The Department of Homeland Security was contacted upon grant approval for technical assistance with developing an interoperable communication system for the Urban Area. A group of consultants was sent as part of the federal Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (IC TAP). The consultants have been working with three separate groups to develop this objective: The Technical Advisory Committee, the Operational Action Team, and the Governance Group. Please click on the links for status of each group.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Chairs from the Technical Advisory Committee, the Operational Action Team and the Governance Group have recommended that the UASI funds be spent on the equipment for a digital microwave backbone. A nominal amount of the UASI grant will be used to provide the supplies needed to support the Operational Action Team’s exercise.

The Alameda County Operational Area has offered funds from the FY 04 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) to cover the cost to design the microwave system.

SPENDING PLAN:

APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005 WITH THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:

• The Scope of Work for the project manager and engineer will be developed by the Technical Advisory Committee and require approval by the Executive Board.
• The Governance Group is authorized to research models for a Joint Power Agreement; determine the stakeholders and contact the professional associations for support, and examine various formulas for sustainability of funding.