MABAS Special Communications Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. at Lisle-Woodridge Fire Station 1. Present were committee members Dave Dato, Wauconda; Paul Maplethorpe, Round Lake; and Steve Rauter, Lisle-Woodridge.
Chief Dato reported that the amendment to Advocacy Statement 1 adding additional operations frequencies and Advocacy Statement #6 for CTCSS tones were well received at the January MABAS Executive Board meeting.
Discussion ensued concerning Division 15, WESCOM dispatch, and their use of 154.295 mHz for routine dispatch. Chief Riddle faxed radio inventories for Lockport, Minooka and Plainfield. The overwhelming number of radios listed are programmable. The exception is approximately 50 Minitor II pagers, one base radio and several satellite receivers. Division 15 should request a letter of concurrence from DuComm for 154.310 mHz. Our committee will formulate a cost estimate to convert Division 15’s operations to the new frequency and present it to the MABAS Executive Board.
Chief Maplethorpe distributed a copy of the “current” fire service radio frequency plan for Illinois, dated 1986, that was received from the IMSA frequency coordinator. The plan is obviously outdated. It was agreed that an updated plan needs to be prepared and presented to both IMSA and APCO.
A brief discussion was held concerning IMERT and the use of 155.280 mHz as well as the Starcom 21 system for IDPH coordination.
Chief Maplethorpe reported that Whiteside County in northwest Illinois was having difficulty licensing 153.830 (red) in their area. Clinton County Iowa is using that frequency for a repeater input. IMSA reports that since the FCC raised the power limit on the frequency, it has been licensed in certain areas for this purpose. The committee members present concurred that we should ask MABAS President Reardon to address this issue with the Great Lakes Division of the IAFC. This frequency should be restricted for fireground operations, and available nationwide. Petitioning the FCC for a rule change was also discussed, as well as notifying area federal legislators about the situation.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2003 at 1000 hours at Lisle-Woodridge Station 1. Please mark your calendars.