PG County Fire Radio ???

[zerg901]

For Prince Georges County Fire Department in Maryland -

Can anyone confirm that Channel 1 is the home channel for all radios? (In other words, if a unit is not assigned to a call, then their radios should be listening to Channel 1.)

I assume that once a unit is assigned to a call, they switch all of their radios to EMS North, EMS South, or 1 of the other response channels.

What channel are car crashes handled on?

When are the simplex tac channels used?

What radio IDs are used for portable radios? Engine 512 Alpha - Engine 512 Bravo - etc ?

Peter Sz

 

[chief34a]

Channel 1 is the main dispatch channel. If the unit is not on a call, then they should be on channel 1. For local alarms such as dumpster fires, car fires, wires down, etc the units respond on channel 1 and remain on channel one. For street alarms or box alarms (2 or more units responding) such as gas leaks inside of structures, building fires etc., the units will respond on the fireground channel that they are directed to during the dispatch. These are usually channels 3,4 9,and 10.

EMS units also are channel 1 until they are dispatched and then they move to channel 2 (in the north) or channel 7 (in the south). Car crashes are on channel 2/7 unless there is an indication that there is someone trapped or ejected. Units are then sent to channel 8 for that operation.

Simplex tac channels are rarely used except when poor radio coverage at the fireground requires it or 2 units want a "private" conversation that are close to each other.

Verbal radio ID's for the portables are varied. When not on the call the officer in charge will generally use the units number (engine834). On firegrounds at times they will use the unit number along with the position of the individual (engine834 driver to engine 834 officer). Some stations use the ABC method. There are no set rules at this time.

Hope that takes care of your questions.......

 

[zerg901]

Chief34a - thanks for your reply.

When I was living in College Park around 1990 - Ch 1 was fire and ems dispatch - Ch 2 was EMS response - Ch 3/5 or Ch 4/6 was fireground. I dont know what they did before that.

Peter Sz

 

[ka3jjz]

Speaking of which, has there been any developments in regards to PG fire moving over to the new TDMA system? I know it's not supposed to happen until the Bowie complex is completed...

I had heard a (very unsubstantiated) rumor that Fire would stay with Phase 1 (making it monitorable) because at least some of members already had scanners...73 Mike

 

[chief34a]

Connection between the old (490) and new system was started a couple of weeks ago. I have been told there are some audio problems and they are working them out. Good thing they did this early and didn't wait until the last minute! Bowie complex is under roof and weather tight. Interior work is in progress.

I don't know where you heard that rumor but there is no chance that would happen. To be blunt, the county government doesn't care if it can be monitored with a scanner or not, and it would be a major negative impact on the system if fire stayed in the FDMA configeration.

 

[lawman349]

Chief34a- When do the new station alerting and station monitoring freqs go online?

also, is the monitoring freq going to be 155.685 as planned?

 

[chief34a]

Last word is that it will go online after the new communications center in Bowie is in service. They had a ribbon cutting at it yesterday but are a long way from being in operation. ETA around February. The station monitoring freq will remain 155.685 and is actually on the air now but not hooked up to anything.

 

[Dank]

Bowie compex

... Bowie complex is under roof and weather tight. Interior work is in progress.

.

Sorry to be off topic but since your are familiar with the facility maybe you can confirm a rumor. A while back I heard that all of the walls had been completed before they realized that a piece of equipment was still inside. Supposedly the main entrance and some of he floor had to be ripped out to get it out.

Thanks.

 

[chief34a]

Haven't heard that one but with PG County government involved just about anything could happen.........

 

[baybum]

It was Mr. Johnson's safe. Wouldn't fit through the door.

sorry...couldn't resist