The state of Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN)

[jblackst]

That's incredible. I'd never thought I'd see that day.

Volunterism in the South just isn't like what it is in Northeast US. Add to that, companies in the South generally cover greater service areas, due to a more rural nature of area and suburban sprawl. Then add the fact that there's limited funding (if there's funding at all). Knoxville, and a growing portion of E TN (and the South) have outgrown volunteer models for emergency services delivery. Taxpayers don't want to hear this, as it means they will now have to pay for these services thru either taxes or subscriptions. Nevermind any of the other factors that may have played a part in this change.

KVRS is just the most recent domino to fall. Heiskell Fire about 10 years ago... I'm sure there are more examples, those are just two.

 

[surfacemount]

Volunterism in the South just isn't like what it is in Northeast US. Add to that, companies in the South generally cover greater service areas, due to a more rural nature of area and suburban sprawl. Then add the fact that there's limited funding (if there's funding at all). Knoxville, and a growing portion of E TN (and the South) have outgrown volunteer models for emergency services delivery. Taxpayers don't want to hear this, as it means they will now have to pay for these services thru either taxes or subscriptions. Nevermind any of the other factors that may have played a part in this change.

KVRS is just the most recent domino to fall. Heiskell Fire about 10 years ago... I'm sure there are more examples, those are just two.

I don't know that it's fair to say volunteering is less here than the NE. Especially in non-LEO Public Safety. I think there's a generational thing that they just eschew service above self this time around.
What you say about funding is very true, though, even with Federal granting.
I *completely* agree about volunteer services. Everything has gotten more technical and litigious, and it's unfair to ask that of people that also need to be proficient in their chosen field of employment.
Still, the Rescue Squad has been very strong in this state, but I wondered how long they could last in the urban centers. Guess now I know.

 

[ccfire]

Does anyone know what tgid this is 11640 I caught it for a brief second on Oswald dome

 

[jblackst]

Does anyone know what tgid this is 11640 I caught it for a brief second on Oswald dome

Not sure, but it's in a group of mainly other Federal user agencies (ATF, USMS, DEA, etc). Haven't seen that specific TG popup in Knoxville in two years.

 

[zachgallop]

Does anyone know what tgid this is 11640 I caught it for a brief second on Oswald dome

If I remember correctly, that Talkgroup is “DEA CHAT” for DEA Chattanooga. DEA around Knox and other parts rarely if ever uses their own set of TGs on TACN from my findings. Typically you will find them on other TACN channels for their operations.

 

[ccfire]

Got a question in regards to the talk group id's say the decimal does each county have a pre determined set for example monroe county is in the 9500s as they come online or do they just randomly pick them

 

[buddrousa]

The admins have set aside TG's per county

 

[JW_Knox]

Been hearing AMR EMS in Knox County dispatching ALS units on TG 10694, which is listed in the database as the 'EMS 500' channel. Anyone know if TG designations have changed recently for AMR on TACN? Thanks!

 

[jblackst]

Looking at TG 10694, all of the traffic today was three dispatch positions radios (confirmed), perhaps someone was simul-selecting at dispatch? M746 was on there once today at 0657. Three other units joined that TGID earlier this week, but no TX.

On the other hand, the AMR Med-102 TG (10690) is seeing more and more traffic, but still nowhere the normal amount of expected dispatch traffic. I'm not aware of what AMRs specific transition plan is for TACN.

 

[JW_Knox]

Looking at TG 10694, all of the traffic today was three dispatch positions radios (confirmed), perhaps someone was simul-selecting at dispatch? M746 was on there once today at 0657. Three other units joined that TGID earlier this week, but no TX.

On the other hand, the AMR Med-102 TG (10690) is seeing more and more traffic, but still nowhere the normal amount of expected dispatch traffic. I'm not aware of what AMRs specific transition plan is for TACN.

Thanks! I figured they were either testing a separate channel or had an inadvertent simul-select issue.

Another question: I hear R/M Fire dispatching on TG 10650, but I am not hearing station tones prior to the dispatch info being relayed. Are they only sending tones out on analog?

 

[zachgallop]

Thanks! I figured they were either testing a separate channel or had an inadvertent simul-select issue.

Another question: I hear R/M Fire dispatching on TG 10650, but I am not hearing station tones prior to the dispatch info being relayed. Are they only sending tones out on analog?

Yes, they are, and after the tones the voice announcement goes over VHF & TACN simultaneously. Knox County Rescue is still using their VHF Dispatch for tones/alerting as well. But for responses and other communications they seem to be using a mix of VHF and TACN. Their Rescue Boat out on FT. Loudon Lake did not apparently have 800 capabilities recently on a Boat Fire and Marina Fire on the Lake, so the Rescue Boat was on VHF, and RMFD Firefighters were on TACN. Hopefully that is fixed soon by carrying portables on the TACN System when they are out on the boat, replace the mobile on the rescue boat, or put another mobile on the rescue boat soon.

 

[JW_Knox]

Yes, they are, and after the tones the voice announcement goes over VHF & TACN simultaneously. Knox County Rescue is still using their VHF Dispatch for tones/alerting as well. But for responses and other communications they seem to be using a mix of VHF and TACN. Their Rescue Boat out on FT. Loudon Lake did not apparently have 800 capabilities recently on a Boat Fire and Marina Fire on the Lake, so the Rescue Boat was on VHF, and RMFD Firefighters were on TACN. Hopefully that is fixed soon by carrying portables on the TACN System when they are out on the boat, replace the mobile on the rescue boat, or put another mobile on the rescue boat soon.

Ah ok, that makes sense. I wonder if they plan on eventually toning out on TACN like KFD and Karns? That said, Roane County has had TACN for a few years now, and they still tone out on analog and dispatch on TACN, so who knows?

 

[jblackst]

Speaking with a couple of people at RM, their in station alert systems are still very much tied to VHF (IIRC even some as far back as Minitor IIs). I believe they are planning on moving them to TACN, but I was told there's no timeframe (yet).

 

[zachgallop]

Anyone have any information about Cannon County switching to TACN? There was a post on the TACN Facebook page about Cannon County EMA, Sheriff’s Office, and EMS joining onto the system. They had a press release event for it.

 

[FFPM571]

Anyone have any information about Cannon County switching to TACN? There was a post on the TACN Facebook page about Cannon County EMA, Sheriff’s Office, and EMS joining onto the system. They had a press release event for it.

There are other near by counties in Mid Tennessee that are going to go on the system before that and there are only so many resources to upgrade the infrastructure and subscriber units...

 

[ccfire]

Another talk group I'd for Monroe County 9536 just found it

 

[zachgallop]

Some Anderson County EMA Units are utilizing TACN TG "8529" to communicate with Anderson County 911 for a Tractor Trailer Fire with HAZMAT on I75. It is being referred to as "FIRE OPS 1". It has been submitted to the database.

 

[zachgallop]

Oliver Springs VFD is currently in the process of receiving and buying additional radios for TACN so they can switch over to the system. APRA funding from Anderson County and some additional money from their budget will get the department 16 or 20 portable radios. There was some changes with the quote amount so the amount of radios that it will purchase has not been determined for certain. They already have 4 people with radios capable of operating on TACN as well. They also have mobiles that are capable of operating on TACN already ordered. OSVFD believes that will be on the system in about 3 months. This is possible because the Anderson County Commission gave every Fire Department and the Rescue Squad $50,000 out of their American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. The commission also gave the city departments money as well. It was also stated that Norris and Rocky Top are buying radios to go TACN as well. Also, Anderson County EMA will be buying additional radios through a DOE grant.

 

[aj4wp]

Another talk group I'd for Monroe County 9536 just found it

Thanks, do you know what Frequecnys or how Meigs County, TN is working it now?

 

[ccfire]

Thanks, do you know what Frequecnys or how Meigs County, TN is working it now?

only from what I have read on here that Meigs county is on the tacn except for their sheriff who apparently is on what use to be dalton communications but that's all I know