Q & A With the NYSAFC Communications Committee

As reported in a previous issue of The NYSAFC Bugle, the association’s Communications Committee has been looking for ways to help members. Committee members decided to offer assistance by serving as a resource for New York’s emergency responders regarding fire service communications issues. This is the first installment in a "questions and answers" series that will be published in The NYSAFC Bugle.

Readers are encouraged to submit questions about communications issues they are facing on the local level. If committee members can’t answer your question, they will find the answer or refer you to someone who can help. Answers will be provided directly via email, and then shared in this forum to assist others across the state (names of individuals/departments will be omitted).

Committee members are located throughout the state, so they have a very broad perspective when it comes to New York state fire service communications issues. NYSAFC's 2013-2014 Communications Committee members include:

• Past Chief Edward Wright P.E., Chairman – Cicero Fire Department
• Past Chief Mark Lacivita – Defreestville Fire Department
• Coordinator Brian La Flure – Warren County OFC
• Chief of Operations Myles Quinn – Brentwood Fire District
• Battalion Chief William Timmons – Ridge Road Fire District
• Past Chief Laurence Vaughan – Brockport Fire Department
• Chief Brian Wilbur – Ithaca Fire Department

Please submit your questions, along with your contact information, to: radio@nysfirechiefs.com

Question #1:

Communications Multi-Band Interoperability – What are the Pros and Cons?

The emphasis on communications interoperability across the various radio bands, both from a pure operational standpoint and for grant eligibility, has put a spotlight on multi-band radios. With the varied technology and configurations available, there have been questions about functionality and the field experience agencies have had with this equipment. What can you tell us about multi-band radios?

Communications Committee Reply:

Multi-band Pros and Cons

This is an interesting question that has a number of answers. There are several types of interoperability. In one case you have the frequencies of those you work with on a regular basis, and you utilize that frequency depending on location. In the second case, you utilize the given interoperability channels and use a call channel to contact the local communications center, and then you will be patched to or sent to a TAC channel for the operation.

The best would probably be a combination of both, and that’s where the multi-band radios come in.

Multi-Band Radio Equipment

Pro: Multi-band radios give you the capability to have several different bands (up to four depending on brand), and you need only one microphone and a single control head in the driver’s area.

Con: You can only listen to and talk on one frequency at a time, and with the scan feature you may miss transmissions on another channel.

Pro: You may be able to reduce the number of antennas on the vehicle, as some bands can be combined into one antenna, i.e. low band on one, and VHF-Hi, UHF, and 800 on the other.

Con: In fringe areas, having an antenna tuned just for that particular band may provide better talk-out strength.

Pro: Multi-band radios "may" provide a cost savings on equipment and installation.

Con: With only one radio to do all of your communications, a failure of that unit leaves you without any capabilities.

Pro: Some multi-band set-ups can give you the ability to repeat or cross band.

Con: This can be very dangerous if initiated incorrectly and can cause confusion for those involved.

Some conclusions: In our opinion, the multi-band radio is very helpful to those who travel into other jurisdictions regularly, like state and county officers (law, fire, EMS, OEM). For the rank and file responders, especially those at a scene, having that much radio is expensive, confusing, and could result in missing critical communications. Ultimately, each area or agency will have to study just what it needs and how often it will be needed. Comparing cost versus actual usage must be looked at. One important step we can all take immediately: ALL public safety agencies should take action now to install all the national interoperability frequencies for their particular band in every radio in their fleet.

Question #2:

We have heard that Motorola is discontinuing production of their Minitor V pagers and that the new Minitor VI will not be available to support low band. Is this true? Some of us will be using low band for a long time. Where can we get pagers?

Communications Committee Reply:

Yes, we have confirmed via Motorola’s website that they planned to stop taking orders for their Minitor V pagers effective February 21, 2014. We have also confirmed via their website that their new Minitor VI pager specs do not include a low band model. We do not know if Motorola plans to add a low band model at a later date.

As we all know, there is a big push to move from low band to higher frequencies. We have heard for years that manufacturers would stop supplying low band equipment. This may be an example of just that. We also know that many fire service agencies will be remaining on low band for quite some time, especially in more rural areas.

As agencies move away from low band, it would seem likely that there will be many surplus low band pagers available for sale. We would suggest that you check websites that sell such surplus items (e.g. eBay, etc.) to see what you can find. We have also heard that another manufacturer (Unication) has just introduced a new low band pager. We have no affiliation with any manufacturers or suppliers, but we have heard some good feedback on this new offering. There are probably other low band pager manufacturers or refurbishers to be found via a web search.  

Responses to these questions were provided by NYSAFC Communications Committee members. The information is intended to provide help to fire service personnel. Remember, committee members are not the final authority on radio related issues. Be sure to research these issues thoroughly before making any operational or procurement decisions. The committee welcomes feedback and additional input on these issues via email at radio@nysfirechiefs.com