Case Study: Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS)

Creating Interoperability in the Second-Largest Metropolitan Area in the United States

 

The Client

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS). The Los Angeles region is one of the largest urban areas in the nation, with more than 10 million residents living within 4,084 square miles – a population greater than that of 42 of the 50 states. Fifty law enforcement and 31 fire service agencies support the area's residents and visitors, and they are on disparate or obsolete radio systems, making it difficult to effectively communicate with one another.

 

The Project

The City of Los Angeles initially selected RCC to evaluate and devise a voice and data radio interoperability solution for various Los Angeles City agencies, including Fire, LAPD, Port Authority and Los Angeles World Airports. But after an extensive needs assessment, RCC determined the most cost-effective and operationally efficient solution was to evolve the scope of the project into a regional solution.

 

The project includes the following components:

  • Provide the most cost-effective and operationally efficient public safety voice and data radio solution for the Los Angeles, California region.
  • Develop a multi-phased implementation strategy with a firm budget that incorporates the implementation timeline.
  • Optimize the use of existing infrastructure, radio sites and frequencies.
  • Develop a system governance strategy that encompasses the needs of public safety and public service users in the Los Angeles Region.

 

When finished, LA-RICS will support more than 34,000 first responders and mission-critical personnel, and allow interagency coordination and response to routine, emergency and catastrophic events. It will serve a population of more than 10 million citizens and will be a cornerstone projects that will define public safety radio services nationally.

 

RCC's Role

RCC is providing many important services for the LA-RICS project, including:

 

  • Leveraged existing UHF channels to form a P-25 digital trunked voice radio system and defined a new 700/800 MHz trunked mobile data system.
  • Defined a new Joint Powers Authority that provides administrative direction and equitable participation by all stakeholder agencies.
  • Provided equal to or better operational radio coverage to the participating regional stakeholder agencies.
  • Developed multi-year financial plan to support the acquisition of equipment valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • Worked with stakeholder agencies and the LA-RICS Steering Committee to define operational and performance needs including coverage and service availability objectives.
  • Assessed existing radio resources.
  • Developed an agreed-to Joint Powers Authority.
  • Created a Funding Plan based on stakeholder agency contribution, grant funding, budgetary operational allotments.
  • Prepared specifications and supporting documents for a 2Q 2009 bid.
  • RCC is currently under contract through the County of Los Angeles supporting the LA-RICS Project, with implementation estimated to be in 2013.