REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 2019
FROM: KERRI L. DONIS, Fire Chief
Fresno Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to cellular and FirstNet connectivity:
1. Approve an agreement with AT&T to provide the Fresno Fire Department with cellular and FirstNet connectivity through mobile devices for a five year period, in the amount of $131,513
2. Approve a service agreement with AT&T, in the amount of $458,200
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council approve a five year, equipment lease purchase in the amount of $131, 513 and a servicing agreement with AT&T Corporation in the amount of $71,800 In year one and approximating $96,600 each year thereafter.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Fire Department uses cellular connectivity embedded in mobile data terminals (MDTs) to communicate incident information, status information and track GPS locations with the Fresno County EMS dispatch center. The department currently uses Verizon Wireless for all MDT connectivity. However, starting January 1, 2020, Verizon will discontinue its 3G connectivity, which will render our existing MDT's inoperable. Rather than incur a costly replacement of MDT's (replacement cost is approximately $5,000 per unit), the department can utilize a new technology offered by AT&Ts FirstNet and Cradle-Point systems.
BACKGROUND
Fire utilizes Mobile Data Terminals (MDT's) in each of the 80 vehicles in the apparatus fleet. Each MDT requires a cellular data plan in order to communicate information with the Fresno County EMS Dispatch center. Further, the department must maintain a reserve cache of MDT's to account for repairs and attrition. Each of the reserve MDT's requires a data plan, even while not in use. These devices currently operate under Verizon Wireless 3G connectivity. This connectivity offered by Verizon will go away in January, 2020.
AT&T, with Cradle-Point and FirstNet technology has offered a lease purchase option to Fresno Fire. Cradle-...
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