HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 03-23Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: CAO 03-23
Date: January 9, 2023
From: Marisa Carpino
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject: Pre 2023 Capital Budget Approval
- Fire Services Portable Radios
- File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1. That Council approve the pre 2023 Capital Budget approval for the purchase of Fire
Services portable radios (C10700.2303) in the amount of $500,000.00 to be funded from
a 5-year internal loan; and
2. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary action
to give effect hereto.
Executive Summary: The pre 2023 Capital Budget approval request for the lifecycle
replacement of portable radios and associated batteries, lapel mics, and vehicle chargers will
assist the City in providing public safety and protection to our residents, while ensuring the
effectiveness and safety of our Fire Services front line staff.
Currently, the Harris XG-75 model portable radios are nearing the end of their performance
lifecycle and parts availability, and are in need of replacement. Furthermore, replacement
batteries for the XG-75 are no longer available. The pre 2023 Capital Budget approval for this
purchase will assist in expediting the procurement process and reduce the associated risk of
potential failures of the current radios. The proposed replacement for the Harris XG-75 is the
Harris XL-185P which has an improved battery life and charge hold.
Financial Implications: The financial commitment for these portable radios is $500,000.00
and has been included in the 2023 Draft Capital Budget submission. At this time, the funding
source for this project is tentatively set as a 5-year internal loan. The annual debt charges
(principal and interest) for this loan is estimated to be $116,767.00.
Discussion: In 2014, Pickering Fire Services along with Durham Regional Police Services
(DRPS) and other Durham Fire Services within the Region moved to a new Harris P25 Next
Gen radio system. The shared system and network is managed by DRPS and municipal users
are responsible for their share of network/infrastructure costs based on the number of radios
they have on the system. Additionally, each user/municipality is responsible for the purchase
and maintenance of their own hardware (radios).
CAO 03-23 January 9, 2023
Subject: Pre 2023 Capital Budget Approvals Page 2
The current Harris XG-75 model portable radios are nearing the end of their performance
lifecycle and parts availability, and are in need of replacement. Recently, Fire Services staff
have experienced several instances where radio batteries have lost their charge prematurely,
resulting in a loss of effective communication. Spare batteries are available for our staff,
however our stock is low and replacement batteries for the XG-75 are no longer available. This
has resulted in submissions of concern from Joint Health and Safety Committee members, as
it poses a fire ground safety concern regarding critical radio communications at an emergency
scene. As a result, Fire Services currently have six new Harris XL-185 portable radios that
have been placed in service. These have been installed on six of the primary apparatus and
are utilized by the Officers who are the primary communicators at emergency scenes.
As such, pre 2023 Capital Budget approval for this purchase will assist in expediting the
procurement process and reduce the associated risk of potential failures of the current radios.
Procurement of the Harris radios will be subject to the city’s competitive bidding process. The
proposed replacement for the Harris XG-75 is the Harris XL-185P which has an improved
battery life and charge hold.
Attachment:
None.
Prepared/Approved/Endorsed By:
Steve Boyd
Fire Chief
SB:fn
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Original Signed By:
Original Signed By: