Posted on March 22, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Members of the Starke County Firefighters Association met this week to review radio communications between departments.
Fire department personnel have been to the Starke County Commissioners and Starke County Council meetings for several months to explain the complications they are experiencing with static bursts heard over the radios, pagers not going off, issues with the talk around channel on the repeater, poor performance, and poor coverage in the certain portions of the county. The communication problems between firefighter and the dispatch center and between firefighters themselves have also been reported to the county officials.
Association President Kenny Pfost said an evaluation was done by Miner Electronics that included the infrastructure of the VHF radio system that the fire departments utilize.
“There weren’t any really major issues I don’t believe, but there are things that can be done to help improve the system that we have,” commented Pfost.
According to the report from Miner Electronics which was submitted into the record as part of the minutes of the Starke County Commissioners meeting on March 4, the grounding of some equipment to certain specifications is the most pressing matter.
The report went on to say that the Starke County Fire radio system is well maintained and was built using equipment with good reputations for quality and reliability. J&K Communications is the current vendor.
Pfost said that the tones coming from the dispatch center are different than the tones that are used by the department themselves when they re-tone calls.
“There is a significant difference in the tones which could be a big part of why the department is missing the calls.”
A radio committee meeting is being planned to further discuss the issue and determine the next step to get the problems solved.
Showing posts with label radio communications system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label radio communications system. Show all posts
Friday, March 22, 2019
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Starke County Commissioners to Look for Different Radio Communications Vendor
Posted on January 8, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
With the lack of resolution to the ongoing radio communications with the Starke County’s firefighters, the Starke County Commissioners will be looking for a different radio vendor.
IT Director Richard Franks presented an invoice from current vendor J&K Communications for work done on radios and the radio tower at North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department and Railroad Township. Eric Wappel, who is the captain at the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department, asked the commissioners to not pay that invoice as nothing has been repaired. He said firefighters can’t receive pager notifications and can’t talk to each other with their radios without having to be inside the fire truck.
He also gave other commentary.
“On Sept. 12, a man had a heart attack and it was witnessed. He ended up passing away. We had a CPR-certified firefighter less than one mile away who didn’t know about this incident because his pager didn’t break. Our squad, which made scene before the ambulance, could have had a paramedic on it to provide advanced care on arrival, but his pager also didn’t break. Up to this day almost every call I have someone tells me that their pager didn’t break. Our VH radio system has always had some issues, but since springtime it’s been broken. Along with pagers not alerting us to calls, or breaking as it’s commonly called, our handheld radios will not work. We’ve asked multiple times and we’ve had all departments in here before to tell you that J&K is not the answer. They’ve told us probably10 times that they’ve fixed our system. As of a few days ago, it still doesn’t work,” stated Wappel.
He also discussed an issue with frequency changes.
Wappel agreed to produce a list of possible vendors for the commissioners to consider other than J&K Communications. Commissioner Kathy Norem agreed that it’s critical that the county’s emergency services have the necessary equipment and capabilities for communications.
Interviews will be set up with the commissioners and fire personnel from each department to get a qualified vendor. Meetings will be set up once the vendors are contacted and interest is confirmed.
The invoice was not approved or discussed beyond that point.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
With the lack of resolution to the ongoing radio communications with the Starke County’s firefighters, the Starke County Commissioners will be looking for a different radio vendor.
IT Director Richard Franks presented an invoice from current vendor J&K Communications for work done on radios and the radio tower at North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department and Railroad Township. Eric Wappel, who is the captain at the North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department, asked the commissioners to not pay that invoice as nothing has been repaired. He said firefighters can’t receive pager notifications and can’t talk to each other with their radios without having to be inside the fire truck.
He also gave other commentary.
“On Sept. 12, a man had a heart attack and it was witnessed. He ended up passing away. We had a CPR-certified firefighter less than one mile away who didn’t know about this incident because his pager didn’t break. Our squad, which made scene before the ambulance, could have had a paramedic on it to provide advanced care on arrival, but his pager also didn’t break. Up to this day almost every call I have someone tells me that their pager didn’t break. Our VH radio system has always had some issues, but since springtime it’s been broken. Along with pagers not alerting us to calls, or breaking as it’s commonly called, our handheld radios will not work. We’ve asked multiple times and we’ve had all departments in here before to tell you that J&K is not the answer. They’ve told us probably10 times that they’ve fixed our system. As of a few days ago, it still doesn’t work,” stated Wappel.
He also discussed an issue with frequency changes.
Wappel agreed to produce a list of possible vendors for the commissioners to consider other than J&K Communications. Commissioner Kathy Norem agreed that it’s critical that the county’s emergency services have the necessary equipment and capabilities for communications.
Interviews will be set up with the commissioners and fire personnel from each department to get a qualified vendor. Meetings will be set up once the vendors are contacted and interest is confirmed.
The invoice was not approved or discussed beyond that point.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Local Fire Departments Continue to Report Radio Issues
Posted on September 6, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Some fire departments are still reporting radio issues in Starke County.
During the Aug. 20 meeting of the Starke County Council and Commissioners, several firefighters aired frustrations over the constant issues with the county’s radio system, reporting that they are unable to speak to one another and aren’t receiving their tones to respond to emergency situations.
Representatives from J&K Communications were in the county that week to remedy the situation and it seemed to work, until Ted Bombagetti from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department told the Starke County Commissioners Tuesday that he ran into the same, recurring issues Monday night.
“I sat with a 100 watt radio in my tanker parked at the jail and I couldn’t even talk to the jail,” said Bombagetti. “I sat there and I listened to Porter County, La Porte County and Pulaski County and guess what? They all come in perfectly clear on VHF. So they’re not getting the static problems that we’re having, but yet our guy keeps telling us it’s because of the narrowbanding. Something is wrong somewhere!”
Another firefighter reported issues Monday night and alerted Commissioner Charlie Chesak of the problems he experienced.
IT Director Richard Franks confirmed that tone checks are clearing and J&K Communications is continuing to look into the issue. They’re expected to be in Starke County today (Thursday, Sept. 6).
Bombagetti agreed to contact another company to check the system to see what the underlying issue is so the firefighters, first responders, police and EMS can all talk to each other without any problems as it’s an extreme safety issue.
The commissioners agreed that the issue needs to be solved and they assured that steps are being taken to alleviate any lingering issues.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
Some fire departments are still reporting radio issues in Starke County.
During the Aug. 20 meeting of the Starke County Council and Commissioners, several firefighters aired frustrations over the constant issues with the county’s radio system, reporting that they are unable to speak to one another and aren’t receiving their tones to respond to emergency situations.
Representatives from J&K Communications were in the county that week to remedy the situation and it seemed to work, until Ted Bombagetti from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department told the Starke County Commissioners Tuesday that he ran into the same, recurring issues Monday night.
“I sat with a 100 watt radio in my tanker parked at the jail and I couldn’t even talk to the jail,” said Bombagetti. “I sat there and I listened to Porter County, La Porte County and Pulaski County and guess what? They all come in perfectly clear on VHF. So they’re not getting the static problems that we’re having, but yet our guy keeps telling us it’s because of the narrowbanding. Something is wrong somewhere!”
Another firefighter reported issues Monday night and alerted Commissioner Charlie Chesak of the problems he experienced.
IT Director Richard Franks confirmed that tone checks are clearing and J&K Communications is continuing to look into the issue. They’re expected to be in Starke County today (Thursday, Sept. 6).
Bombagetti agreed to contact another company to check the system to see what the underlying issue is so the firefighters, first responders, police and EMS can all talk to each other without any problems as it’s an extreme safety issue.
The commissioners agreed that the issue needs to be solved and they assured that steps are being taken to alleviate any lingering issues.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Meeting Scheduled to Address Starke County Emergency Communications Issues
Posted on April 24, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Emergency Management Agency wants to get stakeholders in the county’s radio communications system together in an attempt to solve problems with both VHF and 800 mHz systems.
The county commissioners last week charged EMA Director Jake Lippner with resolving the matter. He wants to set up a committee with representatives from every agency on the county’s system as well as anyone with knowledge of those systems or communications as a whole. Lippner says that also includes outside agencies that work on the system.
He says the focus will be to try and find the most effective, long-term fix for both the communication process and system. Lippner wants members to brainstorm and develop a five-year plan for the system and project.
He notes the radio system affects everyone in the community. Firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, EMS personnel and first responders use radios to communication among themselves and with Starke County dispatchers. Significant dead spots have been noted in Koontz Lake since a storm toppled a tower in downtown Knox several years ago. Lippner wants a clear path toward resolving the issues before offering a recommended fix to the Starke County Commissioners.
The committee’s first meeting will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the meeting room at the county annex building. Lippner asks anyone with a radio that is on the Starke County systems to either attend or send a proxy.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Emergency Management Agency wants to get stakeholders in the county’s radio communications system together in an attempt to solve problems with both VHF and 800 mHz systems.
The county commissioners last week charged EMA Director Jake Lippner with resolving the matter. He wants to set up a committee with representatives from every agency on the county’s system as well as anyone with knowledge of those systems or communications as a whole. Lippner says that also includes outside agencies that work on the system.
He says the focus will be to try and find the most effective, long-term fix for both the communication process and system. Lippner wants members to brainstorm and develop a five-year plan for the system and project.
He notes the radio system affects everyone in the community. Firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, EMS personnel and first responders use radios to communication among themselves and with Starke County dispatchers. Significant dead spots have been noted in Koontz Lake since a storm toppled a tower in downtown Knox several years ago. Lippner wants a clear path toward resolving the issues before offering a recommended fix to the Starke County Commissioners.
The committee’s first meeting will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the meeting room at the county annex building. Lippner asks anyone with a radio that is on the Starke County systems to either attend or send a proxy.
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