East Bay Regional Communications System Authority East Bay Regional Communications System Authority

About EBRCSA

Mission

To build, own and operate a state-of-the-art P25 compliant communications system for the public agencies within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Overview

The East Bay Regional Communications System Authority (EBRCSA) was officially created on September 11, 2007 with the formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). In California State Statute, a JPA is viewed as an independent governmental agency with the same powers that accrue to one of the member agencies. Currently there are 43 member agencies consisting of both counties, 30 cities, 6 special districts, 3 Colleges, Dublin-San Ramon Services District and the California Department of Transportation serving a population of over 2.5 million people. The Board of Directors is made up of 23 representatives consisting of Elected Officials, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, and City Managers who will be responsible for the overall development, operations and funding of the system.

Representatives from both counties have been working together for over 6 years using Homeland Security grants funds from the Bay Area Security Initiative (UASI), State Homeland Security (SHSGP) grant programs, and COPS grant funds to fund infrastructure build out while the JPA formation process moved forward. CTA Communications completed a detailed system design and operational cost model, the system is estimated to cost approximately $70 million. To date, the EBRCSA has secured close to $51 million in Federal Homeland Security grants to build out the infrastructure.

Photo of original Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board on October 24, 2007, at the Dublin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
Photo of original Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board on October 24, 2007,
at the Dublin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services