Faced with objections from a firefighters’ union, activists and others raising health concerns about living or working near radio transmission towers, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday delayed work on an emergency communications system designed to assist first-responders in an earthquake, tsunami, terrorist attack or other disaster.
The Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System, or LA- RICS, is designed to ensure seamless radio communications among roughly 80 public safety agencies and 34,000 first-responders operating over more than 4,000 square miles of sprawling terrain. The program officially began in 2009, but its roots can be traced to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, after reports that New York fire and police personnel were using two separate radio systems, hindering communications.
LA-RICS is designed to include two communications systems: a Long Term Evolution, or LTE, wireless broadband system, built out with 177 antenna sites for high-speed data communications, and a land-mobile radio system for voice communications. Many of the radio transmission towers were expected to be built near county fire stations.
The International Association of Firefighters Local 1014, however, raised concerns about health risks associated with radio-frequency emissions. Residents living in communities as diverse as Rolling Hills, El Monte and Santa Clarita also told the board they were worried about health impacts and complained about the aesthetics of the towers, some of which sat just feet away from their properties.
The original plan called for 252 LTE antennas, but some cities opted out of the plan, with some citing concerns about costs. Based on current agreements, first-responders in a large part of the South Bay would be forced to rely on commercial broadband systems, competing with all other users to get emergency communications through, according to board documents. If more cities decline to participate, the integrity of the system could be seriously compromised, officials said.
The county was awarded $154.6 million in federal funding for the project, but that money needs to be used by Sept. 30 under terms of the grant.
Community advocates said that deadline was fueling a rush to construct towers and that LA-RICS personnel had failed to reach out to let neighbors know that projects would be built nearby before construction workers showed up. Eight sites have been completed to date and 51 others are under construction, according to county documents.
Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who recommended reaching out to federal officials for an extension of the deadline, scolded LA-RICS personnel after looking at a photo of a tower that a woman said she could reach out and touch from her backyard.
“This is stupid,” Antonovich said. “I don’t know how we got so far. … It’s irresponsible.”
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas agreed, saying that LA-RICS management “has a lot of explaining to do.”
A contingent from the board is set to head to Washington, D.C., next month and Antonovich said he was confident about the chances of getting an extension that would allow the relocation of some of the planned towers, giving officials a chance to meet with community members to discuss health concerns.
County staffers warned, however, that the Department of Commerce has said it would not allow further extensions.
The board was unanimous in its support of a delay and further community outreach.
Staffers were asked to return in two weeks with a report on co-locating towers near existing commercial carriers’ towers. In the meantime, only sites unopposed by residents or employees will move forward.
— City News Service