Murrieta fire transition to RivCo PSEC

[marcotor]

Despite the reasoning and your clear support for encryption, it still doesn’t make sense to me. My opinion that I’m entitled to and you have yours that you’re entitled to as well. No harm, no foul

You misunderstood my comment. I was wondering what the compelling reason would be, looking at what OC did, to not encrypt?

Opinions aside, what "mistake" did OC do in encrypting fire, other than remove our ability to monitor?

 

[brandon]

The reason for encryption is patient privacy. Here are direct quotes what the PIO told me:

"As you may know, over 70% of our annual calls for service are medical-related. MFR will use the PSEC radio system's encryption capabilities to ensure patient privacy. While we understand that some residents may appreciate the ability to monitor fire activity through radio communications, we want to assure you that public safety remains our unwavering top priority. Encryption is a crucial step in safeguarding sensitive patient information, ensuring the highest level of security and privacy for those in a medical emergency."

"We understand the importance of transparency in our operations. While real-time access to dispatch may be limited, MFR remains committed to keeping the community informed. We will continue to provide timely updates through official social media channels, including our website, during emergencies. We invite you to become a subscriber to Pulse Point, a free app that provides real-time emergency alerts, including fire incidents, to stay connected and informed."

Pretty clear where they stand. I am not surprised at all since everything (even not LEO related such as animal control, public works, etc.) are all fully encrypted. I fully expect it will continue as other departments come online. It's a bummer for us scanner enthusiasts, but it is what it is.

 

[tsalmrsystemtech]

You misunderstood my comment. I was wondering what the compelling reason would be, looking at what OC did, to not encrypt?

Opinions aside, what "mistake" did OC do in encrypting fire, other than remove our ability to monitor?

I understand what you are saying on what mistakes were made. Probably no mistakes. I remember when Sherrif Corona was in office they wanted FIRE at the same time when they switched to P25 over 25 years ago. Well they finally got it 5 years ago. This was a budget issues on the XTS 3000 and the XTS 5000 as that time with adding a enc board and everything. Now the cost is very minimun to none. Times just change.

They still have a delay on the internet. Do I agree with it. Don't know. Everybody has their own opinion. No agurement here but I understand. But I will say I agree on who made the decision to stay on UHF-2 like LACOFD and not go over to LA-RICS. Whoever made that decision really knew what was for the best moving forward for now. That's just my opinion. I know you come back and forth on things but its okay. They still have OC FIRE in VHF when they have large FIRE events. Anyways OC is just a lost cause at this point and won't say anything else because what is done is what is done and Riverside County is starting to go down the same road slowly now.

 

[MEDIC135]

The reason for encryption is patient privacy. Here are direct quotes what the PIO told me:



Pretty clear where they stand. I am not surprised at all since everything (even not LEO related such as animal control, public works, etc.) are all fully encrypted. I fully expect it will continue as other departments come online. It's a bummer for us scanner enthusiasts, but it is what it is.

I am a FF/PM for San Bernardino County Fire and this whole HIPPA and “patient privacy” is complete BS and a copout. We never say anything patient related over the radio. When we call into the hospital for report, it’s via cell phone. Plus, they’re still gonna be staying on PP which gives the locations on medical aids when you go to the map. That alone is very contradicting to this whole “patient privacy” argument. My dept at least doesn’t put medical aids on our PP subscription.
I will rest my case on all of this because these depts will do what they want and say what they want and it’s completely out of my control

 

[marcotor]

I am a FF/PM for San Bernardino County Fire and this whole HIPPA and “patient privacy” is complete BS and a copout. We never say anything patient related over the radio. When we call into the hospital for report, it’s via cell phone. Plus, they’re still gonna be staying on PP which gives the locations on medical aids when you go to the map. That alone is very contradicting to this whole “patient privacy” argument. My dept at least doesn’t put medical aids on our PP subscription.
I will rest my case on all of this because these depts will do what they want and say what they want and it’s completely out of my control

I am just confused. "Patient Privacy" had NOTHING to do with the "mistake" of OCFire to encrypt. The OCFA Chief at the time, along with Costa Mesa and Laguna Chiefs, demanded encryption because that was "what the cops have". After he came on, Chief Fennessey thought they could reverse it, at least for OCFA and decided the huge cost involved (about $3 million as the techs would have to touch 26000 subscribers) to "flip a switch" (which it isn't) was not worth it.

You of course are entitled to any opinion you wish, but you do not get to make up your own facts.

 

[marcotor]

Again, I am only asking WHAT "Mistakes" were made?

WHAT MISTAKE?

Please refrain from either "encryption causes problems" or "scanner heroes" arguments, as both are specious.

I would love to be able to listen to my FD and Sheriff, but I cannot. It's what it is, and whining endlessly about it, or posting vague "dark forces" sort of things, isn't going to change anything.

 

[MEDIC135]

I am just confused. "Patient Privacy" had NOTHING to do with the "mistake" of OCFire to encrypt. The OCFA Chief at the time, along with Costa Mesa and Laguna Chiefs, demanded encryption because that was "what the cops have". After he came on, Chief Fennessey thought they could reverse it, at least for OCFA and decided the huge cost involved (about $3 million as the techs would have to touch 26000 subscribers) to "flip a switch" (which it isn't) was not worth it.

You of course are entitled to any opinion you wish, but you do not get to make up your own facts.

My reply you referenced wasn’t even speaking to you or about OCFA so chill with calling me out bub. I was simply stating facts about how you can still see locations for medical aids on PP, we don’t give out any patient info on the radio and I think it’s dumb for a dept to encrypt comms when they still subscribe to PP. So again, get off your high horse thinking everything I’m saying is now directed at you and OCFA. I think encryption for Fire is dumb and that’s that.

 

[AM909]

I can't remember hearing any PII over the radio from the agencies and contractors I've listened to recently. Seems like the exact addresses put on PulsePoint by some agencies are a much bigger threat to patient privacy, in a nice easy-to-consume digital form. :|

 

[tsalmrsystemtech]

I am just confused. "Patient Privacy" had NOTHING to do with the "mistake" of OCFire to encrypt. The OCFA Chief at the time, along with Costa Mesa and Laguna Chiefs, demanded encryption because that was "what the cops have". After he came on, Chief Fennessey thought they could reverse it, at least for OCFA and decided the huge cost involved (about $3 million as the techs would have to touch 26000 subscribers) to "flip a switch" (which it isn't) was not worth it.

You of course are entitled to any opinion you wish, but you do not get to make up your own facts.

I have personally seen the OCFA code plug and OTAP and OTAR is in place. Now if it is working properly or not that is the debate we can't talk about. I know its in place in their code plugs. I was personally told it was a labor cost issue. I stressed the issues about the paid called people on their department and lots of volunteer posistion OCFA has access to and it was not a good idea to fully encrypt. I am pretty sure as a chief he understands that but some hands might be tied between OCFA and OCSD. Obvisouly we all do not know what goes on behind closed door talks with budgets and money allocations and so on. I heard Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach FIRE are hell bent on staying encrypted. This is why you do not see them broadcasting over the internet.