An update to this page is way overdue. It was a well intended project but I just can’t seem to find the time to keep up with things. Anyway:
As of January 2008 we added a paging base to the Millcreek Tower Site. We are now simulcasting paging from nine different sites. Drive testing, after the base was live, showed some pretty impressive coverage just from that site alone. We spent many hours with test pages and were very impressed with the coverage it added. There are additional changes planned for the paging system in the near future including some antenna changes that should make things even better. If you can identify a location that causes a consistent problem please contact me with that information.
About two weeks ago we finalized an agreement with the Annville Cleona School District to co-locate on their property at the High School. We will be moving forward to replace their current radio tower which is not strong enough for our microwave and other antenna needs. We are hoping to complete that upgrade by the end of summer 2008. We will be meeting with them shortly to iron out the details and begin the planning stage. The current plan is for EMA to subcontract the tower and shelter to save some costs and expedite the process.
On the morning of May 8, 2008 we met with M/A-COM (now Tyco Electronics) for a final customer review of both the Annville and the Millcreek sites. A short presentation was also provided to the commissioners.
We have a meeting planned with Comcast representatives on May 14, 2008 to finalize plans and begin the installation of radio equipment at that site.
As of this time (May 8, 2008) most radios have been distributed and are in the hands of fire companies. Most have had a couple of weeks to experiment and the initial feedback is positive. Fire companies are encouraged to use the radios during non emergencies and test coverage and in-building issues within their districts. Again we realize that there will be coverage limitations in certain areas pending the additional tower installations. Feedback positive or negative is encouraged.
Tonight was the beginning of several meetings with Fire Company Sector line officers to discuss the need for additional radio training and CAD issues. During the month of May my office will meet with all the sectors and attempt to get feedback on the current system.
As many are aware our first go live with Computer Aided Dispatching the first of the year was very problematic. We worked diligently for several weeks to get out the bugs and customize the CAD to our needs. New World (CAD Company) worked very closely with us in doing this. We have been live now again for several weeks and so far most of the problems discovered have been minor. We are still working with New World to really customize their product to the needs of our community. Many of the problems we now are dealing with are associated with accurate mapping of the county.
Daniel Kauffman