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DaveNF2G
Guest
There are a number of new radio systems that represent an attempt at a technological solution to a human problem. I'm referring to the "interoperable" P25 systems being built, where the old communications stovepipes still exist. This is not because the new radio systems lack the capability to eliminate them, but because the users lack the will to do so.
I will cite one simple example.
Saratoga's new P25 trunked system has several talkgroups that are designated for police/fire/EMS interoperability. Police agencies do respond to fire and EMS calls. Yet never once have I heard a dispatcher notify a responding police unit of the talkgroup that has been assigned (by personnel in the same room) to fire and EMS at the scene.
I don't mean to imply that police and fire people absolutely must talk to each other on the radio during every mutual response incident. But the means to do so, while technologically present, are not being made available to all of the first response agencies, apparently due to missing dispatch protocols.
What happens when a fire official wants to tell the police something, or vice versa? Exactly what has always happened regardless of the available technology - the information gets relayed through a dispatcher.
All of the fancy equipment in the world will not change human behavior all by itself. Somebody needs to address policies and procedures as well.
I will cite one simple example.
Saratoga's new P25 trunked system has several talkgroups that are designated for police/fire/EMS interoperability. Police agencies do respond to fire and EMS calls. Yet never once have I heard a dispatcher notify a responding police unit of the talkgroup that has been assigned (by personnel in the same room) to fire and EMS at the scene.
I don't mean to imply that police and fire people absolutely must talk to each other on the radio during every mutual response incident. But the means to do so, while technologically present, are not being made available to all of the first response agencies, apparently due to missing dispatch protocols.
What happens when a fire official wants to tell the police something, or vice versa? Exactly what has always happened regardless of the available technology - the information gets relayed through a dispatcher.
All of the fancy equipment in the world will not change human behavior all by itself. Somebody needs to address policies and procedures as well.