Communicating in a disaster

[ten13]

Does anyone recall the Biblical term, "Tower of Babble"?

In most big cities, that's what you would have if "interoperability" was "for real."

Let's keep in mind that this "interoperability" was thought of by politicians who have no idea what an emergency radio system is like, and the idea was run with by small town people who thought it would work well in their....small towns.

Anyone who listened to NYC via any of the recordings from the WTC making the rounds knows that each agency, both FD and PD, were, understandably, in mass confusion, and no amount of "interoperability" was going to prevent or correct that.

They also continue to rehash that NYPD Aviation Unit, with two COPS saying, "It (one of the WTC towers) looks like it's gonna fall down....". What makes these know-nothing politicians think that, in the middle of this total bedlam, someone on the ground was going to accept the off-the-cuff saying of a cop about the structural stability of one of tallest buildings in the world as educated, informed, gospel truth? Frankly, I hope no one would.

"Interoperability" has become a roadway for such companies like Motorola to sell new radio SYSTEMS to agencies flush with Federal funds.

In fact, NYC has put into effect their idea of "interoperability," post-9/11, by putting one UHF frequency in both the FDNY's and NYPD's UHF radios, and that's it.

And it's seldom used.

 

[AK9R]

"Interoperability" has become a roadway for such companies like Motorola to sell new radio SYSTEMS to agencies flush with Federal funds.

Federal funds? No, they aren't Federal funds. They are taxpayer dollars. And we should be very concerned about how they are being spent.

 

[jim202]

Sounds like poor training on the use of interop channels.

Also sounds typical of upper management not wanting to work with other agencies. You will find
that this is very common with department heads around the country. The only way it will change
is for the rank and file to start applying pressure and show the advantages of breaking out of the
"playing in my sandbox" mentality.

In the areas where upper management care about their job and the work that is done, it is amazing
what can be done with the radio equipment that they currently own. It only takes adding a few
radio channels. Then everyone gains the benefits. Maybe even the tax payers.

Jim

As long as the title of communications officer belongs to a person responsible for scheduling dispatchers, you won't see a lot of change. In my county everyone rides a different horse: LEO-s ride the UHF blue horse, EMS rides the VHF white horse, FD's ride their VHF red horse, etc. If one asks what VTAC, UTAC, and ITAC channels are in their radios, you get an uncomprehending stare. You would think that anyone in charge of a PSAP would be required to have a course in radio communications.

Just venting,

Bob

 

[ten13]

"Federal funds? No, they aren't Federal funds. They are taxpayer dollars. And we should be very concerned about how they are being spent."

You are 100% CORRECT! And this, most certainly, brings up another important issue. However, in this era of "tax and spend," don't expect any relief from it....and, for that matter, any type of successful radio system. As long as the money is there to spend, the local politicians will spend it, whether the radio system is adequate or even inefficient.

 

[APTN]

National Guard

Virginia now has gateway systems connected to some 58 dispatch centers in several areas of the state.
These gateways have the normal radio channels that are used every day connected. It only takes a
few mouse clicks to inter connect multiple dispatch centers and their needed radio channels together.

The dispatch centers can even send text messages between the different computers. This allows
for text messages to be sent without tying up a radio channel or the telephone.

The Virginia system is called COMLINC and is online 24/7 for the use as needed. A number of
agencies in the state also have a similar gateway system installed in mobile command vehicles.
You can even use a satellite link for a unit out in the field to connect back to any of the gateways
in the COMLINC system.

Several years back the interop (gateway) system was put out for bids and the Sytech Corp. from
Alexandria, VA won the bid. The gateway goes by the name of RIOS and has a number of version
to pick from. Sort of depends on your application. You can link just about any device that has
audio into another radio device. Doesn't matter what format the radio may be. I have heard good
audio being patched between a Motorola digital trunked system with an EDACS trunked radio and
well as having a conventional analog repeater as a third leg to the patch.

Right after hurricane Katrina, the National Guard came to the same company and ordered 27 systems
that fit into a 16 foot trailer. The intent was these units could be taken any place they were needed.
The size was made to match being able to load them into a C130 for long distance transport. Those
units contained a self support 15x18 foot tent, a 4 ton air conditioner, 2 diesel generators, a UHF repeater
with 25 UHF portables, 2 radio masts and antennas, 2 VHF, 2 UHF and 2 800 MHz radios in a comm
box, the interop gateway with radio interface cables, a fax machine, video telecomm package, tables, chairs and a
few other trinkets like a 1.2 meter satellite link for providing backhaul and internet connections. There was
even a number of IP telephones. The National Guard could take this trailer to a location and be up and
operational in between 30 to 60 minutes after putting the brakes on.

Jim

So how many of these National Guard members were trained in how to operate all of the procured equipment ? One observation I have made of the people I know in the public safety world (I know a few), is that some have a great understanding of radio communications and understand the need for interoperability and some only know push to talk, release to listen. Besides getting depart/agency heads to cooperate, I think members should have some communications training. (Perhaps at least enough to know how to select a pre-selected freuency, talkgroup, or configuration.)