The following article appeared in the fall State EMS Newsletter.
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/em/EMSNewsletterFall2006.pdf
By Ron Lutz
A set of 21 Mutual Aid Channel talk groups are programmed into each 800 MHz radio that uses the statewide digital trunking system (DTR). These are also known as the MAC channels, and talk groups allow multiple agencies to directly communicate when an incident requires interagency coordination. MAC talk group names likely will be displayed on the radio, for example, as “M 2 MET” or “MAC 2,” although some local naming variations may have been used. For this discussion, the latter naming convention will be used.
Colorado is divided into five MAC regions, and each region is allocated four MAC
channels. MAC MET is allocated MAC 1-4; MAC NE, MAC 5-8; MAC SE, MAC 9-12;
MAC SW, MAC 13-16; and MAC NW, MAC 17-20. The MAC 21 talk group is used
statewide. The first MACs in each region (MACs 1, 5, 9, 13 and 17) have been designated for interregional mutual aid coordination and communications. They also have been designated as the contact talk group for any DTR user coming into the region who needs to
communicate with an agency in the region. These five talk groups are monitored at
dispatch centers; the remaining ones typically are not.
Use of the MAC channels is described in the Consolidated Communications Network of Colorado (CCNC) Standard Operating Procedures found at www.ccncinc.org/userdocs/SOP/CCNC Master SOPs rev1.pdf. Agencies that will be using a MAC channel for an activity, such as a drill, should notify the
dispatch center for the MAC region to avoid having the channel assigned for another activity. The Mutual Aid Channel regional boundaries recently have been redrawn to more closely align with, but not exactly to, the All Hazards Emergency Management Regions. To view a larger version of the current Mutual Aid Region map, go to the CCNC Web site at www.ccncinc.org/web/StateDTRMACS2006.htm. The CCNC home page at www.ccncinc.org contains additional information regarding the statewide DTR such as system information, training documents, rebanding information and other related items.
Ron Lutz, BS, MTel, is the State Telecommunication Services liaison to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and can be reached at ron.lutz@state.co.us
DTR Mutual Aid Channels Mutual Aid Channel Region Boundaries
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/em/EMSNewsletterFall2006.pdf
By Ron Lutz
A set of 21 Mutual Aid Channel talk groups are programmed into each 800 MHz radio that uses the statewide digital trunking system (DTR). These are also known as the MAC channels, and talk groups allow multiple agencies to directly communicate when an incident requires interagency coordination. MAC talk group names likely will be displayed on the radio, for example, as “M 2 MET” or “MAC 2,” although some local naming variations may have been used. For this discussion, the latter naming convention will be used.
Colorado is divided into five MAC regions, and each region is allocated four MAC
channels. MAC MET is allocated MAC 1-4; MAC NE, MAC 5-8; MAC SE, MAC 9-12;
MAC SW, MAC 13-16; and MAC NW, MAC 17-20. The MAC 21 talk group is used
statewide. The first MACs in each region (MACs 1, 5, 9, 13 and 17) have been designated for interregional mutual aid coordination and communications. They also have been designated as the contact talk group for any DTR user coming into the region who needs to
communicate with an agency in the region. These five talk groups are monitored at
dispatch centers; the remaining ones typically are not.
Use of the MAC channels is described in the Consolidated Communications Network of Colorado (CCNC) Standard Operating Procedures found at www.ccncinc.org/userdocs/SOP/CCNC Master SOPs rev1.pdf. Agencies that will be using a MAC channel for an activity, such as a drill, should notify the
dispatch center for the MAC region to avoid having the channel assigned for another activity. The Mutual Aid Channel regional boundaries recently have been redrawn to more closely align with, but not exactly to, the All Hazards Emergency Management Regions. To view a larger version of the current Mutual Aid Region map, go to the CCNC Web site at www.ccncinc.org/web/StateDTRMACS2006.htm. The CCNC home page at www.ccncinc.org contains additional information regarding the statewide DTR such as system information, training documents, rebanding information and other related items.
Ron Lutz, BS, MTel, is the State Telecommunication Services liaison to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and can be reached at ron.lutz@state.co.us
DTR Mutual Aid Channels Mutual Aid Channel Region Boundaries
