Post on 02-Jan-2016
description
Field Operations and Medical Command Communications
But first…
..
Radio 101…..
Types of Radios
• Base Radio– High power– Uses elevated antenna / tower
• Mobile Radio– Intermediate power– Uses roof mounted antenna– May use in doors on AC power (e.g., ED)
• Handheld Radio– Low Power– Integrated antenna– May use external antenna extension
• Scanner
Options in Public Safety Radio Systems
• Radio Spectrum– VHF, UHF, 700/800 MHz
• Analog vs. Digital • Conventional vs. Trunked
– Simplex – Duplex - Trunked
Radio Spectrum
150 MHz +/- 450 MHz +/- 700-800 MHz 4.9 GHz
New Public Safety Broadband
Analog vs. Digital Networks• Analog
– Translate an audio signal into radio frequency signals– Can also carry data by converting it to an analog signal
via a modem
• Digital– Translate an audio signal into a digital bit stream of ones
and zeros using “vocoder”– Stream is sent over the airwaves and decoded at the
receiving end– Receiving radio translates the digital stream into an audio
signal equivalent to the original voice message
Analog vs. DigitalAnalog Signal
Clear Signal
Signal begins to degrade
Signal unreadable with lots of static
Digital Signal
Clear Signal Clear Signal
Computer cuts signal
off when it becomes
unreadable
Simplex Radio Systems
• Transmits & receives on single frequency
• “Talk Around”• Like family walkie-
talkies
Radio A
Tx: 155.340
Rx: 155.340
Radio B
Tx: 155.340
Rx: 155.340
Radios C and D
Tx: 155.340
Rx: 155.340
Simplex Radio and Base Stations
Port. Radio A
Tx:155.340
Rx: 155.340
Base Radio B receives signal from Port. Radio A
Base Radio B
Tx:155.340
Rx: 155.340
Port. Radio C
Tx:155.340
Rx: 155.340
Port. Radio B too far away to receive signal from Port . Radio B
Simplex Radio and Base Stations
Port. Radio A
Tx:155.340
Rx: 155.340
Base Radio B
Tx:155.340
Rx: 155.340
Port. Radio C
Tx:155.340
Rx: 155.340
Base Radio A transmits with strong signal that is received by both portable radios.
Simplex Radio with Private Line(AKA Tone Squelch)
Hospital A
Tx: 155.340 Tone A
Rx: 155.340 Tone A
Hospital B
Tx: 155.340 Tone B
Rx: 155.340 Tone B
Ambulance C
Tx: 155.340 Tone A or B
Rx: 155.340 Tone A or B
Only radios with Tone A (or no tone squelch) will hear transmission from ambulance.
Duplex Radio System with Repeater
Port. Radio A
Tx: 467.950
Rx: 462.950
Base Radio B receives signal from Port. Radio A on 467.950
Base Radio B
Tx: 462.950
Rx: 467.950
Port. Radio B
Tx: 467.950
Rx: 462.950
Repeater
Base Radio B automatically repeats received signal on 462.950 with very strong signal received over wide area
Conventional Radio System
EM
S
Fir
e
Pol
ice
One frequency = one user group
Trunked Radio System
“A pool of radio channels available to any user when required. Channels are removed from the pool when needed and returned to the pool when not in use”
Defined
Trunked Radio System
• UHF Bands (450, 700, 800, 900 MHz)
• Radio frequencies shared among all users
• Computer Controls Radios and Base Stations
• Each Radio Has Unique Address
• Each radio affiliates with single tower
• “Talkgroups” replace frequencies
• APCO Project 25
Trunked Call Processing
1. Call Request
Push to Talk(PTT)
VoiceChannels
ControlChannel
SystemController
Trunked Call Processing
2. Call Set-Up
VoiceChannels
ControlChannel
SystemController
“AssignsChannel 2”
Trunked Call Processing
3. Transmission
VoiceChannels
ControlChannel
SystemController
Receive
Transmit
Trunked Radio Network
Radio set on EMS Talkgroup
Radio set on Police Talkgroup
Trunked Radio Network
Radio set on EMS Talkgroup
Radio set on Police Talkgroup
Trunked Radio SystemsPros and Cons
Disadvantages• Technically complex• Requires new equipment• Relatively expensive• Fireground limitations
Advantages• Efficient spectrum
use• System redundancy• Interagency
communications• Supports future
growth• Statewide / regional
coverage possible
EMS Operations / MEDCOMCommunications
0 Min 5 Min 10 Min 15 Min 20 Min
Dispatch Communications
Field Ops Communications
MEDCOM Communications
EMS Field Operations Communications
• Purpose– Provide mission critical communications between all
responders and dispatch• Interagency Communications Between
– 1st Responders – BLS – ALS – other Public Safety• Applications
– Downgrade, upgrade, or cancel response– Scene safety / vehicle placement– Provide update on patient status – Determine status of hospitals
EMS Field OperationsCommunications
• Communication modes– Radio– Cellular– Mobile data terminals
• Challenges with multiple agencies– Use of multiple frequencies / bands– Proprietary frequencies
• Unwilling to allow other agencies on their frequencies
MEDCOM Communications
• Field to Hospital (MEDCOM Center)– Provide pre-arrival notification to hospital– Receive direct medical control
• Pre-Arrival Notification– Enough info to find an ED bed
• Direct Medical Control– Authorize certain medical treatments– Physician consultation– Physician “heads up” notification
MEDCOM Communications
• Modes– Radio– Cellular– Web-based notifications
• System should be highly reliable– Offer redundant capabilities
• Need for recording – Maybe required– Essential component of retrospective CQI
Communications and CQI
• EMS communications systems provides excellent means to monitor system performance in real time and retrospectively
• Dispatch and Field Operations
– Monitor response times / overall system function– Provides source for on-scene, concurrent CQI
• MEDCOM – Monitor clinical performance– Provides source for case reviews
Recording Communications
• Multi-channel digital recorder– Allows for electronic file transfers
• Confidentiality of communications– May be subject to FOIA – MEDCOM should be considered confidential
• Use in CQI– Random selection– Sentinel events– Selected cases
Radios and the Medical Director
• Should Medical Directors have Radios?• Why?
– Monitor system operations – Field response
• Allows for “cherry picking”
– MCI Response
• What type of radio(s)?– Portable vs. mobile vs. scanner– May need permission from agency / state
• How do you acquire the equipment?
Primary Rule for the Medical Director and Radios
Listen instead of talk!!!
Disaster and Interoperable Communications
Disaster Communications
• Ineffective communications most constant disaster response deficiency
• Interagency Communications– Between field responders
• Between EMS agencies / Between disciplines
• Essential for effective ICS– Between field and hospitals
• May use Regional Medical Coordination Center
– Between field and Emergency Operations Center
– Between local and state officials
Landline and Cellular Phones
• Cellular phones not reliable in disaster
• Landline systems may be overwhelmed
• GETS / WPS– Priority systems for
wired and wireless phones
• www.gets.ncs.gov
The GETS Calling Card
GETS USER
GETS USER
ORGANIZATION
GETS priority is invoked“call-by-call”
Calling cards are in widespread use and easily understood by the NS/EP User, simplifying GETS usage
GETS is a "ubiquitous" service in the Public Switched Telephone Network…if you can get a DIAL TONE, you can make a GETS call
US GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. If found, return to:NCS (N3), P.O. Box 4502, Arlington VA 22204-4502
WARNING: For Official Use Only by Authorized Personnel.
Web-Based Resource Tracking and Alerting Systems
• Used during non-disasters to monitor hospital status
• Connect all key resources– EMS – Hospitals – EOCs
• Provides Real Time – Casualty care capacity– Bed availability
• Alert hospitals and others of MCIs
Web-Based Resource Tracking and Alerting System
Health Alert Networks (HAN)• CDC Bioterrorism Cooperative
Agreements• Goal: Provide a high-speed network to
rapidly alert public health and emergency responders
• Currently in all 50 states– Coordinated by each state
• Alerting options– E-mail / Pager – Phone – Alerting by jurisdictions and by roles– Variable alerting based on event priority
Amateur Radio in Disasters
• Amateur Radio (HAM) Support in Disasters– Highly knowledgeable volunteer operators– Extensive amateur radio network / infrastructure– Provides redundant emergency communications
• Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)– Sponsored by Local / State Government– Volunteer operators certified, regularly train / exercise
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)– Non-government sponsored amateur radio operators– Organized in clubs– Often affiliated with RACES
911 References
• Federal Communications Commission 911– E-911: http://www.fcc.gov/911/ – VoIP: http://www.voip911.gov/
• National Emergency Number Association– http://nena9-1-1.org/
• Assoc. of Public Safety Comm. Officials– http://www.apcointl.org/
EMD References
• NHTSA EMD Program– http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/ems/Reorder%
20files%20for%20CDRom1.htm
• National Academy of Emergency Dispatch– http://www.emergencydispatch.org/
• APCO Institute– http://www.apcointl.com/institute/
• PowerPhone– http://www.powerphone.com
• New Jersey EMD Guidecards– http://www.state.nj.us/health/ems/guidecard.htm
Disaster and Radio References
• Government Emergency Telecommunications System (GETS)– http://gets.ncs.gov/
• CDC – Health Alert Network– http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/HAN/Index.asp
• Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services– http://www.races.net/
• Free radio frequency / system information– http://www.radioreference.com/