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Agenda Item: 7(d) |
Prepared By: Chris Byrne, Fire Chief |
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Business: Consent Agenda Resolution |
Department: Fire-Rescue Department |
Subject:
Title
Resolution - Amending Fire Fee Schedule - Chris Byrne, Fire Chief, Fire Rescue Department
Body
BACKGROUND:
In July 2023, the State of Florida passed HB 1575, revising the Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC) requirements to ensure adequate public safety radio system coverage inside both new and existing buildings. The FFPC specifies minimum thresholds for signal strength, quality, and percentage of general and critical areas to be covered.
This statute shifts the responsibility of maintaining adequate radio system coverage to the property owner, rather than the City or Collier County.
To achieve compliance, buildings typically require an Emergency Communication Enhancement System (ERCES), as referenced in statute as a two-way radio communication enhancement system. The most common type of ERCES is a Bi-directional Amplifier (BDA) system, which uses a donor antenna to capture signals from the public safety network, boosts them via the BDA, and distributes them throughout the building with a network of internal antennas.
Local Implementation
Following passage of HB 1575, compliance exemption was granted until January 2025. During this period, Collier County, as owner of the public safety radio system, established:
• County-wide testing standards
• A vetted vendor list to complete and certify radio coverage testing
Since then, commercial and high-rise buildings within the City that meet statutory requirements have been completing testing and submitting reports to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
As a result of this testing, several buildings now require installation of an ERCES system. These installations involve permit applications, plan review, and fire inspections, activities not currently covered in the Fire Fee resolution.
Proposed Fire Fee Additions
To ensure adequate cost recovery and proper oversight, it is necessary to add the following fees to the Fire Fee Schedule:
Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) Fees
• Plan Review Fee: $300.00 per review
• Inspection Fee: $300.00 base inspection fee, plus $100.00 per floor
Alternative Method of Compliance
ERCES installations, commonly BDA systems, are costly, often up to $300,000 per condominium.
As an alternative, property owners may elect to provide adequate LTE (cellular) coverage, which allows public safety radios to automatically connect in poor in-building coverage situations. This option requires Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) approval. The alternative method fee will provide funding to the Department’s capital replacement fund for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining LTE-capable radios.
• Alternative Method Systems Fee (LTE or comparable technology):
$1.00 per square foot of structure under air, not to exceed $50,000.00 per review
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: The ERCS fees and alternative method of compliance may generate approximately $250,000 in new revenue for FY26.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Resolution 25-50.
POTENTIAL MOTION: “I move approval of Resolution 25-50.”