One of the findings from the 9/11 commission was the inability for emergency responders to effectively communicate to each other. The radio communications infrastructure of the City of New York was not able to handle the volume of radio traffic transmitted and most rescuers could not advise of their condition, locations, or send out maydays. Many of today's leading municipalities have "migrated" to the use of 800 mgh radios. These radios transmit/receive on a frequency that is close to cellular phones and microwaves. By using computers to "steer" the radio transmissions through different channels the users are able to use only a relatively few frequencies to talk to a large amount of end users. BUT, there are some limitations to this technology. 800 mgh, like microwave, is a "line of sight" technology. This means that the radio antenna must have an unobstructed "path" to other antenna on the group. How this effects the end user (the firefighters, police officer, EMT) is that in some situations the radio can not receive or transmit. This is prevalent in large buildings, or in basements. Also you just can't go and buy a radio at a swap meet (maybe a stolen one) and use it. Each radio has what the manufacture calls a "personality". This means that each radio is uniquely identified by the controlling computer. Additionally these radios can cost around 2 - 3 grand each. The NFPA standard for firefighter health and safety is NFPA 1500. Part of this standard, along with OSHA CFR 29.1910.120 requires each firefighter to have a portable radio when they enter a dangerous location or atmosphere. My crew alone carries 12,000 dollars worth of radios on their persons, not including the radios in the trucks. How does this effect the volunteers. CASH MONEY BABY.
Many volunteer departments are struggling to pay their gasoline and fuel bills. A radio for every firefighter is a luxury only Santa can bring. Their is cheaper technologies available, but reliability is an issue. I have heard of some departments using CB radios. Can you imagine that dialogue:
Dispatcher: "Engine 4, Ladder 2, Squad 2. Report of a house fire on county road 405"
Engine 4: "Engine 4 is responding"
Trucker: "Hell, where can a fella find a Cracker Barrell, come-back?"
Dispatcher: "User on this channel could you standby for a minute for emergency users?"
Trucker: "Sure foxy-lady. What is your 20?"
You get the picture.
Is their a solution? Who knows. That's is the great thing about an obscure editorial buried deeply in the world wide web. I can gripe without giving a solution. Until next time, Make love* not war!!!!.
* and by love I mean crazy monkey love. Kris
Monday, November 27, 2006
Volunteer Fire Wars Part 2: "Is this thing on?"
One of the findings from the 9/11 commission was the inability for emergency responders to effectively communicate to each other. The radio communications infrastructure of the City of New York was not able to handle the volume of radio traffic transmitted and most rescuers could not advise of their condition, locations, or send out maydays. Many of today's leading municipalities have "migrated" to the use of 800 mgh radios. These radios transmit/receive on a frequency that is close to cellular phones and microwaves. By using computers to "steer" the radio transmissions through different channels the users are able to use only a relatively few frequencies to talk to a large amount of end users. BUT, there are some limitations to this technology. 800 mgh, like microwave, is a "line of sight" technology. This means that the radio antenna must have an unobstructed "path" to other antenna on the group. How this effects the end user (the firefighters, police officer, EMT) is that in some situations the radio can not receive or transmit. This is prevalent in large buildings, or in basements. Also you just can't go and buy a radio at a swap meet (maybe a stolen one) and use it. Each radio has what the manufacture calls a "personality". This means that each radio is uniquely identified by the controlling computer. Additionally these radios can cost around 2 - 3 grand each. The NFPA standard for firefighter health and safety is NFPA 1500. Part of this standard, along with OSHA CFR 29.1910.120 requires each firefighter to have a portable radio when they enter a dangerous location or atmosphere. My crew alone carries 12,000 dollars worth of radios on their persons, not including the radios in the trucks. How does this effect the volunteers. CASH MONEY BABY.
Many volunteer departments are struggling to pay their gasoline and fuel bills. A radio for every firefighter is a luxury only Santa can bring. Their is cheaper technologies available, but reliability is an issue. I have heard of some departments using CB radios. Can you imagine that dialogue:
Dispatcher: "Engine 4, Ladder 2, Squad 2. Report of a house fire on county road 405"
Engine 4: "Engine 4 is responding"
Trucker: "Hell, where can a fella find a Cracker Barrell, come-back?"
Dispatcher: "User on this channel could you standby for a minute for emergency users?"
Trucker: "Sure foxy-lady. What is your 20?"
You get the picture.
Is their a solution? Who knows. That's is the great thing about an obscure editorial buried deeply in the world wide web. I can gripe without giving a solution. Until next time, Make love* not war!!!!.
* and by love I mean crazy monkey love. Kris
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Crazy Monkeys make love not war? Must have missed that class in sex ed. What's a crimson and cream schooner? Is that a red beer with foam in a big mug? Rock Chalk Jay Hawk, Kick a little Florida Ass for you. Mud
Post a Comment