TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, for the use of a Portable Emergency Advisory Radio System, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach (GPALB) owns and operates a Portable Emergency Advisory Radio System (PEARS) during the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to provide race fans with information affecting traffic or imminent emergencies. The PEARS broadcasts over an AM radio band at 1680 kHz to homes, businesses, and vehicles within the immediate area of the race circuit. The broadcast can be heard five to ten miles away, with an effective range of four miles. The GPALB has agreed to allow the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DPEC) to use PEARS to broadcast emergency messages to the public, when not utilized by the GPALB, at no cost to the City.
During a major emergency or disaster, DPEC would use PEARS to broadcast emergency messages via standard AM radio receivers directly to residents, businesses, and vehicles within the impacted area. Because PEARS is portable, it may be used in a variety of locations to support various incidents. The antenna system folds up, allowing the entire system to be set up in 10 to 15 minutes by one person. PEARS would be used in addition to AlertLongBeach, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), public safety personnel, social media, television stations and standard AM and FM radio stations to provide the public with critical public safety instructions. DPEC will be responsible for any damages to PEARS while in its possession and operate it under FCC guidelines.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard F. Anthony on October 3, 2016 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on October 4, 2016.
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