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Fairfax Public Safety Communications to seek state grants for backup center and interoperability testing
Summary
Department of Public Safety Communications staff asked the committee for concurrence to pursue three state grant opportunities funded by E‑911 wireless funds, including an approved $896,000 project, a backup center replacement and interoperability testing tied to next-generation radio procurement.
The Department of Public Safety Communications asked the Safety and Security Committee on May 20 for concurrence to apply for three state grants administered by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the statewide 911 services board, funded by E‑911 wireless fees.
A representative identified in the meeting as Mr. Falcon said the most urgent application is due June 30 and that $896,000 listed for that grant opportunity had already received internal approval; staff must still submit the formal application and a business-case certification. Two other opportunities — backup alternate center funding and interoperability testing — have later deadlines (June 30, 2026) but are priority items for the department.
Mr. Falcon said the county’s current backup center at Pine Ridge has reached end of life and the proposed grant would support identifying and funding an alternate backup center. The interoperability-testing funds would support testing for the next iteration of the county’s radio system (SENET) and be incorporated into the county’s Request for Proposals process so interoperability performance can be a decision factor in choosing a vendor.
The committee indicated general concurrence; staff will submit the grant applications and return to the Board with grant items as they are routed for formal approval. No public action or vote was recorded during the presentation.
