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Post by citygirl on Jun 21, 2008 10:38:57 GMT -5
For everyone's information...the phone number to the Pennsylvania State Police...Towanda Barracks....is: 570-265-2186. Just in case, during dispatch of Fire, EMS, and trying to get a helicopter AND looking up LZ coordinates...I...as a dispatcher...forget to ask the ALWAYS impressed State Trooper on desk where his car is coming from....you can call and ask yourself! [glow=red,2,300][/glow]
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Post by FIREFIGHTER16 on Jun 23, 2008 20:56:18 GMT -5
Also as a fire officer I too like to know the eta of a utility company or PSP. As an employee of the 911 center I don't see what the big deal is that we try to find out where the cruiser is coming from or ask the utility company, "hey can you call me back with an eta as soon as you get one"? Most of the time they don't have a problem with it and they usually call us back. As a 911 supervisor we will continue to serve our fire departments, ems agencies, and police departments to the best of our abilities and beyond.
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Post by canton1 on Jun 23, 2008 22:43:24 GMT -5
Well, at the chief meeting Director 1 stated that the dispatchers ask where the care is responding from. WHy dont I believe that everyone asked that question? ? To bad if PSP dont like getting asked that. It isnt that hard to say we are coming from "where ever". I guess what we are being told is we are to wait on scene for 3 hours to find out that the car is going to have a extended ETA. TO BAD WE ARE ASKING
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Post by canton1 on Jun 23, 2008 22:45:52 GMT -5
Oh yea, When the 911 center gives out Sattelite phones so we have coverage EVERWHERE we will start call PSP directly.
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batt4
Junior Member
There is no skating through your career!
Posts: 23
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Post by batt4 on Jun 24, 2008 8:47:40 GMT -5
Support agencies arrive when they get there and not a moment before. So why are we all so worried about that particular unknown. As emergency personnel we are there for the duration of the incident or has something changed since my I.C. days?
I am sure that your dispatcher has indicated the level of the incident to those agencies. It is their responsibility to arrive in a timely manner. Out of our hands, just wait patiently and do your part to mitigate the incident.
Back in my old department our utility company would not give you an e.t.a. they would however promise that they would arrive within the hour and they did live up to the promise. We did have some impatient officers in our ranks and when the arrived back in quarters they would receive a call from myself or another Battalion Chief reminding them of the in place protocol.
Overzealous radio pleas for agencies e.t.a.s' only causes dissension between same. I can go on and on about this one. Concern yourselves with the tasks you are faced with, secure as best as possible, look out for the safety of the members on hand and be patient awaiting the help from other agencies it is out of our control.
Ya gotta remember that the support agencies we utilize at incidents also have important functions too. Be cognizant of this and remember that the universe doesn't revolve around us. They take pride in their work too.
The Batt
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Post by Robert Repasky on Jun 24, 2008 14:10:24 GMT -5
I did not want to have to respond to this topic, but I will now, in hopes to clear some things up and possibly get everyone back in the right direction. First, to bring everyone up to speed on the topic, last week at the Fire Chief's meeting, I told everyone present that they could be sure that PSP was contacted upon dispatch for anything they need to respond to such as an MVA, possible suicide, shots fired, etc... Our main concern in dispatch is to get people out to people who need help, but without getting any responders hurt in any way. I just wanted to advise the Chiefs that it is our protocol to notify PD and there is no need for the responders to ask if PSP was contacted. It was at this point that a fire chief mentioned ETA’s for responding agencies and asked if we could give them an idea of how long it would be for PSP to arrive at their scene. I said PSP usually does not give an ETA, but we would try to ask. The same fire chief suggested we at least ask where the PSP car is responding from and let the IC know and that would give them a rough guestimate of how long it would be. I thought this was a great idea and we would implement it and see how it would work.
The comment that started this topic was in no way a reflection of me or the rest of the dispatching staff at the 911 center. I implemented the new idea at which point prompted the posting of this topic. We will ask PSP where the car is responding from and we will relay that information to the IC. We are always open to suggestions to improve the operation of the dispatch and our responders.
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Post by fireguy1972 on Jun 24, 2008 15:17:15 GMT -5
BRADFORD COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
JUNE 17, 2008
SMITHFIELD FIRE STATION
Departments present: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19
President, Kim Jennings, called the meeting to order at 1930 hours. As no amendments were made to the April minutes, Larry Nichols made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Roy Vargson, all were in favor. Motion carried.
Dave Clink from FireStore spoke briefly on the new vests. This regulation goes into effect Nov 28, 2008. Mr. Clink provided hand-outs. Example vests were also on display.
911. Robert Repasky noted the new microwave link running between Rome and Warren towers. Canton tower up with fire frequencies. Robert noted the MDC codes were working well. Jim Vadja asked Robert to make it known ERGs are available in the EMA office. [glow=red,2,300]Next, he noted PSP is contacted at the time of initial dispatch, and communications center doe s ask from where PSP car en route. [/glow] Regarding Penelec, Robert noted during the recent bout of weather-related emergencies, in speaking with Penelec, Robert was asked if he would like a form faxed to him in which he could list the pole numbers involved. Once the form was used, Robert inquired to Jody Place at the local Penelec office about the forms. Ms. Place was not aware of such a form. This said form was sent to Ms. Place to look at, and she has not responded back to Robert as of yet.
With regard to readdressing, county commissioners are dealing with issues between MSAG and postal service.
DEPARTMENTS
Smithfield. Larry Nichols noted July 4th parade, 4 p.m. Line-up at 3:30 p.m. At this point, Kim Jennings suggested the county bring in someone to work between the county and Larry Nichols' business radio to resolve the interference problem.
LeRaysville. John Keegan sent notification request to add 6 ATV 1 and 6 Tanker 2. Motion made by Larry Nichols, seconded by Jason Boatman. All were in favor, and motion carried.
Monroeton. Rich Vargason noted parade, July 19. Line-up at 5:30, parade at 6:30. Rich also noted Dept 7's new brush truck is in service.
Rome. Ray McGuire noted parade August 2. Line-up at 6:30
Sayre. Robert Repasky noted car show Sunday, June 29. Department 12 has Scott 2.2 Air Packs with aluminum cylinders, selling for $1; 26 air packs and 52 cylinders available.
South Creek. Dick Fulmer noted changing tanker with the same call sign.
Windham Township. Larry Edsell noted Bedrock car show 9 a.m., July 27. Saturday, antique tractor pulls at community hall. At this point, Ray McGuire, from Rome welcomed Department 19 back in service. Larry Edsell requested 19 attack 2. Motion made by Larry Nichols, seconded by Ray McGuire. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Athens Township. Dean Covey sent information regarding the Jim King Memorial Run, Saturday, June 22.
Windham Community. At this time, Kim Jennings requested elimination of all Department 28 call signs. Tim Allis made the motion, seconded by Ray McGuire. All were in favor. Motion carried.
With nothing further, the meeting was adjourned at 2013 hours. The next meeting of this association will be Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
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Post by canton1 on Jun 24, 2008 18:16:56 GMT -5
I am concerned with the task at hand that we are tasked to deal with. I am nto one that asked 100 times an eta. I ask once and except what I am given and plan accordingly. So, for me to act accordingly I need that info. Must be things have changed since your time as a IC. I have a concern of my personal and if PSP has a ETA of several hours it is our job as a IC to get someone to replace them as needed. I dont think the universe revolves around us but it does need to revolve with us. I have worked both sides of the fence and still do not see that it is hard for anyone to say we will be X period of time to get there. I cant count on one hand how many times that the fire or ems service is asked what our ETA is when going to a medical or a MVA that peopel are requesting help.
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Post by canton1 on Jun 24, 2008 18:25:46 GMT -5
Rob, That is not what you said. You said, "We ask PSP where there are coming from and that they are getting mad when you ask for a ETA". That is what started this discussion. I know some responders do ask if PSP was advised, but most that ask that are hoping to find out a ETA, not if you really did it. I for one try to teach my people ask for a ETA if that is what they want to know and not say "did you notify psp". I think we all know PSP like every agency out there has limited manpower and does the best we can. We are not trying to be harsh by asking a simple question. I forgot how much fun this can be I did not want to have to respond to this topic, but I will now, in hopes to clear some things up and possibly get everyone back in the right direction. First, to bring everyone up to speed on the topic, last week at the Fire Chief's meeting, I told everyone present that they could be sure that PSP was contacted upon dispatch for anything they need to respond to such as an MVA, possible suicide, shots fired, etc... Our main concern in dispatch is to get people out to people who need help, but without getting any responders hurt in any way. I just wanted to advise the Chiefs that it is our protocol to notify PD and there is no need for the responders to ask if PSP was contacted. It was at this point that a fire chief mentioned ETA’s for responding agencies and asked if we could give them an idea of how long it would be for PSP to arrive at their scene. I said PSP usually does not give an ETA, but we would try to ask. The same fire chief suggested we at least ask where the PSP car is responding from and let the IC know and that would give them a rough guestimate of how long it would be. I thought this was a great idea and we would implement it and see how it would work. The comment that started this topic was in no way a reflection of me or the rest of the dispatching staff at the 911 center. I implemented the new idea at which point prompted the posting of this topic. We will ask PSP where the car is responding from and we will relay that information to the IC. We are always open to suggestions to improve the operation of the dispatch and our responders.
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batt4
Junior Member
There is no skating through your career!
Posts: 23
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Post by batt4 on Jun 24, 2008 19:30:07 GMT -5
Kim, nothing much has changed since my CAREER I.C. days (not all that long ago). You must evolve with the situation and formulate your RUNNING action plan. Gee these emergency events are quite DYNAMIC aren't they. There have been times when I needed a second alarm prior to my arrival. But you learn to work with the tools at hand and plan for the arriving companies or outside agencies. When they arrive you assign, or has this changed since my I.C. days?
I agree that a several hour wait is a bit extreme but what was their work load at the time? Were their resources all tied up? OUT OF OUR HANDS!
Circumstances dictate tactics.
The more things change the more they seem to be the same hmmm.
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Post by canton1 on Jun 24, 2008 21:02:00 GMT -5
Gee, I really do miss this!!!
I still bet that after you stood there for several hours you might and I say JUST MIGHT be curious how much longer you will be there. Maybe I am wrong. My days of IC have showed that, so far anyway.
But that is the cool part about IC, you can pass it off to paid agencies that can also do it so we dont tie up all our resources for long periods of times.
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batt4
Junior Member
There is no skating through your career!
Posts: 23
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Post by batt4 on Jun 25, 2008 8:16:22 GMT -5
Yep I agree curious isn't the word. I believe this forum will not allow the exact verbiage that goes through my mind especially at 02:30 hours.
I at times tend to be a bit impatient but you can't show these emotions to your brothers and sisters as it tends to drag down the morale at the scene. We gotta keep their spirits up so they perform well. We lead by example, ya know cool heads prevail.
I kinda think that all this pent up stress from not venting at scenes has led to the discoloring and loss of several key cranial follicles. White helmets do remove more of these than the black ones.
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