IPN vs. Carolina Fire Page for Charlotte Area

[bonus1331]

I've looked in to both. I know that IPN covers both Police and Fire while CFP only covers fire. Is anyone subscribing to either or both? Which has more traffic or dispatchers for the CharMark Metro area?
Any other information on why one is preferred over the other would be helpful. Was thinking of trying a month on one of these services.
Thanks

 

[KE4ZNR]

David,
You might call me biased as I have been around CFP as a member & dispatcher since basically the beginning but I would have to say CFP is the top dog in both North & South Carolina Emergency Incident Coverage....as far as charlotte is concerned CFP not only receives info directly from the 911 center and department firefighters we also get info from the official department PIO...meaning our info is dead on accurate...feel free to stop by the CFP website and get in contact with Jeff Harkey, the owner....he will show you proof that CFP is the absolute best emergency notification network in NC/SC....
Marshall Sherard KE4ZNR CFP[714]

 

[bonus1331]

Does CFP have quite a few dispatchers in the area to ensure adequate coverage for all hours?

 

[KE4ZNR]

Does CFP have quite a few dispatchers in the area to ensure adequate coverage for all hours?

Yep...our track record stands for itself...we provide timely and reliable info for NC & SC...

Here is a sample from Tuesday evening:

CFP3: CHARLOTTE (MECK) *2nd ALM* PENHURST TERRACE. 2-STY HSE, HVY FIRE ATTIC.
SECOND ALM CANCELLED. E24s STILL. HVY TSTORMS IN AREA (3419FC) [700] 90/300

CFP3: CHARLOTTE (MECK) *WORKING FIRE* 6400 BLK OF TOMAHAWK LN. HOUSE FIRE, W/F
BY ORDERS OF ENG 21. W/F COs: BC3 R10 E25. [700] 90/300

We also give subscribers breaking news alerts from across the US...like from yesterday:

CFP NATIONAL (1) WASHINGTON, DC *EVACUATION* WHITE HOUSE AND CAPITOL EVACUATED.
FIGHTER JETS SCRAMBLED. UNKN CIRCUMSTANCES [700] 9999

CFP NATIONAL (1) U/D1 WASHINGTON, DC *EVACUATION* REPORTS INDICATE THIS
EVACUATION IS RELATED TO SMALL PLANE IN RESTRICTED AIR SPACE. [700] 9999

CFP NATIONAL (1) U/D2 WASHINGTON, DC *ALL CLEAR-ALL CLEAR* STAND DOWN ON
EVACUATIONS. *FINAL* [700] 9999

You can choose from several different levels of service so that you have the option of just getting local info or getting Nationwide info along with local info...Severe Weather alerts are also included...and you can have the pages delivered to an Email address, text enabled cell phone, text pager, etc...feel free to email me at CFP714@carolinasfirepage.com if you have other questions! Marshall KE4ZNR CFP[714]

 

[Bill28227]

Does CFP do police activities in the Charlotte area too or just fire? If they do police how low in priority does it go? For example, do they do car crash fatal, PI, damage only . . . ?

 

[Robbyboy]

Jumping in on the CFP vs IPN debate. IPN only has 10-15 dispatchers for the whole state of NC. Many of the pages that I have noted from IPN, CFP was first on. Very little of what IPN puts out for NC is first hand, the little bit that they do publish, is usually minor things. I would place CFP hands down over IPN, but again, thats me.

 

[bonus1331]

From just the websites, it sems IPN has two benefits that I would perceive:
-Police coverage
-The ability to control what type and what TIME you receive pages.
Does CFP cover any police activity?

 

[Robbyboy]

In regards to this fact... Yes, IPN has alot of bells and whistles (Control of time to receive pages, police coverage, etc).

CFP Does not have a way to shut off the pages during specific times, we do have police coverage but it has to be a media worthy item.

IPN has an ambitious goal for nationwide indicent coverage which given the nature of our hobby is nearly impossible. They have bells and whistles but at times, it is not what you need. IPN cannot necessarially provide that first man on the radio coverage that the local notification networks provide. If you are feeling ambitious, go ahead and try IPN. You will see that their pages are primarially received from CFP in regards to NC incidents. Many of the multi alarm incidents that come across the NC Chapter have CFP as their source.

Will CFP miss calls? 100%, I do not know of a single incident notification network that does nail EACH AND EVERY CALL. Many of our affiliates provide us with info from time to time, as we provide them as well.

Hands down, CFP is the premier indicent notification network in the Carolinas. I have dispatched for several notification networks, BNN before the big sting where they got caught cloning pagers of senior officials. FPNJ before I moved out west. and now CFP for the past year. CFP has one of the best systems in place and I am proud to be a part of their system.

From just the websites, it sems IPN has two benefits that I would perceive:
-Police coverage
-The ability to control what type and what TIME you receive pages.
Does CFP cover any police activity?