SA Firefighter

I think there are at least 8 CFS brigades now running the system, with a few others also keen on it and currently looking at setting it up. Three MFS stations also have it running as their primary turnout system with another portable unit able to be deployed to stations suffering problems with the old VHF system.

We have found an issue with the Alpha decoder being used to feed the data into the PC. The pager messages on the SAGRN are sent in fragments, and the pagers are smart enough to put the fragment together before displaying the message. However the Alpha OAD isn't that smart, and just sends out the chunks of data as they come in. For some response messages it isn't a problem, but it seems that if there is multiple brigades being turned out simultaneously it does become and issue and you may only get one chunk of data displayed on the TIM system. This can be overcome by using an alternative decoder - the Wipath PDT3000 is the prefered option. This has resolved the issue for our brigade.

As for maps in rural areas, at this stage there is not a lot that can be done as most of the pager messages don't contain a map reference. I'm not sure if SACAD will include a map reference or grid reference for every job, if it does then hopefully we can integrate that into TIM somehow, I'm sure there will be a way to get a grid reference lookup happening somehow if it is on the pager message.

There is a few other features being tested or investigated currently, some of these will roll out soon in a new version.

• Multiple map printing (for 2nd appliance)
• Map display on the screen (you want a really big screen though for it to be useful)
• Keyword lookup and turnout activation (so the system activates when it sees your brigade code, no matter which address it is on - this can mean the system activating up to a minute before the pager)
• Ability for responding members to dial a number and have their name displayed and the time since they called scroll across the bottom of the screen (basically a call-in log so you can see who is coming)

I believe there is some new UBD maps about to come out as well for those brigades currently using the system.

Our system is very stable and works well. The first person into the station grabs the map and it definitely saves time when trying to work out where we are going.

I believe the cost for a licence is still around the $600 mark for CFS brigades.

Those pager messages have been going out for a couple of months now, SAAS have also been doing their own testing with a similar style of message.

You may also see a fire one that is designed to open station doors.

It is good to see things happening. The word is it may be ready to go by next fire season, but whether we change over then or not is another thing.

There is, but not one that you can access.

Sent a Samsung off for repair a few months ago, it had a few extra addresses programmed in it, so on the repair sheet I made a big bold note for them to make sure that whatever pager came back was programmed with the extra addresses.

I got a replacement Apollo back yesterday without the extra addresses in it.

I really wouldn't have thought it would be that hard to understand the fairly clear instructions included on the sheet.

More of my time now wasted sending it back again, given recent examples I don't think we will have it back before Xmas now.

In our dual response zones (CFS / MFS) it is one CFS brigade (two trucks if you can get em) and two MFS pumps. If one MFS pump is not available from station 43, you will get a second CFS brigade on the initial response.

Outside of the dual response area it is two CFS brigades, with a minimum of 4 x BA on the way (from either trucks), if you don't have at least 4 another brigade will be turned out.

These extra codes are created when the AirDesk staff when the report into AIIRS. Generally they will find the code that best matches the incident type.

I believe once the online AIIRS goes live brigades will have access to all of these codes.

Any jobs that you attend will show up on your TAS, which you can check through the CFS website members section.

So if you went to a job and it isn't on your TAS list then it hasn't been entered into the system (and there could be lots of reasons why it hasn't happened).

The new portables issued to SES allow us to select fire service talk groups, which can be a great help..

I wasn't aware that the SES now had access to CFS talkgroups. Are all units equipped with these ?

What protocols are in place for SES communicating with CFS brigades on local talkgroups (i.e. have you been given a list of talkgroups that we use, callsigns, radio procedure etc).

I know that many of the gurus in each unit would be familiar with the local communications systems for nearby CFS units, but how does the joe blow SES vollie who is in charge of the truck know who to talk to and when to change to a CFS talkgroup ?

BTW I'm not knocking it as I think it is a good idea, I'm just wondering what processes and training are in place to facilitate this.

What about CFS appliances using the MFS stop codes ?? 

I hear a few brigades using them occasionally, what do people think about that ?

Bill, regardless of the Dennis' condition, i would suggest it sets a precedent of having a heavy pumper in the station and would work in there favour when it comes time to replace it.

It was also HQ's way of fulfilling our now upgraded SFEC prescription. Our appliance allocation now includes the requirement for an Urban Pumper for our brigade. The Dennis only came back to the Group after a long list of faults were rectified, as it turns out not everything has been fixed so it is not being accepted until they are.

Our 24 is due for replacement in the next year or two so we should have a new rural appliance soon. To be honest our 24 is still in pretty good condition and does a good job at rural fires, it would make a very good regional spare when it is taken out of service.

I understood these pagers to be a temporary measure, until a new batch of pagers is decided upon, and purchased ....... can any of the comms guys clarify that...?

I think these are here to stay, from what I heard these pagers were chosen because they were the most sensitive (and therefore recieved the most messages) out of all the ones tested.

CFS also chose the Yellow case to try to reduce the number of pagers lost. I know some of our guys that are business type people that work in offices have said that they do not want a bright yellow pager clipped onto their belt, something about it looking somewhat unprofessional - I tend to agree. Bring back Black.

Channel Ten also doing a story on it tonight.