You guys have too many channels!
I couldn't agree with you more. It's proven to be very confusing and potentially deadly for personnel. There were standards implemented however they are not followed. This is found at all levels. Our communications center has their policies, units in the field have their policies and then there is what actually takes place. The training of personnel at all levels(starting at the top) is less than adequate as well.
The idea was that some specific zones were to be used for specific types of incidents while others were to be used for operations with surrounding jurisdictions. These zones and TG's were to also correspond with specific features of the brand new CAD and mapping system which is being replaced with a NEW new CAD and mapping system.
The complaints by those of us in the field fall on deaf ears anyway. At one time PGFD and PSC set the standard on both operations and tactics. We have now become just another fire department that feels the need to reinvent the wheel for no reason. I was actually told by a member of the management team at PSC(our 911 center) that a reason for a change in the dispatch cadence was because it "sounds cool". If that tells you the mindset that we are now working with. I could go on and on but I'm sure my rant would become tiresome.
So the point here is that we have so many channels basically because we can, not because we need to have so many channels. It's kind of pointless to a point because there is usually only six total fire dispatchers working on a shift. The minimum being four. But hey I'm sure someone got a new Cadillac out of the deal!
I wish I had one of those new digital scanners to help with finding new talkgroups but I think even if I did I wouldn't be able to figure out how to use it. I can't even figure out how to upload new firmware into my PSR400.
If my memory serves me correctly the Special Event Zone I believe is Echo. Delta is our Special Operations Zone and Foxtrot is a fire department admin zone. Foxtrot has various battalion specific and Ops Center TG's. My radios are four time zones away from me right now that's from memory.
Other zones not specific to Prince George's County: We have three DC zones I believe, a handful of MoCo zones, Anne Arundel, two Balto City zones, Calvert, Chuck, Fairfax, Arlingtron, MWAA, RINS, 8TAC, and some other COG system.