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In addition to the digital trunked radio technology, VHF Simplex, 700/800 MHz Analog Simplex, and 700/800 Digital Simplex radio systems were used to test the effectiveness of the radios. A total of approximately 1,500 talk paths were tested in 30 buildings that were representative of all fire construction types as classified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). To ensure consistency in the grading process,the same test participants were used throughout the testing.
A team from the Electromagnetics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Boulder), participated in the testing phase of radio signal measurements. The NIST measurements showed large signal variations, often greater than a factor of two, over the limited distance of a single floor in the structure. This information contradicts vendor claims that buildings within certain geographical areas should have specific decibel strengths in order to have adequate in-building
communications. The data collected by the Phoenix Fire Department demonstrated an overwhelming preference for analog (versus digital) modulation. In the analog mode, performance differences between the frequency bands appeared to be negligible. For this data set, digital modulation and trunked radios had a higher failure rate and the audio quality scored below the ratings in analog mode. To learn more about these and other recommendations found in the report, go to http://phoenix.gov//FIRE /radioreport.pdf.
PFD Firefighter with radio.
Many new and recently renovated government facilities have windows that are specially designed to protect occupants from glass fragments and debris that may result from explosions, high winds, gun shots, physical attack, and other severe events. These special windows are generally harder to break than typical windows. This may cause some difficulties for an unsuspecting and unprepared occupant or firefighter attempting to vent or clear a window in the case of an emergency. In response, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Public Building Service (PBS) sponsored the development of training to make occupants and
emergency responders aware of the special characteristics of security
windows and to provide training in proper methods to ingress or egress
through such systems.
The training presents background information on blast, hurricane, and
ballistic resistant windows, along with methods and issues associated
with clearing such windows. The web-based training is available to the
public at
http://www.oca.gsa.gov/ firefighter/index.php . The website includes
videos of firefighters using hand tools and power tools to vent and
clear a wide variety of windows. In addition the full report and a
training manual are downloadable from the website.
Students may evaluate their knowledge by taking the examination and are
eligible for a certificate of training should they pass the test.
Since the training website was made available in July 2005, several
hundred firefighters and other interested parties have taken the course
and successfully passed the online examination. The need for such
information was first identified by Mr. Willie Hirano of GSA’s Region 10
in Auburn WA . Mr. Steven C. Smith GSA’s Subject Matter Expert for
Security located in Washington DC facilitated the development of the
on-line training and its distribution to the general public.
For further information contact: Mr. Steven Smith at stevenc.smith@gsa.gov or Mr. Willie Hirano at willie.hirano@gsa.gov.
Image from training course.
