Santa Cruz County approves RING system despite cost and access worries

Santa Cruz County Approves New Public Safety Radio System Amid Concerns

Santa Cruz County leaders have approved plans to build a new and improved local public safety radio system during their recent meeting, despite concerns from stakeholders and community members about the financial burden on local agencies and the potential impact on public access to emergency communications. The board unanimously agreed to a $28 million sales agreement with E.F. Johnson Co., a radio manufacturer, to develop and support a Regional Interoperable Next Generation Radio System, or RING, in Santa Cruz County.

The new system is expected to take approximately three years to launch, with local responders potentially using it as early as late 2028 or early 2029. Supervisor Justin Cummings expressed optimism about the project but acknowledged that there are still challenges to address before the costs are fully realized by the agencies involved.

For over two decades, local law enforcement, fire departments, medical services, and other emergency response agencies have relied on a patchwork of radio systems known as "very high frequency." However, according to a staff report, this system has deteriorated to the point of becoming a major operational vulnerability, with repeated instances of failure during significant incidents.

Key Benefits of the New System

One of the main advantages of the new RING system is its ability to streamline mutual aid efforts. It can seamlessly integrate different radio frequencies from participating local and regional agencies into a single interoperable system. In contrast, the current network is limited by outdated technology that hinders communication when responders move between jurisdictions.

Jim Frawley, a former Santa Cruz fire chief turned crisis management expert, highlighted that the current system’s portable radio signal covers only about 60-65% of the county. This will increase to 95% with the new system, which Frawley described as "unheard of."

He added, “We’ve gone above and beyond to provide the highest service coverage locally of any system I know of within the state of California.”

Governance and Financial Structure

While the county will operate the system, its founding membership is expected to include all four local cities and UC Santa Cruz. A Master Service and Governance Agreement outlines how these agencies will share governance, operational responsibilities, and long-term financial obligations.

Other local emergency response agencies may join as "subscribers," but some have raised concerns about the cost. In a letter to the board, the Santa Cruz County Fire Chief’s Association noted that annual contributions for radio services could account for 8.5% of its members’ 2030 budgets, which they consider too high.

Mark Correira, Scotts Valley fire chief, warned that without changes, the project could divide fire agencies into two separate groups. He emphasized that this outcome is not desirable.

Addressing Cost Concerns

County staff mentioned plans to seek state and federal grants to reduce buy-in costs and continue engaging with fire districts as the subscriber agreement is finalized. The board also directed staff to explore using revenue from measures Q and K to offset subscriber costs.

Supervisor Monica Martinez supported rural fire agencies, which she said are under significant pressure. She urged staff to find ways to bridge the cost gap while acknowledging the need for an improved system.

Supervisors Felipe Hernandez and Kim De Serpa raised questions about public access to radio communications. In 2020, the California Department of Justice required law enforcement agencies to encrypt radio communications to protect sensitive information. However, newsrooms and the public have traditionally used scanners to monitor emergency frequencies.

Frawley explained that while encryption must be included in the new system, it is up to each agency to decide whether to activate it. Clark emphasized the importance of finding a solution that balances privacy and public access needs.

Implementation and Timeline

Work on modernizing the radio system began in 2021 and culminated with the county releasing a request for proposals in 2024. The governance structure includes an executive committee with representatives from all member agencies, along with a technical advisory group and a regional users group.

County staff confirmed that other local agencies, including fire departments, can join as "members" and directly participate in governance rather than remaining as "subscribers." According to the staff report, the cities of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville have approved the service and governance agreement along with UCSC. The Capitola City Council is expected to review the proposal at its meeting Thursday.

The actual upgrade of the radio system will cost $18.5 million, with the county covering 61.6% of those costs due to its large coverage area. Support services and warranty costs add up to $9.5 million and will be covered through membership and subscription fees.