MABAS Special Communications Committee

Meeting Minutes

October 20, 2003

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       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; Steve Rauter, Lisle-Woodridge; John Lozar, Ducomm; Gregg Riddle, IFCA/Wescom; Bob Mierop, Bollingbrook and Bill Bouma; Mt. Pleasant.

            Licensing of all divisions for the eight MABAS frequencies was discussed. A discounted coordination rate was negotiated through IMSA for the service. Chief Dato has requested funding for frequency coordination through the Illinois Terrorism Task Force. Tom Mefford was contacted via telephone during the meeting and indicated that a formal budget request for frequency coordination has not been submitted and as such the matter has not been placed on the October agenda. Chief Dato will follow up and see that the formal request is made.

            Video conferencing of the quarterly MABAS Executive Board Meetings was discussed. B/C Mierop reported that all junior colleges have the capabilities to conduct video conferencing, however there may be a cost involved. IDPH and IEMA also have video conferencing capabilities. The number of possible sites throughout the MABAS service area was discussed. B/C Mierop will prepare a report that details options and costs.

            The MABAS.org website was discussed. A/C Rauter reported that the framework is in place but the Executive Board officers have not approved any content yet. Chiefs Dato and Maplethorpe will discuss the matter with President Reardon at the IFCA Conference in Peoria.

            ITTF money to replace MERCI base radios was discussed. A/C Rauter will be working with IDPH to maintain the MERCI CTCSS code data base and look at newer technologies. Chief Dato reported that he has requested that tech oriented people assist with the specification and purchasing of communications equipment funded through ITTF.

            A discussion was held concerning the Starcomm 21 project and its relationship to the fire service. Interoperability remains a concern. The need for a functioning State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) was considered a necessity.

            Chief Maplethorpe discussed the need for a power point based training program that could be used by the MABAS Divisions to train personnel in the use of the fireground and IFERN frequencies. Model frequency use plans could be developed for both training purposes and to aid incident commanders at major incidents. B/C Mierop volunteered to develop a program in conjunction with the Training Officers Association for review by the Committee.

            The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2003 at 1000 hours at Lisle-Woodridge Station 1. Please mark your calendars.

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