Houston, we read you!

[Ben6308]

Tonight, I had my handheld scanner with me in my room, having it scan just the pre-set FIRE/EMRG banks...just to see if anything was going on.

Guess what came up? Houston Fire Dept Dispatch on 453.42500. I heard the automated dispatch thing going off, then heard the call, and thought it was HFD. Surely enough!

I can't believe the handheld picked up Houston.

Lindsay- have you picked up HFD dispatch? Heck...I have enough trouble trying to pick up the Engines on Bexar Co Fire!!

 

[scanfan03]

So, did you like it or what. I think the thing sounds terrible!! :twisted:

 

[waynesewell]

I think it talks too slow, and takes too much time to dispatch. Unless I lock it out, I can't hear much of anything else.

 

[Ben6308]

I've heard it before, there is streaming audio on the internet for it.

I can see how it would help the dispatchers by alleviating workload, especially because of HFD's high call volume. However, the tones are annoying, it is hard to hear the first part (what the call is...such as "Fall"). I also don't like how it doesn't dispatch them twice...or repeat vital parts.

However, all of HFD uses the MDT's so I guess they don't really need it. However, one of the medics got chewed out by the dispatcher the other day for not listening to the radio, and only using the MDT.

 

[scanfan03]

You can't blame them for not listening to the radio. I wouldn't.

 

[precoislen]

What is the purpose behind the automated voice dispatching system for HPD? I lock it out when in Houston. With their call volume that would be very grating on the nerves, and by the time it dispatches the units have rolled, so it would appear redundant, unless something is stipulated that they have to vocally dispatch, somehow.

My $0.02

 

[scanfan03]

What is the purpose behind the automated voice dispatching system for HPD? I lock it out when in Houston. With their call volume that would be very grating on the nerves, and by the time it dispatches the units have rolled, so it would appear redundant, unless something is stipulated that they have to vocally dispatch, somehow.

My $0.02

HPD doesn't have one that i know of (At least Northwest, North Shephard, Special Ops, and Citywide doesn't), HFD has one.

 

[Ben6308]

Well, it does make me wonder. I don't think they have any special tones for each station. So, when units are in the station...do they have to listen to all those dispatches and wait for their number? Or...perhaps they use pagers too?7

 

[precoislen]

Did I type HPD I meant HFD.

 

[scanfan03]

Well, it does make me wonder. I don't think they have any special tones for each station. So, when units are in the station...do they have to listen to all those dispatches and wait for their number? Or...perhaps they use pagers too?7

They use Pagers and MDTs

 

[fire-medic8104]

Each station has a radio watch guy, that sits in a room and monitors the MDT and listens to the radio.

 

[precoislen]

Man... talk about an long shift.

What about at night, same radio watch guy, or do they have any station alerting. I know that computer dispatch thing goes on at night too.

Seems like an awful odd way to dispatch, but it must work it wouldn't be in use.

 

[fire-medic8104]

They takes turns, but there is a station alerting. It makes a tone and turns on all the lights, but there is a bed in the radio room that someone always sleeps in.

 

[Ben6308]

Wow...I'll bet that isn't a very fun job. :shock: