Can anyone relate?

[NewSDScanner]

I've been scanning both police and fire for a few years now and one thing I gotta say is that what I've learned about our local public safety is both amazing and invaluable. Of course, I didn't learn it ALL strictly from listening. I've been using radios myself every day for nearly 5 years in my own job and we share a lot of codes with the local PD. I also do emergency dispatch and have a reference page that I learned from because at one point, I was looking into a career in law enforcement as well.

Nevertheless, I know nearly 100% of all of what is/can/or will be said by any fire or police department in this entire area and it's a blast. I don't know one person besides police and fire themselves who know as much as I do about our radio system here. I'm at the point now where without even looking at my radio, based off of the unit numbers, I can tell you not just what dept it is but exactly which fire engine or police officer is going to which call (which beat/station they are in and what shift they are). I feel like I know a foreign language that almost nobody knows that is very practical and useful. Can anyone relate?

 

[SCPD]

Yes, its a great sense of satisfaction. I've been listening to my county (as well as participating) fpr some time now.

The humorous thing about it is when I remember how much I didn't know back in the day, and how much I need to know now.

 

[DickH]

... Can anyone relate?

Of course. Many (most) people here are similar. When I'm out and about, I often think, "those people have no idea about what's really going on in their community". Thinking further, I realize most of them don't give a damn. If the guy in front of them keels over, they either just step over him or quickly go the other way.

 

[NewSDScanner]

Of course. Many (most) people here are similar. When I'm out and about, I often think, "those people have no idea about what's really going on in their community". Thinking further, I realize most of them don't give a damn. If the guy in front of them keels over, they either just step over him or quickly go the other way.

You are 100% right. I was a first responder in an accident that happened the other night right in front of me on a freeway in the fastest lane. Only me and 2 women stopped to help. The rest blew by at full speed sending pieces of car and glass flying onto us while we were trying to help the people.