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East Bay Regional Communications System (EBRCS) 2 April ]2,2007 BACKGROUND The Bay Area is no stranger to disasters, and the need for a coordinated communications system is the key to the successful response and mitigation of any type of disaster that could impact the bay region. We have seen firsthand the total breakdown that can occur when communications systems fail as evidenced through our most recent experiences with the September 11 th and Hurricane Katrina disasters. The counties of Alameda and Contra Costa face the same challenges as other metropolitan areas with communications systems that have developed over time utilizing different spectrum and proprietary technologies. The incompatibility of these systems makes seamless communications extremely difficult and in many cases not possible without incorporating technology patches that are extremely inefficient and complicated to set up and operate. The situation is compounded by the fact that most of the systems in use today are nearing the end of the useful lives and need replacing. The two counties have been working together over the last 3 years as part of the federally sponsored Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) to establish priorities for homeland security funding. Through the assistance of the federally funded Urban Area Security Initiative (USAI), a group of technical advisors from the Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP) worked to evaluate the status of our communications systems and develop different alternatives to achieve the goal of interoperability for the two counties. It is clear from the work ICT AP completed that the most cost effective and technically superior solution for both counties is to construct a shared two county regional communications system. Interoperability and funding the build out of a two county communications system has become the highest priority for the UASI. Committees with representatives from both counties have been working over the last two years to develop the technical parameters for the system, establish a governance model, and obtain political support from the jurisdictions within the two counties. Current Communications System Currently the radio system utilized in San Leandro is an 800 MHz trunked system owned by Alameda County and used by Alameda County and the cities of Alameda, Dublin, San Leandro, Fremont, Newark and Union City. The existing radio systems used by other jurisdictions throughout Alameda County are fragmented. While some agencies utilize the 800 MHz system, others use VHFIUHF systems and Low Band systems. All systems in use are nearing the end of their useful lives. Replacement of these autonomous systems is not cost effective and will not provide interoperability between jurisdictions and responding agencies. In 2006, it was deternlined that the City of San Leandro had 378 radios utilized by police and other city departments.