MABAS Special Communications Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 15, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m. at Lisle-Woodridge Fire Station 1. Present were committee members Dave Dato, Wauconda; Paul Maplethorpe, Round Lake; Steve Rauter, Lisle-Woodridge; Jerry Tonne, Lombard; John Lozar, Ducomm; Gregg Riddle, IFCA/Wescom.
Chiefs Tonne and Dato reported on their meeting with the Illinois Association of Air and Critical Care Transport on September 9th in Rockford. Their Association voiced support of the MABAS helicopter advocacy statement, although concerns were raised over the use of MERCI in the Chicago area. They requested IREACH be the default frequency in the Chicago area. The consensus of our committee was to not change the advocacy statement as it addresses IREACH as one of the recommended frequencies.
D/C Tonne reported that he discussed ITTF finding for the Division 15 frequency migration with Jeff Rodrigues. Jeff was to meet with ITFF Chairman Chamness and discuss this funding. D/C Tonne has yet to hear back from Jeff.
Chief Riddle, Channahon, entered the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Chief Dato recommended meeting with Tom Medford concerning the Division 15 funding. He indicated the problem with funding is two-fold. It involves both the budget and state purchasing procedures. A/C Rauter reported that he has had conversations with Tom Medford concerning the ITTF budget. His suggestion was to file a detailed budget request to cover the Division 15 transition.
Licensing Division 15 for 154.310 MHz was also discussed. John Lozar agreed to prepare paperwork to add the frequency to existing sites in Plainfield, Troy and Lockport.
A/C Tonne moved to authorize Chief Maplethorpe to prepare a letter and detailed budget for the ITTF addressing Division 15’s frequency migration. Second by A/C Rauter. All AYES; motion carried.
The pending FCC licensing ruling was discussed as it concerns our interoperability frequencies. Discussion was held concerning a single statewide license versus individual division licenses. It was agreed that MABAS should license each Division for mobiles on the two IFERN and six fireground frequencies. Cost for coordination was estimated at approximately $100,000.00. It was felt that this would be an appropriate use of ITTF funds.
D/C Tonne moved to request funding from the ITTF for frequency coordination of the MABAS interoperability frequencies. Second by Chief Dato. All AYES; motion carried.
MABAS Communications Committee
Meeting Minutes 09/15/03 Page 2
(Note: IMSA has agreed to perform coordination for the mobile only frequencies for half price, provided certain conditions were met. This would equate to $800.00 per division.)
D/C Tonne led a discussion on the MABAS website. The consensus of the committee was to leave the mabasradio.org website separate from MABAS.org. Discussion ensued concerning links to individual MABAS Division websites. The concurrence was that individual divisions should be responsible for content on their website, MABAS.org will only provide a link. It was agreed that content for that site must be submitted or approved by a member of the MABAS Executive Board. A/C Rauter agreed to develop a policy statement concerning management of the MABAS.org site.
APCO, IMSA, IAFC et al’s Petition for Reconsideration filed with the FCC was discussed. It was agreed that the MABAS Communications Committee will support the petition. Chief Maplethorpe agreed to draft the written comments. The support letter will be posted on mabasradio.org for other agencies to copy and submit on their own letterhead.
Gregg Riddle left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Chief Dato discussed the video conferencing suggestion for MABAS Executive Board meetings. Chief Dato feels that President Reardon may have misunderstood what actions the committee was taking. President Reardon was informed that we are just researching the feasibility and a complete report would be made to the Executive Board. Chief Maplethorpe reported that B/C Mierop agreed to chair this task and study the concept.
The field testing for Division 15 was discussed. It was agreed that Minooka and Channahon would begin testing on 154.310 MHz on October 16th. Chiefs Dato & Maplethorpe and Mr. Lozar would assist with required radio reprogramming.
Chief Dato recommended forming a formal State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) as requested by the FCC. Some discussion ensued over the ITTF’s role.
The meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2003 at 1000 hours at Lisle-Woodridge Station 1. Please mark your calendars.