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Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Communications Committee Meeting Minutes May 15, 2006 DRAFT |
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I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:08 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; Bob Mierop, Bolingbrook; and Dennis Higgins, Livingston County.
II. Approve Prior Meeting Minutes
Mr. Riddle moved to approve the April 17, 2006 minutes as presented. Second by D/C Rauter. All AYES; motion carried.
III. Recommended Practice – Emergency/Evacuation Tone
Chief Maplethorpe presented a draft advocacy statement that addresses emergency incident scene warning communications. Mr. Riddle suggested that IFERN be added to section 4.2. D/C Rauter discussed issues with MDC and other forms of ANI. It was agreed that this was a separate issue, warranting a separate advocacy statement. An additional section (4.3) will be added to address procedural issues related to the document. It was also agreed that this document be in the form of an Advocacy Statement instead of a Recommended Practice. Chief Maplethorpe agreed to amend the draft to include the changes discussed and will forward the next version electronically to the committee.
IV. Advocacy Statement - Interdivisional Request
No Report
V. MABAS Radio Test Schedule
Chief Bouma was absent due to a UASI meeting in Milwaukee.
VI. Starcom 21/MABAS/USAR – Operations/Talkgroups
D/C Rauter reported that the Motorola representatives could not attend the meeting due to a death in the family.
VII. Old Business
A. MERCI Base Station Project
Chief Dato reported that radio installations at hospitals continue. Minor problems occasionally surface, however the project continues to progress.
B. VHF Interoperability Radios
Chief Dato reported that he cannot update the current reprogramming status for the MABAS/ITTF VHF Interoperability Radios through Motorola. Mr. Higgins reported that service shops in central/southern Illinois have been charging $125 to fire departments to reprogram the radios. It was agreed that a one page informational notice be distributed through the MABAS e-mail network updating everyone on the status of the reprogramming project.
Mr. Lozar mentioned the need for a position paper or other information concerning the use of the V-Tac channels. He is receiving requests from fire and police agencies inquiring when or how these frequencies are to be used. Chief Dato suggested this would be a perfect topic for a functioning SIEC. It was agreed that the MABAS Communications Committee should draft such a document.
C. Rock Island County
Chief Maplethorpe reported that, based on e-mails, Rock Island County plans to switch to their new dispatch frequency, off of IFERN, later in May.
D. Southwest Central Dispatch
No report.
E. LEADS/EMnet
Chief Dato reported that EMnet terminals for fire departments in Illinois remain an ITTF funding priority.
F. IAFC/Top Priority
Chief Dato reported that the IAFC Top Priority response remains in the hands of President Reardon. A brief discussion on the current status of the IAFC Top Priority document was held.
G. MABAS Dispatch Yahoo Group
Mr. Riddle discussed his e-mail exchange with President Reardon concerning the MABAS Dispatch Yahoo Group. President Reardon has asked for a concept document and implementation plan for this idea.
Several ideas were discussed for inclusion into the document. It was agreed that the advocacy statement format should be used and the proposed list serve rules included. Mr. Riddle will prepare the proposed concept document and implementation plan.
H. Statewide Radio License
Chief Maplethorpe reported that he continues to work on the statewide FCC license application modifications for MABAS. He will prepare a proposal and cost estimate for review by President Reardon.
I. Carbondale Area
No report
J. SIEC
Legislation establishing a revised SIEC for Illinois has passed both the House and Senate and awaits the Governor’s signature. The language in the bill was not amended. ISP agreed, however, to include representation from MABAS and ILEAS on the reconstituted SIEC board.
VIII. New Business
Orland Dispatch & Division 27: Chief Maplethorpe read an e-mail received from Orland Central Dispatch’s Deputy Director William Neumann concerning issues involving Division 27. Orland has complained in the past that Division 27 retones Division 19’s MABAS alarms, causing both confusion and unnecessary radio traffic on the IFERN frequency. Mr. Neumann also reported that Division 27 simulcasts both MABAS and local dispatch tones on IFERN as part of their dispatch.
Mr. Neumann forwarded a wave audio file of one recent incident that he says caused harmful interference during the MABAS event that was reviewed by the Committee. Mr. Neumann has requested the Communications Committee’s assistance resolving this matter.
Chief Maplethorpe agreed to draft a letter to MABAS Division 47 requesting assistance resolving this issue.
IX. Information for the Good of the Committee
IL TERT: Mr. Riddle reported that plans to form a telecommunicator mutual aid program are progressing nicely. APCO & NENA have formed an alliance at the national level to address telecommunicator mutual aid. Illinois is a driving force at the national level. IL TERT is also working with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Board to develop training standards for IL TERT membership.
Statewide Deployment Dispatch Drills: Mr. Riddle reported that Director Jim Clausen at RED Center has agreed to coordinate monthly dispatcher drills for the statewide deployment plan.
ISO Dispatch Center Credit: DuComm is preparing a comprehensive package based on NFPA 1221 and ISO requirements for dispatch center grading.
IL APCO/NENA Fall Conference: Mr. Riddle is preparing the training schedule for the October conference and requested topics from the Committee. Chief Maplethorpe suggested a topic on interdisciplinary interoperability, debugging the myths. Mr. Riddle agreed to provide a 90 minute session to MABAS Communications for this topic.
Comm Unit Leader Training: Chief Dato distributed copies of the just released publication from US Department of Homeland Security listing the core training competencies for a Comm Unit Leader under the NIMS system.
X. Adjournment
Chief Maplethorpe moved to adjourn the meeting. Second by Chief Dato. All AYES; the meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m.
The next meeting for the MABAS Communications Committee is scheduled for Monday, June 19, 2006 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 |