March 27, 1998

  To:Budget Committee

 From:City Clerk

 Subject:Transitional Project - Radio Communication System

  The Emergency and Protective Services Committee on March 24, 1998 had before it a report (March 24, 1998) from the Fire Chief recommending that:

 (1)transitional funding in the amount of $26 million be approved for a radio communications system; and

 (2)the City of Toronto Fire Services proceed with the implementation of a fully integrated 800 MHZ radio communications system.

 The Committee referred the foregoing report to the Budget Committee for consideration during the budget process.

City Clerk

 Attachment

 c.Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Fire Chief

(Report dated March 24, 1998, addressed to the

Emergency and Protective Services Committee from the Fire Chief)

 Purpose:

 The Fire Services, ultimately must implement an integrated 800 MHZ radio communications system that facilitates seamless operations for coordinated response to emergency incidents across the City of Toronto.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 One-time transitional funding is requested. The estimated costs are $1.5 million for the consultants and $19.5 million for infrastructure, equipment and support services.

 Since the original budget submission, a further $5 million has been identified as required for additional in building radio coverage to cover the cost of radio receiver sites and mobile repeaters, and fire station alerting once the engineering design is determined.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that transitional funding in the amount of $26 million be approved, and it is further recommended that the City of Toronto Fire Services proceed with the implementation of a fully integrated 800 MHZ radio communications system

 Council Reference/Background/History:

 This project was originally submitted January 8th, in the 1998 Fire Services Capital Budget, and then re-submitted February 18th, when the Transition Projects were removed from the Capital Program.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 The Fire Departments presently have an existing investment of $7.7 million in 800 MHZ radio communications equipment. York and Toronto were in the process of upgrading from VHF and UHF to 800 MHZ prior to amalgamation, but the projects were postponed. Radio coverage areas for the 800 MHZ systems were designed to operate within the previous municipal boundaries only. The integration must establish consistent coverage and a standard technology platform for the Fire Service throughout the City of Toronto.

 Estimated costs of $21 Million for infrastructure, equipment and support services is included in transition capital costs for the Fire Services. There is also a need to include sufficient funding for engineering, therefore, a further $5 Million is required for additional in-building radio coverage for the cost of radio receiver sites and mobile repeaters, and fire station alerting once the engineering design is determined.

 The Emergency and Protective Services Strategy Team recommended a Peer Review beginning in November, 1997. With a number of radio communications systems initiatives pending, a Peer Review was undertaken to determine the common and specialized requirements of the three Emergency Services. A number of situations have been identified for possible technical integration, cost savings and economies of scale. To date, the Fire Service has not finalized a system design and subsequent level of integration.

 Conclusions:

 It is anticipated that the new Radio Communications System will be in operation within eighteen months from the date of Council approval.

 Contact Name:

 Tom Powell, Deputy Chief - Administration and Communications

397-4306