Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Collected here from our print and electronic editions are articles about communications — from dispatch to the fireground.

IAFF, USFA Radio Communications Guide  

The International Association of Fire Fighters and the U.S. Fire Administration, with support from the Department of Homeland Security’s SAFECOM Program Office, released a new manual, Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service, that provides updated information on communications technology and discusses critical homeland security issues and concepts that did not exist when the original manual was first published in 1996....

P.A. Fire, Ambulance Crews Split Grant 

Fifteen area fire and ambulance companies will split a $1 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase new radios that will be compatible with updated emergency communications systems....

Researchers Seek Improvements in Responder Communications 

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are working to correct the problems that occurred with search-and-rescue robots on Sept. 11, 2001; these robots never reached targets because of interference with the radio signals controlling them....

USFA Launches Blog 

The U.S. Fire Administration has launched of an interactive blog at usfa.dhs.gov for the fire service to share comments, ideas and success stories about fire prevention, preparedness and response....

FCC to Revive Emergency Communications Plan 

The Federal Communications Commission approved a new framework for creating of a nationwide emergency communications network, the agency's second attempt to create set rules for the network....

IAFC to Launch Internet TV 

The International Association of Fire Chiefs will launch 24-hour internet television programming on Nov. 1. ...

Vermont Demands in 911 Outage Investigation 

After nearly two hours of 911 emergency calling system outage in northern Vermont, a Vermont firefighters' union is demanding an investigation into the phone company, FairPoint Communications. ...

Union Head Proposes Radio Alerts 

Uniformed Firefighters Association head Steve Cassidy has proposed a change to New York (N.Y.) Fire Department protocols concerning water availability....

Chicago Tests Digital Radios 

Chicago Fire Departments are switching to a $22 million digital radio system to prevent a repeat of the deadly communications breakdown that occurred at a high-rise fire. ...

Uniform Radio System Slated for Maryland 

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed an executive order to establish a state-wide communications systems that will allow all agencies and response personnel to use a single radio system....

Chicago Mayor Shifts Emergency Leaders 

Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco as executive director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications and promoted First Deputy Fire Commissioner John W. Brooks to be the new Fire Commissioner....

IAFC Reports on Radio Noise 

The International Association of Fire Chiefs' digital project working group released its Interim Report and Recommendations: Fireground Noise and Digital Radio Transmissions....

Homeland Security Bills in House 

House members introduce these three bills to enhance the nation's preparedness and response capabilities...

Interoperability Work to Begin 

Comcare Emergency Response Alliance, the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc., the National Emergency Number Association and the National Association of State Fire Marshals will conduct a Core Services Initiative to improve interoperable, inter-organizational communications and information sharing for emergency preparedness, response and recovery. ...

Tested Template 

Illinois MABAS has long been an exemplar of large- scale mutual aid, and it’s now a blueprint for federal response. MABAS President Jay Reardon explains why to FIRE CHIEF Editorial Director Janet Wilmoth. ...

Urban Legends 

By Mary Rose Roberts

A collaboration between a university and a fire department has yielded a new wireless sensor system using interactive floor plans that increases situational awareness and aids in decision-making....

The MICAS Touch 

By Chris Couper

Midday on a hot August afternoon in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento, a welding accident at a remote industrial site ignited a small grass...

Prime Exposure 

By Dale Lyman

One of the most powerful allies an emergency response agency can have during a public health crisis, for example an influenza pandemic, is the news media....

Airport Unveils Interoperable Capability 

Dallas Love Field airport in Texas has announced implementation of an interoperable communications system that improves pubic safety by uniting all first responders in the event of an emergency....

Extra, Extra 

By Steve Prziborowski

To prevent something you wouldn’t want your community to read all about, look at your decision-making....

Now Hear This 

By Courtney DeWinter

Public safety departments today face very real resource challenges. The emergency call volume of most departments has risen due to population increases,...

Smart Talk 

By David Holmberg

Today's modern buildings function with multiple control systems programmed to run different building systems. Network communications carry commands from...

Fast Track 

By Bryant Krizik

Multitasking fireground radios deliver more than just communications, replacing the white board for instant personnel accountability....

Two-Thirds of Population Now Covered by Wireless E911 

While this landmark percentage was reached in recent weeks, 57% of counties are not yet providing this important service to wireless customers....

Tall Order 

By John Facella

In-building two-way communications are essential to safe fire operations, but systems can be cumbersome and costly. Here are some solutions for your department....

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