The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on behalf of Clackamas 800 Radio Group (C800) referred a Capital Construction Bond Measure to replace the countywide emergency radio communications system to the voters in the May 2016 election. The measure received a 71% approval.
PROJECT SUMMARY: To create an efficient, dependable public safety radio communications system that works in all parts of Clackamas County!
When the public calls 9-1-1 for help, Clackamas County’s emergency communications dispatchers utilize the C800 radio system to dispatch all fire/rescue, law enforcement, and ambulance providers countywide. Although the current system built in 2000 has worked for decades, manufacturers no longer make key parts and the communications towers are not designed to withstand the earthquakes predicted for Oregon.
The project includes:
- Converting the emergency radio system to current digital technology;
- Expand coverage to county areas that currently have none by adding 6 communication sites;
- Improve in-building coverage, so radios can function within hospitals, schools, and other large structures by adding 7 communication sites;
- Improve reliability during major disasters in part by improving 13 existing communication sites;
- Replace approximately 1000 analog radios countywide; and
The Partnership:
Clackamas 800 Radio Group partnered with Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA) for the development of the existing system 20 years ago, and now the new system. This has been a very successful partnership producing economies of scale, operating efficiencies, and an excellent level of service for both counties public safety providers, residents, and businesses.
The City of Newberg has joined the partnership – WCCCA / C800 / City of Newberg or WCN.
What’s happened since the May 2016 voter approval:
- Preliminary system design continued
- Site acquisition efforts were commenced with four of the new sites leased / two BLM and four USFS sites under consideration through the Federal Government land use process / two sites under discussion with the City of Lake Oswego / one site with lease negotiations being finalized.
- The bonds to provide funding were sold in December of 2016
- A citizen oversight advisory committee has been established and meets quarterly
- Site designs completed for four sites three of which have been permitted for construction and one in the process
- Communications buildings for the 13 new sites have been competitively bid and awarded.
- Communications towers for the 13 new sites have been competitively bid and awarded.
- Contract for the design and upgrades to the 13 existing sites has been competitively advertised and awarded
- Contract for the construction of four of the new sites has been competitively advertised and awarded
- A Request for Qualifications for the radio equipment has been developed / issued and responded to / and a vendor determined – that being Motorola Solutions, Inc
- A contract for the radio equipment was negotiated with Motorola Solutions and approved in September.
- Motorola Solutions, per their commitment, has demonstrated to the C800 Board that the pricing received was equal to or better than that provided to adjacent jurisdictions including: City of Portland / CRESA / City of Salem.