Subject:
Title
Application to receive E911 trust fund monies from the State of Florida for Additional Modules for RapidSOS.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the application certifying that monies received from the State of Florida will be used to purchase and implement specific modules to enhance the usage of the current RapidSOS software.
• Regional 911 currently uses free features within the RapidSOS software suite to provide enhanced location services along with other secondary features.
• The additional modules will contribute to improved and more resilient mapping, real-time text transcription of voice 911 calls along with keyword identification, real-time translation of voice and text 911 calls, and enhanced analytics that will contribute to participating in a regional analytics project to further interoperability and multijurisdictional response.
• State E911 grant funds exist to assist in funding these costs.
• For all modules except the analytics module, first-year costs are eligible. For the analytics module, because it contributes to a regional project, five years of costs are eligible.
• The State of Florida requires an application to be submitted no later than June 14, 2025. A deadline extension has been requested to allow for the Board of County Commissioner’s meeting schedule.
Recommended Action
Body
Strategic Plan:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 improve Public Health
2.2 Enhance Community Safety
Summary:
The State Grant Program is provided to assist Florida counties with the provision of enhanced 911 systems including the purchase of software and hardware to enhance the ability to provide services. The E911 Board assists eligible counties through the E911 State Grant Program using E911 trust fund monies.
The application requires approval and signature from the Board of County Commissioners.
Background/Explanation:
The Pinellas County Regional 911 Center acts as the steward of all 911 Fee funding for Pinellas County including the four secondary PSAPs.
Grant monies received will be used for procurement, project management, installation, and testing of three additional modules implemented within the RapidSOS software currently used. The additional modules will ensure that the highest level of services are provided enhancing citizen and responder safety.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant funds of $295,590.83 shall be provided on a cost reimbursement basis if the application is approved by the State of Florida E911 Board. No matching funds are associated with this grant. This grant was not anticipated during the development of the FY24 Adopted Budget. Therefore, if approved, a budget resolution would be required to recognize and appropriate the funds into the Emergency Communications E911 System Fund.
Staff Member Responsible:
Judith Weshinskey-Price, Director, Regional 911 Division
James Fogarty, Bureau Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
State of Florida, E911 Board
Attachments:
Application for the E911 State Grant Program
OMB Approval of E911 Grant Application