MUTUAL AID LASD

[Over2115]

Hello,
I would like to ask, how actually works Mutual-AID communications in LASD with other agencies like LAPD/LACOFD. For example LAPD dispatch is called Control in MUTUAL-AID "Control from Fire Rescue 11, has a unit been assigned to the reported assault at 7th and Alvarado?" so what`s the name of SCC (LASD DISPATCH) in communications with other agencies? And how does it work, if LASD deputy has a incident with other agencies.

 

[CaptHamster]

Communication between fire units and LASD units over the radio is not common; most of the time the fire units will ask their dispatch to get an update from the relevant Sheriff's station; the fire dispatcher will phone call the Sheriff's station front desk to ask where units are at, if they're cleared to roll in, etc. A fire unit jumping on LASD radio channels was a little more common when the L-Tac channels were on the old analog 480 system but since they've rolled over to LA-RICS, I haven't heard it yet. Jumping on a dispatch channel was also not common because the deputies would be unable to hear what Fire was saying due to the busy tone (unless they were on the patch).

As far as other LE agencies, if they're familiar with LASD they might jump on the SCC Access channel and refer to them as "SCC" but if not they usually just refer to them however is familiar, such as "dispatch" or simply "Sheriff". I recall hearing radio traffic over SCC Access some years ago of an Orange County Sheriff specialized unit that chased a suspect into an LASD area, and I seem to remember them saying "LA Sheriff" when referring to SCC.

As to the other way around, if an LASD Deputy is out of their RD / County, it's pretty rare for them to jump on another agency's frequency unless it's part of a multi-agency task force operation and part of a pre-planned ops plan or something similar. Otherwise, the deputy would just jump on SCC Access or their home frequency and request SCC contact that department on their behalf. There exists a way to patch other agency channels into an LASD dispatch channel or SCC Access but again, very very uncommon.

 

[pb_lonny]

Generally dispacth handles this and you won't hear many caes of the units talking to each other directly, different radio procedures would be one of the main reasons why.

 

[f40ph]

All of this above proves the fact that to be "interoperable" doesn't mean you have to be able to talk on everyone's channel. Dispatchers and Watch Commanders don't want "extra" folks jamming up their primary channel. The most appropriate way to communicate is for both units (Fire and Law for example) to move over to a DIFFERENT channel they have in common and chat over there.

 

[PacScan]

The only time I really hear them talking on each others frequencies is when air units are assisting, and typically only until their own agencies air unit can get there. LA-RICS is trying to fix interoperability in the region with their regional channels. But so far only LAPD Metro units have it programed. Going to be a long road, likely will be better once LAPD moves to their new system.