[Scan-DC] More on MCFRS Radio plan related to outage

[ltbrown122 at aol.com]

From: Prete, Michael
Sent: Tue 10/13/2009 6:21 PM
To: Prete, Michael; #FRS.DFRS; #FRS.Federal Chiefs; #FRS.Volunteer Chiefs
Subject: RE: Radio Interruption Plan - 1800 - 0700

All,

The radio shop declared, at 1600 hrs, that the Berkshire Tower was back in service. However, as a result of independent testing from our Cache Radio Teams, we have determined that problems do in fact exist in the system, and that the repeater is not fully operational. As a result of the lack of confidence in the system, and the potential for unexpected outages to occur during the night, I have elected to retain the VCR Units through the night and continue the plan as written below. Personnel from the county radio shop feel that to continue to troubleshoot the system any further tonight would be counter productive, and as such, will most like be suspending repair efforts until tomorrow morning. Captain Charles Bailey will continue to act as the liaison with the various agencies associated with this outage, and will provide further updates tomorrow as information becomes available. MFR Brian Jefferson will continue to coordinate the NCR VRS teams and manage personnel in coordination with the Scheduling Office as personnel needs change.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this technical problem. Unless there is a change to this situation later tonight, this will be the final update. This operational period will end at 0700 hours on Wednesday, October 14, and a new IAP created based on the Intel we have at that time. Thanks, Mike

Assistant Chief Michael Prete

Duty Operations Chief - C Shift

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services

-----Original Message-----
From: Prete, Michael 
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:56 PM
To: #FRS.DFRS; #FRS.Federal Chiefs; #FRS.Volunteer Chiefs
Subject: Radio Interruption Plan - 1530 - 2300

As you all are aware, the radio repeater at Berkshire Towers is OOS due to a water problem earlier today. The Radio Shop, DTS and all associated personnel have been working diligently all day to restore the service. However, as of this moment, the repair status of this service is unknown. The repeater affects the ability to transmit and receive inside structures primarily in the 1st and 4th battalions. As such, the following plan will be initiated from now, until the problem is resolved, with an update scheduled to come at or about 2300 hrs today:

1. 3 VRS Units will be placed in service

2. The VRS Units will be housed at FS16, FS18 and FS12

3. The VRS Units will have the designation VRS16, VRS18, VRS12

4. The units will be dispatched at the discretion of ECC using the structure type and number of units responding as the criteria

5. When a single 3 person EMS unit is dispatched, personnel no VRS unit will be dispatched and the 3rd person should remain in the unit and monitor "Oscar"

6. Once all the VRS Units are deployed, ECC will begin supplementing single response units with manpower units. These units are to provide radio support by monitoring "Oscar" and relaying radio traffic

7. Units should release the VRS Units as soon as they are no longer needed

8. Station watch will continue

9. Condition red will continue

Thank you all for your attention as we work through this issue. As we know more, I will provide updates. Thanks, Mike