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Sunday, July 10, 2011 Much apologies for letting this one slip through the cracks. As you may or may not know, there is concern that providing commercial broadband coverage adjacent to frequencies utilized by GPS. Here's a not-so-recent memo on the subject. National Public Safety Telecommunications Council May 11, 2011 NPSTC Update: GPS Interference Working Group LightSquared (previously SkyTerra) is a company that has spectrum in the 1.5 GHz band adjacent to the spectrum used by all Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. LightSquared plans to build an LTE terrestrial network with approximately 40,000 sites which would provide wholesalecapacity to commercial broadband providers. This could radically change and degrade the spectrum environment in which adjacent GPS signals are received, as strong signals from the LightSquared facilities could block GPS reception by public safety communications facilities and devices. In January, the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) wrote to the FCC raising concerns about the potential for interference. Accurate GPS information is very important to the public safety community. GPS signals are used for wireless 9-1-1 location, support of dispatch operations which select the "closest responder" based on GPS location, mapping/response directions to responders, and synchronization of simulcast systems across the country. LightSquared committed to the FCC that it will test for for interference and submit a report by June 15, 2011, to document the potential for interference to GPS and recommended mitigation procedures. NPSTC volunteered and was selected to participate in the GPS Technical Working Group (TWG) being co-chaired by LightSquared and the U.S. GPS Industry Council to assess the potential for interference. Members of NPSTC's own GPS Interference WG submitted representative operational scenarios for public safety utilization of GPS infrastructure and devices to be incorporated into the reports and test plans that the TWG will be using to evaluate and measure the potential for interference that may be caused by the proposed LightSquared broadband network. The development of test procedures and acquisition of devices from manufacturers for testing has followed a very aggressive timeline. Actual testing of the devices begins the week of May 16 and will end on June 3. Public safety participants in NPSTC's GPS Interference WG will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the degradation data, how it is interpreted, and what acceptance rates for degradation would work for public safety. NPSTC specifically wants to ensure public safety use of GPS is protected from potential interference that could result if the FCC grants LightSquared's request. Public safety uses such as wireless 9-1-1 location, and use of GPS to support: · Dispatch of "closest responder" based on GPS location · Mapping/response directions to responders based on GPS · Synchronization of thousands of simulcast systems across the country based on GPS time signals and a myriad of other mission critical functions requires a detailed interference study as requested by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to be conducted by qualified technical specialists who understand the GPS, including its classified roles/uses. The Commission and public safety already have extensive experience on the problems created when interference must be resolved after the fact. Public safety has been involved in the multi-year 800 MHz rebanding initiative in which the time originally predicted for conclusion continues to expand. Public safety simply does not have the resources needed to "fix" another major interference problem after the fact. Fortunately, in the case of LightSquared's application, there is awareness and recognition that there is a potential problem, so it should be resolved at the outset before harmful interference has a chance to occur. NPSTC's letter to the FCC made these recommendations: · Efforts to determine the degree and impact of interference to GPS from the LightSquared system must include public safety, not just other commercial services. · NPSTC and its designated technical representatives should be included in any testing · It is premature to cap LightSquared's financial responsibility at the $20 million offered to support testing, pending the additional analysis to determine the extent and degree of impact to the reception of GPS, as well as the full cost of any viable remedies needed to prevent interference. · The FCC should require thorough interference analysis and testing to GPS use by public safety and others prior to granting LightSquared authority to provide service. However, should the Commission still move forward with a conditional grant prior to testing, NPSTC strongly recommends that any grant be conditioned on not causing interference to GPS use by public safety and other critical entities, in addition to any protection provided for commercial systems. NPSTC is a federation of organizations whose mission is to improve public safety communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials | American Radio Relay League | Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies | Association of Public Safety Communications Officials | Forestry Conservation Communications Association | International Association of Chiefs of Police | International Associate of Emergency Managers | International Association of Fire Chiefs | International Municipal Signal Association | National Association of State Chief Information Officers | National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials | National Association of State Foresters | National Association of State Technology Directors | National Sheriffs' Association | National Emergency Number Association
Sunday, July 10, 2011 A single misheard word began a series of events that lead to the almost half-hour delay of dispatching fire apparatus in Hamilton County, TN. The call was processed instead as a medical call, and the series of follow up questions led down a path that resulted in no assistance being sent. Read more details and hear the tape at:http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/15043788/pauls-story
Sunday, July 10, 2011 National 9-1-1 Assessment GuidelinesThe 9-1-1 Resource Center has a project underway to develop consensus-based universal guidelines to serve as the basis for a 9-1-1 statewide program assessment process. The National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines were developed as a result of that project and are now available for public comment. Refer to the press release below for additional information on the guidelines and their creation. Please find the link to the guidelines below. Comments received will be considered prior to the release of the final guidelines.Instructions: Interested parties may provide comments using the comment form found below. The comment form should be submitted by e-mail to info@911resourcecenter.org. The comment period will remain open until September, 26, 2011.
Sunday, July 10, 2011 The Anderson, SC 9-1-1 center was recently struck by lightning, temporarily knocking out service and injuring employees. In the middle of summer storm season, it's a good time to ask what degree of COOP have you done for your dispatch? We all know about RIT and stretching a second line on the fire ground, but what about the place where all the action starts? The prime radio site for Knox County, TN recently suffered a similar fate, but a back-up system located at the 9-1-1 center itself was quickly put into service. (The former Executive Director who put that system in place must be pretty sharp!)In any event, bad things happen at the dispatch center, too, so it pays to prepare. Surf to: http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/jul/05/repairs-911-system-may-cost-over-1-million/ for more information, and look at NFPA 1221 for ways to make your center safer.
Saturday, June 18, 2011 Emergency dispatcher Tracy Wilson experienced true horror earlier this week, when she learned that the victim in a call she handled was in fact her 17-year-old son. The teenager, Mitchel Krause, was on a fishing expedition with friends at Rock Cut State Park on Tuesday, just south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border. When Wilson started receiving 911 calls about a drowning in the park, she told the Peoria Journal-Star that she refused to imagine that it was her son. "As a dispatcher, you can't think that way," Wilson said. But when she received a call from a police officer in nearby Loves Park, Illinois, she knew that something terrible had happened. Krause's canoe apparently tipped over, submerging him under the water. He was below for around 30 to 40 minutes, and was pronounced dead at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He had just finished his junior year of high school, according to NBC Chicago. His mother says he was a strong swimmer, and that she doesn't know why he was unable to make it back to the shores of Pierce Lake. An autopsy revealed no physical injuries that could have hindered him.
Sunday, June 5, 2011 In a case of "what's next" with the economy, the board of the Barry County 9-1-1 District may be facing bankruptcy. Although spending cuts are in place, a series of events has placed their financial future in jeopardy. Here's the story:http://www.cassville-democrat.com/story/1731179.html
Saturday, May 28, 2011 An unflatering observation by a calltaker Hawaii has resulted in a readdresing of training needs. While taking a call from the sole survivor of a fireworks bunker explosion, the telecommunicator referred to him as a (expletive) idiot. Read the full story ehre:http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14702522/911-call-from-waikele-explosion-prompts-changes-in-dispatcher-training
Saturday, May 28, 2011 A California Highway Patrol Supervisor has failed to get his name removed from a lawsuit filed by the family of a teen killed in 2006. Howver, this suit has nothing to do with the call center's handling of the case. Instead, Aaron Reich is among those accused of distributing photos of the decapitated crash victim on the Internet. Read more about this aspect of emergency services and social media here:http://www.ocregister.com/news/reich-302286-family-court.html
Saturday, May 14, 2011 Confusion concerning the jurisdiction of an address led to an 8 minute delay in apparatus arriving at a structure fire in PA. Catch all of the details at:http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_18031590
Monday, May 9, 2011 If you haven't seen it yet, you have to catch this video concerning fire service communications and interoperability. It's priceless.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ln-PBPb54U
Saturday, May 7, 2011 In what is probably the most convoluted series of events I've seen in a long time, a fired Milwaukee Fire Dispatcher has sued to get his job back. The triggering incident behind his dismissal makes for interesting reading, and could well be a plot for a mini-series. Sort through it yourself at:http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/120819404.html
Saturday, May 7, 2011 The State of West Virginia has mandated that by July of 2013 all 9-1-1 centers provide Emegency Medical Dispatch instructions to callers. Thse protocols, available from multiple sources, are increasingly becoming standard practice, and are either mandated or currently under discussion in several other states. Currently, in WEst Virginia about 40% of 9-1-1 centers provide EMD, 40% are working on it, and 20% have no plan.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Hey folks, just a friendly reminder that National Telecommunicators' Week will be here again, beginning April 10th. So, please, take a few minutes sometime during those seven days to thank those guys and gals who have your backs 24 x 7 x 365. Officially recognized by Congress, this week specifically honors those in public safety. It's still not too late to have your chief, mayor, or board make it official in your town, too. APCO International offers a sample proclamation and cover letter at: http://npstw.com/toolkit/ All you have to do is get a copy of your leltterhead and fill in the blanks.
Monday, March 21, 2011 In Rochester, NY one tireless dispatcher wound up making more than the mayor last year. Of course, some wags will say that as it should be, but the bulk of these earnings were made up of OT. Now folks are complaining about the amount, but would thet complpain louder if no one answered their 9-1-1 call? OT has been a way of life for many - if not most - 9-1-1 centers who often use it regularly just to meet minimum staffing. See the whole article at: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110306/NEWS01/103060354/0/group01/City-payroll-cuts-seem-likely-50M-deficit-nears?odyssey=nav%7Chead
Monday, March 21, 2011 Sprint announced a new standard in PTT features recently, which is of interest to all public safety users on the network. The press release is here:http://newsroom.sprint.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1823
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