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Findings and Recommendations 22 findings
F1
The emergency communications system in the County consists of multiple layers. a. Mobile radios (both handheld and in-vehicle) are used for local communications and access to the repeater system. b. Repeaters relay radio communications past geographic barriers, such as ridgelines. c. Microwave system is a high frequency communications system that relays communications between the various repeaters, and provides control of individual repeaters.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F2
The county communication vaults are located at Sanel Mtn., Spanish Mtn., San Hedrin Mtn., Cahto Peak, and the Point Arena Air Force Base. In at least one case, i.e. San Hedrin Mtn., the vault is inaccessible from early winter through late spring.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
the defective and deteriorating communication vaults be repaired or replaced. (Findings 2-4)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F3
Each communication vault contains both the repeaters and microwave equipment for each installation site. These vaults are wood frame buildings, shipping containers, or concrete block houses.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
the defective and deteriorating communication vaults be repaired or replaced. (Findings 2-4)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F4
Most of the vaults are old and have significant structural problems resulting in leaks. Some wood frame vaults are in areas which experience large amounts of snow fall and high winds.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
the defective and deteriorating communication vaults be repaired or replaced. (Findings 2-4)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F5
The microwave equipment is obsolete and in imminent danger of permanent failure. When the system is functioning it introduces “noise” into the entire communications system. Backup equipment is not available. Replacement parts are difficult to acquire. The county’s service provider has at times had to resort to purchasing used parts through Ebay, and cannibalizing existing equipment.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
the County actively pursue replacement of the microwave system with the urgency it deserves. (Findings 1c, 3-5, 7b-c, 14-18)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F6
Inside the city limits of Ukiah and Willits, 911 calls are dispatched by those municipality’s dispatch centers. Dispatch for Fort Bragg and Point Arena are handled by contract with the Sheriff’s office.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F7
Calls to 911 outside the city limits of Ukiah and Willits are routed to the Sheriff’s dispatch center in Ukiah. a. Fire and Emergency Medical Service calls are automatically routed to the Howard Forest Station, California Department of Forestry (CDF), a.k.a. CalFire, dispatch center at Ridgewood Summit. b. The CDF radio communications are relayed by telephone land-line to Willits, where they are automatically transferred into the microwave system. c. Dispatch radio communications are then relayed by microwave from Willits to San Hedrin, and from there to Spanish Mtn., a.k.a. Cleland Mtn., where they enter the county fire repeater system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F8
Calls to 911 from cell phones are routed to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) who then transfers them to the appropriate agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F9
Two independent repeater systems are a County fire system, and a Sheriff’s Office system. Use of the same terminology causes considerable confusion (See Findings 10 and 12 below).
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
the “blue” County fire system be extended to cover the entire county. (Findings 9-11, 13)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F10
The County fire repeater system is comprised of two parallel networks, the “red” and “blue” systems: • The “red” system covers most of the county, with the exception of various portions of the southwestern county; • The “blue” system provides coverage to most of the southern part of the county.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
the “blue” County fire system be extended to cover the entire county. (Findings 9-11, 13)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F11
Failure of the “red” County fire system will leave the northern part of the county without direct communications. Mobile radio operators may be able to contact secondary agencies who can relay messages; at such a time these dispatchers may already be overloaded.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
the “blue” County fire system be extended to cover the entire county. (Findings 9-11, 13)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F12
The Sheriff’s office maintains its own separate two part repeater system, also referred to as the “red” and “blue” systems. a. Sheriff’s dispatch communications are relayed by microwave from the dispatch center on Low Gap Rd. in Ukiah, to Spanish Mtn. b. The dispatch communications then enter the County microwave system which relays them to the appropriate Sheriff’s repeater. c. The “red” system provides coverage to the Coast and north County. d. The “blue” system covers the south and central County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F13
Access to both the County fire and Sheriff’s repeater systems require mobile radios which are configured specifically for both systems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F14
Mendocino County General Services Agency is preparing a plan for the acquisition and installation of a replacement microwave system over the next several years.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F15
The County holds a total of 39 FCC radio licenses.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
new microwave equipment be selected to allow access to frequencies required by future licenses. (Findings 15-18)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F16
All of the microwave links currently have up-to-date licenses.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
new microwave equipment be selected to allow access to frequencies required by future licenses. (Findings 15-18)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F17
Some of the microwave links operate on frequencies which will be unavailable when the licenses expire.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
new microwave equipment be selected to allow access to frequencies required by future licenses. (Findings 15-18)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F18
Changing the frequency used by the microwave links requires the acquisition of expensive replacement communications equipment.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
new microwave equipment be selected to allow access to frequencies required by future licenses. (Findings 15-18)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F19
A network of ham radio operators is an unofficial parallel system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F20
Satellite phones are a possible additional communications system. However, satellite systems require a clear southern exposure to function.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
F21
Communications would be concentrated in the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), in the event of a disaster.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
plans be developed and implemented to effectively deal with any failure in the existing communications system. (Findings 1-21)
R6
the EOC standby generator and wiring be assessed to make sure it can fully meet the needs of the EOC. (Findings 21-22) Comments County officials, and the general public, have found it difficult to understand and keep track of how the system is configured and functions. This has led to the system being in imminent risk of permanent failure. For this reason the Grand Jury believes immediate action is required to assure emergency communications reliability. Response Required Board of Supervisors (Findings 1c, 4-5, 7-8, 11, 13-18, 21-22; All Recommendations) Mendocino County Chief Executive Office (All Findings; All Recommendations) Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (Findings 1-9, 12-14, 18-22; Recommendations 1-3, 5-6) Mendocino County Emergency Services Coordinator (All Findings; All Recommendations) Mendocino County General Services Agency (Findings 1-5, 9-11, 13-18, 20-22; All Recommendations) Response Requested All Fire Chiefs (Findings 1-5, 7, 9-11, 13-14, 19-21; Recommendations 1-5) CalFire – Howard Forest (Findings 1-8, 10-11, 13, 19; Recommendations 1-5)
F22
The EOC has a standby generator to ensure continued functioning of the command structure.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
the EOC standby generator and wiring be assessed to make sure it can fully meet the needs of the EOC. (Findings 21-22) Comments County officials, and the general public, have found it difficult to understand and keep track of how the system is configured and functions. This has led to the system being in imminent risk of permanent failure. For this reason the Grand Jury believes immediate action is required to assure emergency communications reliability. Response Required Board of Supervisors (Findings 1c, 4-5, 7-8, 11, 13-18, 21-22; All Recommendations) Mendocino County Chief Executive Office (All Findings; All Recommendations) Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (Findings 1-9, 12-14, 18-22; Recommendations 1-3, 5-6) Mendocino County Emergency Services Coordinator (All Findings; All Recommendations) Mendocino County General Services Agency (Findings 1-5, 9-11, 13-18, 20-22; All Recommendations) Response Requested All Fire Chiefs (Findings 1-5, 7, 9-11, 13-14, 19-21; Recommendations 1-5) CalFire – Howard Forest (Findings 1-8, 10-11, 13, 19; Recommendations 1-5)
Comments 1
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CO1County officials, and the general public, have found it difficult to understand and keep track of how the system is configured and functions. This has led to the system being in imminent risk of permanent failure. For this reason the Grand Jury believes immediate action is required to assure emergency communications reliability. Response Required Board of Supervisors (Findings 1c, 4-5, 7-8, 11, 13-18, 21-22; All Recommendations) Mendocino County Chief Executive Office (All Findings; All Recommendations) Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (Findings 1-9, 12-14, 18-22; Recommendations 1-3, 5-6) Mendocino County Emergency Services Coordinator (All Findings; All Recommendations) Mendocino County General Services Agency (Findings 1-5, 9-11, 13-18, 20-22; All Recommendations) Response Requested All Fire Chiefs (Findings 1-5, 7, 9-11, 13-14, 19-21; Recommendations 1-5) CalFire – Howard Forest (Findings 1-8, 10-11, 13, 19; Recommendations 1-5)