IFERN Testing

[BudTurpa]

On IFERN this morning I heard MABAS Division Two testing their primary and backup radios with their locals. The calls went something such as "MABAS Division Two Testing. West Dundee how do you read me?" Then West Dundee came on the air and responded "loud and clear." This same procedure happened 6-7 times of MABAS Division Two calling different stations (Carpentersville, Rutland Dundee, Elgin, etc.). Then the dispatcher went around the horn with all the stations again, but this time announcing they were testing with the backup system.

Questions for the forum:

1) These towns being called are centrally dispatched. So for example, when I hear Carpentersville responding back "loud and clear" is that actually a transmission coming from a fire house in Carpentersville? Or, is that the central dispatcher that handles Carpentersville responding back (maybe from even the same building as where the MABAS 2 person is)?

2) If it's the actual station, is a fire fighter jumping on a house radio that always monitors IFERN? Jumping into an engine and using a mobile radio to respond? Other?

3) Is the "backup" that I hear being tested just another backup console radio at MABAS 2 being used?

 

[Mex]

1) These towns being called are centrally dispatched. So for example, when I hear Carpentersville responding back "loud and clear" is that actually a transmission coming from a fire house in Carpentersville? Or, is that the central dispatcher that handles Carpentersville responding back (maybe from even the same building as where the MABAS 2 person is)?

Its usually the duty officer or admin from that district that responds.

2) If it's the actual station, is a fire fighter jumping on a house radio that always monitors IFERN? Jumping into an engine and using a mobile radio to respond? Other?

Most stations should have a base radio monitoring their own dispatch channel as well as surrounding agencies dispatch and IFERN. Some call from rig radios if they are in the rig already. I think there was one today that used a portable but could've been a low power transmitter.

3) Is the "backup" that I hear being tested just another backup console radio at MABAS 2 being used?

Thats how I would consider that, or they're going through a transmitter at a different location from the main one.

 

[kevino]

On IFERN this morning I heard MABAS Division Two testing their primary and backup radios with their locals. The calls went something such as "MABAS Division Two Testing. West Dundee how do you read me?" Then West Dundee came on the air and responded "loud and clear." This same procedure happened 6-7 times of MABAS Division Two calling different stations (Carpentersville, Rutland Dundee, Elgin, etc.). Then the dispatcher went around the horn with all the stations again, but this time announcing they were testing with the backup system.

Questions for the forum:

1) These towns being called are centrally dispatched. So for example, when I hear Carpentersville responding back "loud and clear" is that actually a transmission coming from a fire house in Carpentersville? Or, is that the central dispatcher that handles Carpentersville responding back (maybe from even the same building as where the MABAS 2 person is)?

2) If it's the actual station, is a fire fighter jumping on a house radio that always monitors IFERN? Jumping into an engine and using a mobile radio to respond? Other?

3) Is the "backup" that I hear being tested just another backup console radio at MABAS 2 being used?

If memory serves correct, each MABAS division is supposed to have a primary dispatch center and a back-up dispatch center.

 

[N9JIG]

If memory serves correct, each MABAS division is supposed to have a primary dispatch center and a back-up dispatch center.

Correct but I haven't heard of them doing a roll call during those regular tests. I wonder if this is just Division 2 or if other Divisions are doing this.