HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 - Shoreline Observation System - SOSCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 22
June 27, 2006
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Fire Department
Tim Riley, 644 -3101, triley @city.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Shoreline Observation System (SOS)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. City Council approve purchase and installation of the Newport Beach
Shoreline Observation System (SOS).
2. City Council approve the sole source purchase of cameras and ancillary
equipment from ISMS Inc., Shakespeare Composite Structures Mfg., and Pro
911 Systems.
DISCUSSION:
During the summer, the fire department staffs up to 38 lifeguard towers, 10 patrol
units and 3 rescue boats to prevent injury and loss of life to those who visit our
beaches. It is neither financially feasible nor practical to maintain that level of
staffing the rest of the year when beach attendance is minimal. During most of
the year, we have a maximum of six people providing lifeguard surveillance from
mobile patrols and lifeguard towers. However, there are many times throughout
the non - summer months when we have beach users show up at locations remote
to our staffing patterns. The use of remote video observation capabilities in the
lifeguard communications center has enhanced lifeguards ability to identify areas
of concern year round and more effectively assign resources when and where
needed.
A few years back, we entered into a trial project with Surtline; a commercial
website that provides up -to -date video images of surf conditions at popular
surfing beaches. We were provided access to their images in our Lifeguard
Communications Center and used them to observe changing surf conditions and
gather updated beach attendance information at remote locations. This trial
period gave us the opportunity to test the camera concept and try various
Agenda Item No.
June 27, 2006
camera, data transmission and control systems. Based upon our initial review
and technical findings, we developed a proposal to create a comprehensive
system using settlement funds from the American Trader Oil Spill incident. This
pilot phase of the project purchased and installed two cameras, at Balboa and
Newport piers, and verified the operational and technical capability of the chosen
cameras and control system. This project gained approval from the City Council
and the American Trader Oil Spill Settlement Sub - committee.
The pilot phase is complete and the cameras have proven effective at providing
important information to make lifeguard staffing and beachgoer safety decisions.
They also allow the public to visually assess beach conditions via a website prior
to making the trip to the beach, adding to the overall beach experience and
Newport Beach tourist environment. Staff is ready to now proceed with the rest of
the system for a total'of 8 cameras. The additional 6 cameras are planned for the
Wedge, Orange Street, 15th Street, 56th Street, Corona Del Mar State Beach, and
44th Street. The cameras and microwave antennas are mounted on 30 foot poles
at each of these locations. In most cases, the poles will replace shorter ones
already in place that support lifeguard tower phone lines. The equipment
identified in this contract has been tested successfully in onsite. Each of the
vendors have worked with us in the pilot phase and have a proven track record in
these types of installation in numerous other cities and jurisdictions. Because of
the previous equipment configuration, system compatibility issues and
proprietary software in the control system, we request that Council approve a
sole source purchase.
Issues of public privacy have been raised in connection with these types of
systems. The Fire Department has developed a policy (attached) to deal with
these concerns and to ensure appropriate use of the system. Only trained and
authorized personnel may use the system. The system may only be used for
lifeguard operations. Areas such as homes where the public has a reasonable
expectation of privacy will be blocked from the cameras view. The cameras can
only be controlled in the lifeguard communications center and are subject to
close supervision by the on duty watch commander. In addition, the public will be
able to view the same images on the internet, therefore providing another level of
oversight.
Environmental Review:
The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Section 15302 of the CEQA Implementing Guidelines. This
exemption covers the maintenance and alteration of existing public facilities with
negligible expansion of the facilities in areas that are not environmentally
sensitive.
Public Notice:
Agenda Item No.
June 27, 2006
None required.
Funding Availability:
Funding is appropriated in the FY 2006/2007 Capital Improvement Program,
Project C5100566. American Trader Oil Spill funds were used to develop the
trial and will be used again in this phase of the project. Cost is estimated at
$72,000. There is currently $78,616 remaining in the existing fund.
Support Services Manager
Attachments: Policy 9.13.561 Shoreline Observation System
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Policy 9.B.561 — Shoreline Observation System
The Shoreline Observation System provides remote video observation at strategic
locations to assist lifeguards with observing the shoreline in Newport Beach. These
video images will be used to assist personnel in making beach - staffing decisions, tracking
rescue activity, creating training materials, and collecting data to further the department
mission of "reducing the loss of life and property from fire, marine, medical and
environmental emergencies through education, prevention, hazard reduction and
response." The system is particularly well suited for viewing areas of the beach during
low use times when personnel resources have not been deployed and/or other means of
observation are not effective.
9.13.561.01 USE POLICY
Fire Department personnel are expected to act professionally and extend the utmost
respect to our beach patrons, which includes respecting their privacy. The shoreline
observation system is only to be used for department business purposes as expressed in
this policy and shall not be used to satisfy personal interests. Measures will be taken to
ensure that only public areas are observed. Areas where a member of the public has a
reasonable expectation of privacy will be blocked from the camera's view. The shoreline
observation is not to be used to view images inside a private residence, place of business,
or the interior of a vehicle. Success of this program will be achieved through the careful
selection, installation and implementation of technology, well - developed and fully
implemented operational controls and the training of authorized personnel.
9.B.561.02 DEFINITIONS
1. Wide Angle — A photographic lens system with a short focal length used to
capture an image of a large area
2. Telephoto — A photographic lens system with a long focal length used to produce
a large image of a distant object.
3. Pan — Moving a camera left and right along its horizontal axis for the purpose of
framing a shot.
4. Tilt — Swiveling a camera up and down along its vertical axis for the purpose of
framing a shot.
5. Zoom — Changing the focal length of the lens of a camera to effect a transition,
such as from a "wide-angle" type setting to a "telephoto" type setting.
6. Focus — Camera adjustment that afl;ects the distinctiveness, or clarity, of an
image.
7. Preset — A stored array of setting for Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Focus.
Section 9.13. — Communication Systems
Policy 9.13.561 Shoreline Observation System - Page I of 4
Adopted: 04/16/04
9.13.561.03 TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
The Shoreline Observation System uses a series of video cameras to provide high quality,
real -time images for viewing by authorized personnel in the Lifeguard Communications
Center and members of the public via the Internet. Some cameras have been installed and
are operated by the City of Newport Beach and are under the direct control of authorized
personnel in the Lifeguard Communications Center. Others are owned and operated by
Surfline, Inc., a world wide website that provides up -to -date surf reports, and are also
under the direct control of authorized personnel in the Lifeguard Communication Center.
All images from any camera are made available for viewing by the general public
through the Surfline website. Each camera has Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Focus features that
may be remotely controlled from the Lifeguard Communications Center, giving
authorized personnel the ability to view a wide variety of images from a fixed point.
The cameras will be strategically placed along public beaches within range of homes,
apartments and restrooms where the public has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Such
areas will be identified and physically masked from the camera's view. Some cameras
may have a feature where "privacy zones" can be programmed into the camera, creating a
digital mask of these areas.
Initially, two (2) shoreline observation cameras have been installed to test the technical
application of the program. An additional six (6) cameras will be installed at key high
use and rescue activity beaches over the seven miles of the Newport Beach coastline.
9.B.561.04 OPERATIONAL CONTROLS
Department personnel have the responsibility to maintain and enhance the City's public
image and to use the system in a productive and responsible, professional manner. Any
improper use of the system is unacceptable and will not be permitted. The system
provides Department personnel with real -time images of rescues and medical aids to
monitor the deployment of resources to emergencies, enhance public and lifeguard safety,
and improve patrol and response times in other areas when resources need to be
redirected.
Accentable Uses:
This system will be used by authorized personnel in the following manner:
• To view public areas for the expressed purpose of estimating the impact of public
visitation on the need for lifeguard deployment
• To monitor or assist with lifeguard accident prevention, rescue or medical
assistance activity.
• To capture video images for the expressed purpose of the development of video
training materials
• To validate beach attendance estimates for statistical purposes.
Section 92. — Communication Systems
Policy 9.11.561 Shoreline Observation System - Page 2 of 4
Adopted: 04116104
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9.13.561.03 TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
The Shoreline Observation System uses a series of video cameras to provide high quality,
real -time images for viewing by authorized personnel in the Lifeguard Communications
Center and members of the public via the Internet. Some cameras have been installed and
are operated by the City of Newport Beach and are under the direct control of authorized
personnel in the Lifeguard Communications Center. Others are owned and operated by
Surfline, Inc., a world wide website that provides up -to -date surf reports, and are also
under the direct control of authorized personnel in the Lifeguard Communication Center.
All images from any camera are made available for viewing by the general public
through the Surfline website. Each camera has Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Focus features that
may be remotely controlled from the Lifeguard Communications Center, giving
authorized personnel the ability to view a wide variety of images from a fixed point.
The cameras will be strategically placed along public beaches within range of homes,
apartments and restrooms where the public has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Such
areas will be identified and physically masked from the camera's view. Some cameras
may have a feature where "privacy zones" can be programmed into the camera, creating a
digital mask of these areas.
Initially, two (2) shoreline observation cameras have been installed to test the technical
application of the program. An additional six (6) cameras will be installed at key high
use and rescue activity beaches over the seven miles of the Newport Beach coastline.
9.B.561.04 OPERATIONAL CONTROLS
Department personnel have the responsibility to maintain and enhance the City's public
image and to use the system in a productive and responsible, professional manner. Any
improper use of the system is unacceptable and will not be permitted. The system
provides Department personnel with real -time images of rescues and medical aids to
monitor the deployment of resources to emergencies, enhance public and lifeguard safety,
and improve patrol and response times in other areas when resources need to be
redirected.
Accentable Uses:
This system will be used by authorized personnel in the following manner:
• To view public areas for the expressed purpose of estimating the impact of public
visitation on the need for lifeguard deployment
• To monitor or assist with lifeguard accident prevention, rescue or medical
assistance activity.
• To capture video images for the expressed purpose of the development of video
training materials
• To validate beach attendance estimates for statistical purposes.
Section 92. — Communication Systems
Policy 9.11.561 Shoreline Observation System - Page 2 of 4
Adopted: 04116104
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• To demonstrate the system to lifeguards or officials from other agencies.
• To capture recreational images for viewing by the general public.
Prohibited Uses:
Fire Department personnel are not to use the system for anything other than to carry out
their assigned duties and responsibilities. Although not all - inclusive, the following are
uses that are strictly prohibited:
• Using the system to look at or into im ocean front residence or business.
• Using the system to look into the interior of a vehicle.
• Using the system to obtain a close -tip image of any person for any reason other
than accident prevention, rescue or :medical assistance activities.
Under no circumstances will any Lifeguard, regardless of rank, "second guess" an on-
scene Incident Commander, based solely on images delivered over the network.
Restricted Access:
Only Authorized Personnel will have the ability to control the cameras in real -time or
program presets for the cameras. Authorized Personnel will be given system privileges to
control the cameras only when their duties and responsibilities require it, only after being
trained in its proper use, and only after signing an AUTHORIZATION REGARDING
THE ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE SHORELINE OBSERVATION SYSTEM
form.
Compliance:
When fully implemented, the live output from the cameras will be viewable by more than
one authorized person at a time and by the public over the Internet. In addition to
allowing team members to simultaneously view a given incident, this system will provide
internal control with regard to appropriate use of the system. Any inappropriate use will
be visible to others viewing the network. Inappropriate use would include viewing any
image not related to lifeguard business. The observation system will use a predetermined
program to establish the views which are deemed optimal for observing crowd, beach and
rescue activity. From time to time, an authorized user may take control of the camera to
obtain a better view of a safety - related incident on the beach. The computer will retake
control of the camera after a programmed period of time and resume its preset image
sequence on the Internet.
Fire Department managers may monitor employee use at any time.
9.B.561.05 POLICY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
All Authorized Personnel will sign the attached acknowledgement form. Said form will
be kept in the employee's Department Personnel File.
Section 9.8. — Communication Systems
Policy 9.8.561 Shoreline Observation System - Page 3 of 4
Adopted: 04/16/04
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REGARDING THE ACCEPTABLE USE OF
THE SHORELINE OBSERVATION SYSTEM
I, [PRINT NAME] acknowledge that I have read and
understand and acknowledge the Fire Department Policy 9.13.561 - Shoreline Observation
System. I have also read the Communications Equipment and Systems Policy found in
Appendix C of the City Employee Policy Manual. I recognize my responsibilities to use
this system responsibly and to adhere to the policies outlined in these documents. I
further recognize that my willful or negligent failure to fulfill these responsibilities,
including the actions of someone else under my direct supervision, may result in the
abuse of City information resources and that the City may hold me personally responsible
for such abuse.
I further understand, acknowledge, and agree, that I will operate and use the City's
Shoreline Observation System equipment only according to the City's Policy. I
understand and acknowledge that failure to do so will result in discipline, up to and
including, termination.
Employee Signature
Operation's Chief Signature
Dated:
Dated:
Section 9.B.— Communication Systems
Policy 9.8.561 Shoreline Observation System - Page 4 of 4
Adopted: 04/16/04