BC Radio Policy

[voyager9]

bricker252 said:

I think they should sign on with what job they will be doing for the call, like if you get called in for R.I.T. then I think they should sign on as R.I.T. XXXX

Just a minor correction: They should sign on as how they were dispatched for the call. What they'll be doing at the call, while probably the same, is up the IC. For example 311 could be dispatched as an Engine and then assigned RIT on arrival if the assigned RIT company is delayed/not available.

This assumes they're dispatched as a type (Engine/Ladder..etc). I've noticed recently a lot of generic "Station" dispatches: Station 362, Station 363 for example.

[FirstDue312]

I don't like the lack of repeating the stations being dispatched. Does repeating the stations really hurt anything. Its not like we're broadcasting over response channels or ops channels and endangering anybodys life. But I know for me at 2 AM and that pager goes off, I'm dazed and confused and hard pressed to be able to hear if its RIT 311 going out or Ladder 312 into Mt. Laurel. And then I look like a bumbling idiot when I'm the only one up there, like wheres everyone else.

[Kramer]

well, cant think of anywhere else this would fit, but is everyone else having problems with the handheld batteries dying all the time and not holding a charge?

[3105]

firstdue312 said:

I don't like the lack of repeating the stations being dispatched. Does repeating the stations really hurt anything. Its not like we're broadcasting over response channels or ops channels and endangering anybodys life. But I know for me at 2 AM and that pager goes off, I'm dazed and confused and hard pressed to be able to hear if its RIT 311 going out or Ladder 312 into Mt. Laurel. And then I look like a bumbling idiot when I'm the only one up there, like wheres everyone else.

Sean....correct me if I err...ss I understand it, after an extensive review of the system and the problems that have been encountered, apparently F1 (Dispatch) is the bottleneck. Since there are no alternative dispatch channels, Central needed to shorten transmit time on F1 to speed up the process, especially during high volume times....

[thelurker]

kramer411 said:

well, cant think of anywhere else this would fit, but is everyone else having problems with the handheld batteries dying all the time and not holding a charge?

With these portables now more than ever you need as battery conditioner, and you need to follow the manufacturer's charging instructions. We had a big problem with dying batteries, and had to replace a bunch. Also, when you replace the batteries, make sure to buy the same ones, they are expensive, but the cheap ones aren't lasting either.

[WebBoss]

You are correct.

The original proposal was to only make the dispatch statement once. Apparently, as I've been told, the EMS community requested that we re-add the address and nature repeat back into the dispatch statement, which is what led up to what we have now. Personally, I agree that we have not gained much of anything out of this, and it seems like it has fallen into the relms of breaking something that wasn't broken.

To think, all this was done so we could accomplish Box numbers and descriptive, plain text dispatches. So much for that I guess.

[WebBoss]

thelurker said:

kramer411 said:

well, cant think of anywhere else this would fit, but is everyone else having problems with the handheld batteries dying all the time and not holding a charge?

With these portables now more than ever you need as battery conditioner, and you need to follow the manufacturer's charging instructions. We had a big problem with dying batteries, and had to replace a bunch. Also, when you replace the batteries, make sure to buy the same ones, they are expensive, but the cheap ones aren't lasting either.

In 27, we have a conditioner that we swap that batteries across every once in a while. There's also enough spare batteries that the portables don't sit in the chargers, just the spare batteries. At shift change, we simply swap out the batteries.

The Squad also got the newer mobile chargers that have a built in conditioning feature that seems to be working real well. I guess the little bit of extra cost initially is probably better then purchasing extra batteries every year.

[ENG27SQ]

We had to go through the wonderful process of spending the $$$ on new batteries, most of the original ones just burned out and wouldn't hold a charge for more then 3 or 4 minutes.

A conditioner is definitely a great solution to keep the spares charged. We just have to remember to swap them out every day or at shift change. Same goes for the TIC spare battery, I see a lot of companies that just leave the spare in for a weeks time which in reality, burns it out. We swap ours every 12 hours to avoid the charger from over-charging it and thus ruining it.

I'll never ever ever believe a manufacturer when their little slip on how to charge batteries says "Once battery is fully charged, the charger turns off." because thats a load of b@$*#%^.

[Kramer]

yea, at all my departments we are getting the lovely dead battery chirp after about 5 mins of use(if that). 2 of the departments have conditioners and it really doesnt seem like its helpin. the radios are pretty much glorified paperweights(or good forcible entry tools)

[ENG27SQ]

Hence why I love having the Ops only portable we bought. The battery on mine has lasted over a month after a 3 day charge. Never once have I had to replace it. Love that thing.

[3105]

This battery conditioner thing has been bugging me for several years now, ever since I saw the one at 272 which had been configured to condition batteries for portable radios AS WELL AS the TIC.....a fantastic idea until you try to actually find one. I contacted the manufacturer only to find they went out of business.

If anyone knows of a company that makes a conditioner for radio and TIC batteries, please let me kno...

[WebBoss]

Papa Cheese... Let me help you out some...

www.advancetec.com/product_productLine.asp?division_id=2&category_id=17&product_line_id=28

As far as also doing the TIC batteries, I'm not sure if you can double them up on here too with the right adapter, but if not, those conditioners are pretty cheap to add on.

[3105]

Muchas gracis, compadre.....

[ENG27SQ]

Ok Sean your a central..guy haha.

Is there any chance or something about Time Out being implemented? I heard some Chiefs want it from previous meetings but I also heard there wasn't enough want for it.

[WebBoss]

I'll be more then happy to announce the time out as long as it's proceeded with "KMG365"

[ENG27SQ]

Hahaha. I'll do that next time I ride the seat. Should I sign on as "Engine 51" or 2923? ;D

[voyager9]

fire292rescue said:

Is there any chance or something about Time Out being implemented?

The only time-out I want to see is for the folks that get too verbose on R1. If your report is more then 15 seconds.. you get a seat in the timeout chair...

[WebBoss]

I like the transmissions that should begin with "Here's my story, sad but true."

Central wants to hear when you're going, when your there, if you need help, when your available. That's it. No need for the play by play of the alarm system call or whatever other bs call there is.

If you're on a signifcant incident or extended period call, then 20 minute progress reports are in order.

There is nothing more interesting to me then the fact we get 5 minute disertations about alarm calls but barely here from anybody on house fires.

[voyager9]

admin said:

There is nothing more interesting to me then the fact we get 5 minute disertations about alarm calls but barely here from anybody on house fires.

I think part of it is a CYA. For a house-fire the tasks are simple: Put the fire out. For an GFA its a little harder to quantify since there usually isn't a smoking gun. Instead the IC tries to document the investigation and everything that was checked just in case it gets called into question. Granted, usually this should go into NFIRS instead.

Its still annoying in any event.

[3105]

voyager9 said:

admin said:

There is nothing more interesting to me then the fact we get 5 minute disertations about alarm calls but barely here from anybody on house fires.

I think part of it is a CYA. For a house-fire the tasks are simple: Put the fire out. For an GFA its a little harder to quantify since there usually isn't a smoking gun. Instead the IC tries to document the investigation and everything that was checked just in case it gets called into question. Granted, usually this should go into NFIRS instead.

Its still annoying in any event.

That's why I've done it...misconception obviously. We were told that doing so means it's officially "in the record".

Will pass that around so that everyone's on the same page.