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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 632 Draft 02 2022-2024A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE MAYOR TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A COUNTY RADIO PLAN. WHEREAS, during times of natural disaster and other emergency situations, inadequate power supply or Internet access can impair communication channels and jeopardize the ability of vulnerable communities to access crucial, up-to-date information, especially in remote areas where the only means of communication may be battery-powered radio; and WHEREAS, recent natural disasters have highlighted the need to identify all existing lines of communication between government and non-government organizations during an emergency or disaster and to develop best practices when lines of communication become inoperable; and WHEREAS, radio systems provide a critical alternative communications resource for both public and private parties, including law enforcement and public safety agencies, local Community Emergency Response Teams, and amateur ham radio operators, to utilize when other lines of communication are nonviable; and WHEREAS, amateur ham radio infrastructure can assist in the coordination of government communication with the Hawai‘i Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (“HVOAD”), Auxiliary Communication Service (“ACS”), medical care providers, and other non-governmental organizations; and WHEREAS, a framework for cooperation with ham radio operators provides an alternative method to circulate critical information and more detailed reporting and updates of specific regional information; and WHEREAS, the development of a “County Radio Plan” would organize and structure the County’s efforts to improve its radio communication infrastructure in collaboration with public and private partners across all habitable parts of Hawaiʻi Island, with a special focus on emergency response for rural or isolated areas; and WHEREAS, a “County Radio Plan” would also identify existing “hub and spoke” radio network communication strengths and potential weaknesses, such as lack of backup power systems, inadequate infrastructure to reach remote areas, and the need for certified volunteers to enhance emergency response; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that this body hereby urges the Mayor to convene a working group of nine members, consisting of one member each from the Civil Defense Agency, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, HVOAD, ACS, five members from amateur radio clubs on Hawai‘i Island, and other non-voting members as the working group may deem appropriate. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group develop a County Radio Plan to expand radio capacity across the County and maintain active partnerships with public, professional, and amateur radio operators to disseminate information in cases of emergency. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Radio Plan be completed and submitted to this body and to the Mayor no later than December 31, 2025, and that the plan include recommendations on the following topics: 1. Training, certification, and protocols for the use of ham radio during disasters and emergencies; 2. Continual evaluation of coordination efforts between the Civil Defense Agency and ham radio operators; 3. Civil Defense alert and notification systems, and other methods of public information outreach and dissemination during and after times of disaster or emergency; 4. Prioritization of underserved or unserved areas for communication infrastructure improvements; and 5. Determination of human resource capacity and need, including volunteer and personnel hours, to be used as a basis for logistical planning and for seeking future funding opportunities. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; and Talmadge J. Magno, Civil Defense Administrator. Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___. INTRODUCED BY: _______________________________________ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai‘i Hilo, Hawai‘i ROLL CALL VOTE    AYES NOES ABS EX   EVANS       GALIMBA       I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________. INABA       KAGIWADA       KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER       KIERKIEWICZ      ATTEST: KIMBALL       LEE LOY       VILLEGAS              Reference:  COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.