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RESOLUTION R-1314-53: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $108,684 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX FUND BALANCE TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL COMPUTER NETWORK CONNECTIVITY HARDWARE FOR THE COMPUTERS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S FIRST RESPONSE VEHICLES AND THE FIRE STATIONS WHERE THE VEHICLES ARE HOUSED.
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BACKGROUND: The Norman Fire Department is committed to the efficient delivery of quality safety and protective services to the citizens of Norman. The Norman Fire Department protects citizens of Norman from emergencies and disasters through hazard suppression, prevention, mitigation, and educational programs. A key resource in meeting all of the Fire Department's performance expectations is information technology. Specifically, the Fire Department has computers installed in the majority of the first response vehicles. The computers in the first response vehicles are intended to provide immediate information and situational awareness. When accessible, the information provided assists Fire Department first responders in determining appropriate travel routes and response options (structure designs, patient health history, etc.).
DISCUSSION: The current electrical wiring and computer network connectivity hardware related to the computers in the Fire Department's first response vehicles and the fire stations where those vehicles are housed is inadequate. The majority of Norman fire stations and Fire Department vehicles are not wired to provide continuous power to the in-vehicle computers when the vehicles are in-quarters. Without continuous external power, the computers may shut down and be unavailable in a timely manner during emergency response situations. The majority of Norman fire stations (built before 2010) are also not equipped to provide continuous network connectivity to the in-vehicle computers when the Fire vehicles are in-quarters. Without continuous network connectivity, computers do not pro...
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