MECA Communication Van

[FD_1226]

What talk groups should I monitor when the MECA COMM-VAN is out on scene.

I have ID 16720 COMM-VAN but I never hear anything on there expect for them to open the doors when they return to base.

 

[Radio_Cowboy]

When I was back in the Indy area between Christmas and New Years, I heard a couple IFD working fires, and they requested the COMM VAN, and when the van came on scene, they reported to the IC on the fire talkgroup in which the incident was working. Since most MECA personall have alpha pagers, I would imagine this is how they are "dispatched"...not via radio.




-RC-

 

[fire4456]

unless things have changed since i have been in the area the last reply is somewhat correct. Most if not all people have meca pagers that gives then the run info plus they are also given this on dispatch at the stations via their station terminals most of the agencies have a 9 button control panel that gives control a pre mad message ie on scene enroute. most of the voice traffic is for working fires or instruction to people. you should monitor all the listed channels for tacticcals county fire units so forth. don't worry about the admin channels normally fireground 1-6 are the most active. try this and see what happens

 

[Ten7traffic]

The Comm-Van is dispatched VIA pager. The only thing that you will ever hear via radio traffic is them leaving the center, and returning. Once on scene they are on what ever talk group that incident is on.

 

[Radio_Cowboy]

ahhh cool.


So what exactly is the COMM VAN? Is it a portable repeater system in the van deployed to fire scenes where communications with the regular system is bad? OR is it just a van with spare radios and batteries for the firefighters when out on large incidents?




-RC-

 

[Ten7traffic]

The comm-van has radios and batterys for fire and police. It is used at special events, (Indy 500, Brickyard 400, etc). It pretty much is a mobile dispatch center on wheels. Not nessecarly used on fire incidents but also SWAT call outs, natural disasters, major police incidents so on and so forth.

 

[fire4456]

hey 10-7 traffic look at my pot and see if i was somewhat correct. I used to be on wayne when medic 4 was at station 2 and this is how they got their runs . It has been awhile since i have been down there do most people still have the alpha pagers. Almost everbody that i knew as a medic had them.

 

[Ten7traffic]

Yea you are correct, If I am correct then they used MDT's then. Now they have Laptop computers. Some still have MDT's but most have Laptops.

 

[FD_1226]

I just heard the MECA Van dispatched by IFD Dispatch to assist Franklin Township with a Search and Rescue operation.

Has anyone ever heard them dispatched like this before?

 

[fire4456]

yes it is very helpful especially when you never know who they are inviting in to help them. There probably many agencies involved and meca van can set up special talkgroups handout meca radios and also setup patches to help that big word of interoperability. Big help at any time.