Original Report:
According to reports from several public safety publications, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on March 26 to temporarily halt work on radio antenna sites proposed as part of Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS). LA-RICS is one of five “early builder” projects of public-safety Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems proceeding under spectrum lease agreements from FirstNet.
Citing health concerns of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation for firefighters and local residents, the LA County Board delayed construction of County sites for at least two weeks until the Board can revisit the matter. During the Board’s meeting, a firefighters union led a protest against the installation of the LTE cell sites near fire stations.
LA-RICS is the recipient of a $154.6 million Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Under the terms of the grant, the funds must be used by September 30, 2015. The Board’s motion calls for the board to send a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and congressional representatives to seek an extension of the grant deadline.
The Board’s moratorium applies only to sites with opposition from residents or employees. LA-RICS may continue work on other sites included in the project. The project is now includes 177 new monopole sites, reduced from a 232-site original plan, because some cities in LA County have dropped out of the project. For more information, click on these articles:
Mission Critical Communications
Urgent Communications