|
MABAS Communications Committee Meeting Minutes November 21, 2005
|
|
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. at Lisle-Woodridge Station 1. Present were committee members Paul Maplethorpe, Round Lake; Dave Dato, Wauconda; Steve Rauter, Lisle-Woodridge; Gregg Riddle, IFCA; John Lozar, DuComm; and Dennis Higgins, Livingston County.
II. Approve Prior Meeting Minutes
D/C Rauter moved to approve the August, September and October meeting minutes as submitted. Second by Chief Dato. All AYES; motion carried.
III. Region 54 Update
D/C Rauter reported on the recent Region 54 committee meeting:
· The FCC will freeze all 800 MHz applications beginning January 1, 2006 to allow the Nextel frequency re-banding to proceed. · Discussed the need to vigilantly monitor the NIPSPAC I-Call frequency. The need for a plan for both the NIPSPAC and 700 MHz interoperability repeaters. Chief Dato suggested that the I-Call frequency should be simplex instead of a repeated frequency. · A nationwide frequency plan has been proposed for all interoperability frequencies. The consensus of the group was that the plan needs to include an option for local or regional names. · Draft 7 of the 700 MHz frequency plan has been prepared. It has been suggested that frequencies should be identified to parallel the MABAS plan. (i.e. 700IFERN)
IV. Recommended Practice #2
D/C Rauter recommended that Recommended Practice #2 – Tactical Frequency Use Guidelines be expanded to include all frequencies in the VHF interoperability radios. A separate matrix chart could be developed to include Federal (NTIA) frequencies, V-Tac, U-Tac and I-Tac channels
V. IAFC Top Priority
D/C Rauter questioned the status of the response to the IAFC Top Priority document. Chief Dato agreed to draft the cover letter for MABAS and IFCA leadership.
VI. Old Business
A. MERCI Base Station Project
Chief Dato reported that both radio consoles and base stations have begun to ship. The equipment consists of an MTR2000 VHF base station, two auxiliary receivers and a Gaitronics radio console. The receivers will include MERCI 340 Statewide, MERCI 280 Statewide and the local MERCI frequency and CTCSS tone.
B. VHF Interoperability Radios
Chief Dato that the shipping list for the VHF Interoperability Radio Project has been supplied to Motorola. Radios will begin to ship soon.
C. Rock Island County
Chief Maplethorpe reported that the MABAS Division that includes the Quad Cities has begun to dispatch MABAS alarms on IFERN. Rural departments continue to use IFERN for daily dispatch. The latter departments plan to apply for a Fire Act Grant to fund a new radio system.
D. Gibson Area Ambulance
Mr. Higgins reported that 155.985 MHz is a quiet frequency near Gibson City. Chief Maplethorpe agreed to notify IMSA to complete the frequency coordination process.
E. Southwest Central Dispatch
No recent interference has been heard on 154.280 MHz by committee members.
F. LEADS/EMnet
D/C Rauter reported that two-way satellite EMnet service is expensive. He will obtain detailed fee information.
G. Starcom21
The radios will begin shipping soon. MABAS has only been assigned one (1) talkgroup. Many issues remain to be resolved.
H. Frequency Boss
D/C Rauter discussed the concept of a “Frequency Boss” for coordinating radio frequencies at major disasters. Chief Dato feels that the MABAS Communications Committee should focus on frequency management and training in 2006.
I. CTCSS on IFERN
Mr. Riddle inquired about the status of the changeover to CTCSS tone operation on IFERN. The Committee will be monitoring the conversion after the January 1, 2006 deadline passes.
VII. New Business
ILTERT: Mr. Riddle reported that as a result of Hurricane Katrina, an organization of telecommunicators known as the Illinois Telecommunicators Emergency Response Taskforce has been organized. The taskforce has been organized to:
· Planning for intrastate telecommunications mutual aid response. · ILEAS has been the primary support behind the formation of ILERT although the fire service is included in the program. · The program includes PSAP to PSAP mutual aid as well as mobile communications scenarios.
D/C Rauter moved that the MABAS Communications Committee support the formation of ILTERT. Second by Chief Dato. All AYES; motion carried.
Chicago Representation: Chief Maplethorpe suggested that Deputy Commissioner Gene Ryan of Chicago be contacted to obtain representation from their fire department on the Communications Committee. He also suggested that Tony Kratz from the CFD radio shop be approached to participate on the Committee as well.
VIII. Information for the Good of the Committee
Mr. Higgins reported that during recent tornadoes in Woodford County, the assistance of an ILTERT response team would have been beneficial.
IX. Adjournment
D/C Rauter moved to adjourn the meeting. Second by Chief Dato. All AYES; the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
The next meeting for the MABAS Communications Committee is scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2005 at 1000 hours. The location of the meeting will be at Lisle-Woodridge Fire Station 1. Please mark your calendars.
Respectfully submitted, Paul Maplethorpe Co-Chair |