Real Scanner Listeners.
I am driving down the road and I hear a call to either Police/Fire/Rescue
about an accident and IF It is on the same road -- I have every RIGHT to know so that I can slow to a safer approach until I see it and just let the other assholes yapping on the cellphones roll on by. If I am on the Vol. Fire Dept. or Rescue then I may continue as a first responder in a safe manner and not cause another accident. But I am not on either the Fire or Rescue/EMT teams, so therefore I will maintain my watchful eye for the accident ahead. I have, in rare situations, rendered assistance with traffic awareness until Virginia State police/County units and fire/rescue arrived and advised them that I was not a witness, yet I stopped to check if someone had called in. They welcomed my assistance and thanked me and said,"Alright, Sean. Thank you very much and be careful going home / to work. We'll take it from here, now. Good job." That's what involvment should be. Yet, some localities will look at you as though you are impersonating law enforcement. I have lived in Amelia County, Virginia for 35 Years. I know a fraction of Local Law enforcement units, Fire and Rescue/EMTs, I also know some in the Virginia State Police. They know me --- IN a Good Way. I would like to ask a question to those who might know what I am talking about. (This has been my concern for quite some time and wanted to know if it is just me or some folks feel uneasy about me being around them.) When I was real young, I used to climb up into the cab of the Fire Trucks or Ambulance, or in the police car. I am grown up now, and when I go near these vehicles I notice some members look at me in a "Who the hell is he andwhy is he coming over here?" look. As an EMT or Firefighter or Police officer, I would greet someone, regardless of age, in a cordial manner and invite them to look inside or sit inside as long as they didn't take off or scare someone with the siren/horn (with a chuckle.) I feel a repulsive attitude coming from those who are on the Fire or Rescue/EMT teams when I even come near them. What have I ever done or said to these people that are acting this way and yet turn around and are laughing and joking with those in their "clique". I would speak to them in a cordial manner and all they would do is look at me and shrug and I would hear them whisper to the others that "his daddy runs the schools that's why I don't talk to him." I am also a Ham Radio operator and in Amelia County, Virginia -- your'e not considered good company around EMTs and Firefighters and Local Law enforcement. You're looked down upon because you have radios that can receive their frequencies. It Is Illegal for anyone to transmit on those frequencies, unless they are with the County Sheriff/ Fire or Rescue. We don't mount Red lights on our vehicles where ever we go. We have Mobile Command Stations, antennas, radios, and equipment that can take the place of cell phone and/ landline phones when power is disrupted. We use HF, VHF and UHF radios and can do autopatches and conduct emergency nets and training operations over amateur radio frequencies. We can talk to other stations around the world. And yet, we are considered bad company around others when helping out in a disaster situation. Some places in the U.S. Welcome Hams! I guess it depends on who really knows you anymore when you're a Ham than it's who you know or don't know. (I tried to make it sound good or make sense of it) I will now come down from my tower now. Tnx. Sean KD4ADV |
Real Scanner Listeners.
"Sean Ingram" wrote in message
... I am driving down the road and I hear a call to either Police/Fire/Rescue about an accident and IF It is on the same road -- I have every RIGHT to know so that I can slow to a safer approach until I see it and just let the other assholes yapping on the cellphones roll on by. If I am on the Vol. Fire Dept. or Rescue then I may continue as a first responder in a safe manner and not cause another accident. But I am not on either the Fire or Rescue/EMT teams, so therefore I will maintain my watchful eye for the accident ahead. I have, in rare situations, rendered assistance with traffic awareness until Virginia State police/County units and fire/rescue arrived and advised them that I was not a witness, yet I stopped to check if someone had called in. They welcomed my assistance and thanked me and said,"Alright, Sean. Thank you very much and be careful going home / to work. We'll take it from here, now. Good job." That's what involvment should be. Yet, some localities will look at you as though you are impersonating law enforcement. I have lived in Amelia County, Virginia for 35 Years. I know a fraction of Local Law enforcement units, Fire and Rescue/EMTs, I also know some in the Virginia State Police. They know me --- IN a Good Way. I would like to ask a question to those who might know what I am talking about. (This has been my concern for quite some time and wanted to know if it is just me or some folks feel uneasy about me being around them.) When I was real young, I used to climb up into the cab of the Fire Trucks or Ambulance, or in the police car. I am grown up now, and when I go near these vehicles I notice some members look at me in a "Who the hell is he andwhy is he coming over here?" look. As an EMT or Firefighter or Police officer, I would greet someone, regardless of age, in a cordial manner and invite them to look inside or sit inside as long as they didn't take off or scare someone with the siren/horn (with a chuckle.) I feel a repulsive attitude coming from those who are on the Fire or Rescue/EMT teams when I even come near them. What have I ever done or said to these people that are acting this way and yet turn around and are laughing and joking with those in their "clique". I would speak to them in a cordial manner and all they would do is look at me and shrug and I would hear them whisper to the others that "his daddy runs the schools that's why I don't talk to him." I am also a Ham Radio operator and in Amelia County, Virginia -- your'e not considered good company around EMTs and Firefighters and Local Law enforcement. You're looked down upon because you have radios that can receive their frequencies. It Is Illegal for anyone to transmit on those frequencies, unless they are with the County Sheriff/ Fire or Rescue. We don't mount Red lights on our vehicles where ever we go. We have Mobile Command Stations, antennas, radios, and equipment that can take the place of cell phone and/ landline phones when power is disrupted. We use HF, VHF and UHF radios and can do autopatches and conduct emergency nets and training operations over amateur radio frequencies. We can talk to other stations around the world. And yet, we are considered bad company around others when helping out in a disaster situation. Some places in the U.S. Welcome Hams! I guess it depends on who really knows you anymore when you're a Ham than it's who you know or don't know. (I tried to make it sound good or make sense of it) I will now come down from my tower now. Tnx. Sean KD4ADV I fall into each of the aforementioned catagories. Scanner listener, (Former EMT and Paramedic) - now Vol. Firefighter, Amateur Radio Operator AND EMA Coordinator. I am just going to "suggest" that given today's attitude of "be aware" - many are doing just that. Around an EMS or Fire Rescue Unit that may carry drugs, perhaps there is fear of drugs or the paraphenalia being stolen. After all, at least around here - what is in those boxes - "better" be accounted for. Otherwise EMTs, Firefighters "should" try to give some guided tours of the equipment if time permits. It instills a sense of respect and knowledge in the public - knowing that those groups are equipped to deal with most any emergency and the firefighters/medics are their friends. As to Hams - many Public Service folks who are not hams could care less about hams - or CB for that matter. To them, you're in the way. Trying to play a role you're not suited for. We fought an uphill battle here to get some of our guys to accept ham. One fateful night when the fire radio was swamped during a major flood and rumors running rampant about a dam burst - I was able to allow several to listen to a couple hams "standing" near "that" dam - and say with certainty - the dam was NOT being compromised. They were able to then disregard the still unconfirmed rumors on the fire radio and believe all was going to be ok. They were proven right when the dam did not burst. "That" sold them. NOW - when there is an emergency - they think I'm naked if I don't show up at our Command center with any radio equipment. They're so used to watching me set up my emergency comms gear - 2 meters - 440 and H.F. I'd do CB too, but many of those I knew - no longer are on CB and the rest don't get on until the wee hours of the morning to chat. That is of no help to me. Anytime we have a warning issued for flood, tornado, etc...... most who may not hear the radio - see me and another person heading to the command post - they say - Gloom and Doom are going to the station - something is up - they know we don't go there for nothing. At the very least - if not carrying my Ham Comms equipment, I have at least a portable scanner, my Fire pager, Fire Radio Portable and my laptop with my disaster plan stored on two separate disks - with me. By standers or people going down the highway CAN stop at an accident to make sure things are taking place - BUT - you must be very careful of any hazards. You could come on some chemical, downed power lines, etc. The best thing to do is yell to the parties if you see any - asking if they're ok or whatever - relay that to 911 from a safe distance. Some brave souls "will" go to the people injured or trapped and have been heroes. Others have become victims. IF you have a decent rapport with the local Police - Fire - EMS - you may be on your way as to Ham ops - teach someone of them who may lend an ear - what Ham can do. Get them involved. You can tell them too - that many of their brothers and sisters around the country are Ham Ops. One thing is - in a disaster - the "Cell" phones DO tend to be swamped. It happpened during 911 and the great Power Outage of the North East. IF they go down - Technicians do NOT get there immediately to repair the damage and even at that - may NOT be able to repair it very soon. Some comms sites are in remote locations - very tough to get to in a good day. Hams can set up Comms instantly - portable repeaters, etc. There just aren't enough "Technicians" to service a "multiple" comms strike - should one occur. In our area, there are like 3 companies who service like 4 counties. THAT is a lot of coverage. A major hit like Katrina - can and will cause havoc. So, Hams CAN come in handy - IF they are utilized. BUT the Hams MUST understand - though they may do the comms, they aren't to do anything they're not supposed to OR release info not cleared for "them" to release. This isn't difficult to set up but it can't be done in a day and certainly without willing participants. I welcome Hams in my coverage - we operate a "net" and I assign whoever is not in imminent danger - as "Net Control" - provided they can do so without panicing. I have people in the areas most important to me (but not in harms way) - give me updates on what is going on - that I need to know. I ask "Specific" questions. They already know to keep any unwanted traffic OFF the air. Hams and Public Service CAN AND DO work well together if given a chance - and some training is held. They need to be told what to report, what NOT to report on the air - usually if need be - and Public Service Comms are down - a Ham will accompany one of those Service folks. There is also what is called INCIDENT COMMAND. This is established at most any emergency. The first person in - in charge - takes control and sets it up. They use this system to run the entire emergency from start to finish. It encompasses many facets of the emergency. There is "supposed" to be at least ONE person from any group involved Police, Fire, EMS, EMA, Public Works, Ham, whoever is involved - there at the Command Post to report to the Incident Commander and to take his orders and pass them along down the chain. I know there has been an article or two in the magazines that "most" of these services get at their stations - as to Ham Radio involvement and "suggested" using it. This is the quick and dirty explaination in trying to answer your questions. I try not to go into too much detail so folks not in the system will get confused. There are references online as to Incident Command and so on - you could get some more detail and idea as to function. clf |
Real Scanner Listeners.
Sean,
I'll echo what the other person has said. And add my own spin. 1. At an incident, bystander help has been inconvenient and appreciated depending on the day. Had someone come up to the car and yank a door open on an unstable car prior to the jaws being ready for safe extrication. On another day, had a bystander with medical training who calmed a victim until we could get on scene. I'll be honest, for general safety purposes, I'd rather have people who are trained stopping than just anyone. They know the risks and should be better able to make an informed risk - benefit decision. 2. When working a scene, my vehicle is off limits unless you are a responder. I'll prepare equipment and be set up for care necessary as soon as the patient hits the back. Afterwards, until I clean up it may be unsafe. The notes on the marker board and EKG strips on the counter are medical information and controlled. Depending on the call, the interior may need to be cleaned and mopped because of body fluids. Otherwise, I'm open for visitors. I enjoy having people stop at the station or during a PR event. I work for a government funded service therefore it's "their"" ambulance not "mine". Their tax money bought and equipped it. I just get to use it every day I'm on shift. Kids of any age get a chance to see the rig and what it can do. If they have a Walter Mitty moment sitting in the seat, that's OK by me. I get a chance to do a little public education on our phone first, Knox box, or other programs. It's time to help people not be afraid of all the "stuff" that gets carried in the house or to their car when help is needed. And there's that priceless moment - I've had family members come up on these events and say "Were you working the day my mom/dad/child went in the ambulance? Thank you for being there." 3. Scanning the current spectrum is getting to be a pain in the butt. Used to have a broadband scanner or two and keep track of everything in a 30 mile radius. We had low band VHF dispatch, high band VHF operations, and UHF for one police department. Today, it's VHF high band and 800 trunked. But, can't listen to it all. The VHF stuff is still ok. Trunked is another matter. One area uses Motorola, everyone else is EDACS. Thought my RS2052 was doing good then they added a couple frequencies to the tower which changed the channel pecking order and I've been unable to get it to resynch. Why is scanning important? Our department can't afford 30+ EDACS portables (+ monthly access fees) for all members. With a decent tracking scanner, people can keep track and know when things are hopping before their pagers go off for an off shift call back. As well we can monitor adjacent districts that we don't want to purchase rights into their system for our trunked radios. just my 0.02 MAH |
Real Scanner Listeners.
True, my position would be to monitor traffic to a lane open away from the
scene. I have these triangles that I set up behind us so that others can see them. When actual units arrive and set up theirs I will remove mine and pack them up and let them take care of it. And, I don't dare put anyone in my vehicle in reference to what you said. No victim is to be moved ---- Unless there is a danger of a fire from the accident. This is before help arrives. If it the vehicles are not on fire --- All Occupants are to remain in their vehicles! Because if one is not supposed to remove them and if they do --- an injury could occur and things could lead to be paralyzation and a lawsuit against the person who moved the accident victim whene there was no danger of the vehicle catching fire. Sean "mah" wrote in message ... Sean, I'll echo what the other person has said. And add my own spin. 1. At an incident, bystander help has been inconvenient and appreciated depending on the day. Had someone come up to the car and yank a door open on an unstable car prior to the jaws being ready for safe extrication. On another day, had a bystander with medical training who calmed a victim until we could get on scene. I'll be honest, for general safety purposes, I'd rather have people who are trained stopping than just anyone. They know the risks and should be better able to make an informed risk - benefit decision. 2. When working a scene, my vehicle is off limits unless you are a responder. I'll prepare equipment and be set up for care necessary as soon as the patient hits the back. Afterwards, until I clean up it may be unsafe. The notes on the marker board and EKG strips on the counter are medical information and controlled. Depending on the call, the interior may need to be cleaned and mopped because of body fluids. Otherwise, I'm open for visitors. I enjoy having people stop at the station or during a PR event. I work for a government funded service therefore it's "their"" ambulance not "mine". Their tax money bought and equipped it. I just get to use it every day I'm on shift. Kids of any age get a chance to see the rig and what it can do. If they have a Walter Mitty moment sitting in the seat, that's OK by me. I get a chance to do a little public education on our phone first, Knox box, or other programs. It's time to help people not be afraid of all the "stuff" that gets carried in the house or to their car when help is needed. And there's that priceless moment - I've had family members come up on these events and say "Were you working the day my mom/dad/child went in the ambulance? Thank you for being there." 3. Scanning the current spectrum is getting to be a pain in the butt. Used to have a broadband scanner or two and keep track of everything in a 30 mile radius. We had low band VHF dispatch, high band VHF operations, and UHF for one police department. Today, it's VHF high band and 800 trunked. But, can't listen to it all. The VHF stuff is still ok. Trunked is another matter. One area uses Motorola, everyone else is EDACS. Thought my RS2052 was doing good then they added a couple frequencies to the tower which changed the channel pecking order and I've been unable to get it to resynch. Why is scanning important? Our department can't afford 30+ EDACS portables (+ monthly access fees) for all members. With a decent tracking scanner, people can keep track and know when things are hopping before their pagers go off for an off shift call back. As well we can monitor adjacent districts that we don't want to purchase rights into their system for our trunked radios. just my 0.02 MAH |
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