Subject:
Title
Award acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2022 Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Technology and Equipment Program funding.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval for the grant administrator to electronically accept the grant award in the amount of $1.75M.
• Award letter received through JustGrants system on September 30, 2022;
• County required to accept award within 45 days of receipt (deadline is 11/14/2022);
• Funding will be utilized for the Pinellas County Consolidated Computer Aided Dispatch system and associated expenditures.
• The Board of County Commissioners Chairman agreed to the terms and conditions of the award at the application stage in June of 2022 (Legistar file # 22-0680D).
• No match required.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to create and enhance a safe, secure, and healthy community
Deliver First-Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
Pinellas County desires to implement a new computer-aided dispatch system to ensure the dispatch of an appropriate emergency response to telephone calls placed to 911. Many of the computer-aided dispatch and record management systems currently in use throughout Pinellas County have reached or are rapidly approaching the end of their useful life. The replacement of the existing independent computer-aided dispatch and records management systems with advanced technology adhering to national data standards is a crucial priority to all Emergency First Responder Agencies in recognizing that immediate response of first responders is an essential component of effective public safety, and those seconds matter in response to a call for help involving an active and imminent threat to life or great bodily harm. Benefits of a shared common computer-aided dispatch system includes increasing efficiency in workflow, reducing repetition of data entry, and saving time in an emergency, which could save lives. Additional benefits of shared data through a common records management system include increasing the efficiency of solving crimes, identifying trends in criminal activity, and forecasting workforce staffing levels for law enforcement.
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Background Information:
Pinellas County operates the County's Primary 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and is responsible for 911 call-taking and dispatch for all Pinellas County fire departments and emergency medical service (EMS) first responders throughout Pinellas County, Florida, from the PRIMARY PSAP. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) provides primary law enforcement dispatch service for unincorporated Pinellas County and nineteen of Pinellas County's twenty-four cities; and each of the Parties are Public Agencies authorized to provide law enforcement dispatch emergency response services within its respective jurisdiction. The City of St. Petersburg, City of Clearwater, City of Largo, City of Pinellas Park, and City of Tarpon Springs provide the primary law enforcement dispatch service for their respective jurisdictions, and each operates a Secondary PSAP. The goal is to integrate the various information systems used by emergency response agencies throughout Pinellas County, Florida through advanced integrated technology and standardized reporting methods. The DOJ funding was earmarked for Pinellas County in the Federal FY22 Budget.
Fiscal Impact:
Revenue in the amount of $1.75M will impact the FY23 budget. This revenue was not anticipated during the County’s FY23 Budget development cycle and therefore not included in the FY23 Adopted Budget. A budget resolution will be submitted to recognize receipt of the revenue and amend the FY23 Budget. A portion of project revenue and expenditures will cross into FY24 and be included in the next budget development cycle.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the BCC Chair to approve this item is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
James Fogarty, Bureau Director, Safety & Emergency Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
City of St. Petersburg
City of Clearwater
Attachments:
Award Letter and Details
COPS Award Terms and Conditions
Award Acceptance
Intent-to-Apply-Approval-OMB