Flynn
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Often imitated; Never Duplicated
Posts: 45
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Post by Flynn on Oct 24, 2003 21:12:17 GMT -5
This is more a question of policy/procedure than a bust on operations.
When dispatching a local alarm assignment, why isn't the box alarm # given, particularly for departments that not only run box alarms, but base them off a geographical area. By doing this, this gives information as to which map in the mapbook should be utilized.
Also, are the box cards brought up on screen when dispatching a local, in case a next due is requested?
Lastly, if asked for a cross-street, is this information available, and if not will the 911 mapping for the CAD give us this information?
Tim
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911Mom
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Welcome to the real world!
Posts: 60
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Post by 911Mom on Oct 25, 2003 7:46:59 GMT -5
No the box alarm cards are not brought up on the screen, they are kept in individual department notebooks. The box alarms are a great idea IF they are kept up to date (new roads added on a regular basis), IF they are followed (not the Chinese menu ie 1 from column A, etc), and IF people actually take the time to pull their books instead of asking us what they are supposed to take. The last item has been getting better but it still happens. So I guess it falls to the department heads to train their people on how to use them and to keep them updated. In my experience if we can get the road name out of someone whose house is on fire we are doing good, much less a cross street. Hopefully the 911 mapping will take care of that problem. As always, these are my opinions and not those of my employers.
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Post by 911guy on Oct 27, 2003 13:32:18 GMT -5
Tim- As far as no box # given on a local, it has never been requested that I know of . I personally think it would add more confusion. I mean, I have heard of people in private vehicles going 96 MPH in Chemung County, responding to a fire on the EAST side of the county now (that is NOT a hypothetical scenario) ... Also, VERY few departments have their box alarms associated with a map, i.e., there is just a municipal listing, and then the various roads within that municipality and what box # is associated with it. Just to echo Sue's posing, box alarms are NOT brought up on CAD for the same reason as mentioned early on in our posting - no 911 Addressing Once addressing is done, the box alarm and what goes, as well as cross streets, lat/lon, previous history of calls, and a photo of the structure will be available ;D
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Post by 2Truck on Oct 27, 2003 17:38:14 GMT -5
In Cumberland County it's common practice to box all alarms. From my experience if a map book is kept up to date for all rigs it aids in finding the location of the incident since it gives you a specific area to look for the street in. Plus some of our local alarms call for mutual aid companies because of the location of some boxes, which allows them to reference the street to an area in the township. Another thing that my department has done is to create driving directions from the station to every street in the township (simple things: turn left onto, right onto etc.). The streets are then listed in alphabetical order and reference back to a map(box area). Which keeps the radio traffic down asking for directions. Like Tim said, CROSS STREETS are a saving grace. ;D
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Post by 911wacker on Oct 29, 2003 16:35:20 GMT -5
As far as local alarms I don't see where it would help anyway. Without the box alarm # given at the time of dispatch how do the mutial aide companies know what to bring? ? This does in fact happen from time to time. I have been a B/C dispatcher for almost 3 years and as far as I know we were supposed to give the box # upon dispatch!!! This does not always mean that the responding units knows what that means, however some departments have a response list posted at the station that tells the fire wackers what to take. With that, Sue is very correct as far as box alarms being updated. There have been many times that units respond that are not called for on the box. Maybe a way to make it simple is just specify EACH peice of equipment requested for the responding units. This would be a slower but less confusing way of dispatch for the feild units, ALTHOUGH A DISPATCHER WOULD MOST LIKELY DISAGREE!!
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Post by 2Truck on Oct 30, 2003 0:49:02 GMT -5
Scott your right, anouncing what is do on a box is a great idea. It saves some time on having to look that box number up and determine what is going to roll. It doesn't have to be too in depth, just something simple.... Engine companies 23, 12, 28, Truck 23 (that's 23 not 32 for those ex dislexic truckies from the east shore ;D), Rescue 28. If the boxes are kept up to date and what is due is anounced then there is little confusion on what is due and everyone knows what is going to be coming to the incident. Although we all know updating boxes doesn't happen too much.
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911Mom
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Welcome to the real world!
Posts: 60
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Post by 911Mom on Oct 30, 2003 7:17:43 GMT -5
Sure, announcing due apparatus may be fine on a simple box, but what about the ones that have 2,3, even 4 departments on them? When your first page is done and people are just screaming "Bradford County, Bradford County did you hear me responding?" and by now the structure is in the basement because you have just announced 10 different pieces of apparatus (which no one has listened to anyway) I don't see how this saves time. And what if the chief requests a second or third alarm because while you were on the first page, someone got on scene and was trying to tell you that it was fully involved and they needed more apparatus. Do you then repeat all of the above plus the additional units once again? Wouldn't it just be easier to train the personnel to be familiar with the box alarms, put copies in all of the apparatus and post them on big pieces of poster board in easily visible areas in the fire hall? I know in Smithfield we have them posted on the back wall so when you walk into the station, you look up, find the box alarm that is being requested and, "voila zambini", there is what you need to take. No muss, no fuss. Of course, this is just my humble opinion.
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Post by BCDISP on Oct 30, 2003 14:43:46 GMT -5
I agree with 911 Wacker in stating to specify each piece of apparatus. But that's probaly because where I was brought up in the fire service that's the way they (the 911 center) did it. But to maybe make it easier would be to say Dept7 Dept 15 1 ENG 1 Tanker, Dept 8 1 Tanker, and Dept 22 cover Dept 7 station.
Just a thought.
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Post by 911wacker on Nov 1, 2003 16:10:54 GMT -5
I bet that we could make this one last a long while, however there is one thing for sure. The current system needs to be looked at agian, updated at each department and personel trained on whatever thought process is chosen. This is most likely a discussion that should be had at a chiefs meeting. Bradford County is unique in its own way and needs to see what is best for all. That doesn't mean that all the "white helmets" will see it the same way either.
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