower License Agreement
- Submitted By:
- Norm Sturm, Emergency Services
- Department:
- Emergency Services
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
2
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Norm Sturm
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Emergency Services Coordinator
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve agreement between Cochise County and the Cochise Amateur Radio Association (CARA) to place communications equipment on radio towers on Mule Mountain, Bernardino Peak, and Dos Cabezas, effective for one year with automatic annual renewals for up to 10 years.
Background:
For many years Cochise County Amateur Radio Association (CARA) has had radio repeaters on several County radio tower sites including Mule Mountain, Bernardino Peak, and Dos Cabazas. Repeaters are necessary on these sites to support amateur radio transmissions throughout Cochise County and Southeast Arizona. CARA as an organization has a long history of supporting public safety communications throughout Cochise County. This communications support includes emergency management operations, Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, community special events, and county-wide exercises. Amateur radio is also considered a backup communications system during large-scale emergencies or disasters. This agreement codifies the long-standing "handshake" agreements to provide amateur radio essential space on public safety radio towers to provide reliable radio signal coverage.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
If approved copies of the agreement will be distributed to appropriate agencies and organizations. Radio equipment will remain in service according to the terms of the agreement.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
If the agreement is not approved, radio equipment will remain in place according to ongoing verbal agreements. However, the risk continues as time goes on and County staff changes, that the intent of the verbal, mutually beneficial, cooperation agreement between CARA and the County could be lost.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
An original signed copy of the agreement will be needed by the Emergency Services Coordinator for office files and distribution of copies of the agreement to CARA and appropriate County departments.