https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yoZuC2llLhbyNTSb6LxQ0cr1Qj4d0ECoXp6LqhnsGnU/edit?usp=sharing - this is the new version of the spreadsheet using the New GoogleSheets system - with nearly unlimited spreadsheet size - implemented Feb 19 2014
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoX8tpb0l73sdF9NZzVUVWQtWjlDeVByUjljRVhQYWc#gid=0 - this is the old version of the Spreadsheet - I stopped updating this version of the Spreadsheet on Feb 19 2014 - all existing info was moved to the new version of the spreadsheet
This spreadsheet has been developed by first listing all counties, and all municipalities (mostly cities and towns - with a few villages and boroughs thrown in). Then radio channels were added for police, fire, ambulance, public works, etc (based on info from the FCC website, and various Internet sources). Lastly; further details are added about separate fire districts, and info is added about regional dispatch centers, and regional radio systems.
Since most communities in New England operate their own police, fire, and ambulance services; listings will typically look like this -
County - Town or City - Agency - Frequency - B/M info - PL info
For example - Suffolk County - Boston - FD Channel 1 - 483.1625 R DPL XXX
It is very straightforward usually.
One major aim of this spreadsheet is to indicate all of the radio channels that might be involved in any local incident. Another major aim is to show the scope of regional dispatch systems in New England.
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Definitions of abbreviations
T - trunked
TRS - trunked radio system
PL - private line (aka CTCSS)
DPL - digital private line
NAC - network access code (PL for a P25 system)
BM - base and mobiles
S - simplex (same as BM essentially)
HT - portable radio - Handie Talkie
FB2 - repeater (usually located on a hilltop or tall antenna tower)
MO3 - repeater mounted on a mobile vehicle
link - a radio channel that typically links a dispatch office to a hill top radio site, or vice versa
DB - dispatched by
main - main radio channel or primary radio channel - usually includes paging, dispatch, response, and possibly onscene communications
tac - tactical radio channel - usually a short range radio channel used at an incident scene - usually not monitored by a dispatcher
local - local radio channel - signifies that an agency is usually dispatched on a countywide or regional channel - but has the option to use a discrete channel dedicated to their agency or town - the local channel typically does not cover a large area
shared - a radio channel upon which you are likely to hear more than one agency operating - or a channel that is used in more than one county
PD - police department
FD - fire department
DPW - department of public works
Amb - ambulance service
EMS - emergency medical service
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There a couple of typical radio schemes used by FDs in New England.
1. All operations are on the local FD main channel - possibly with a local firescene channel used for major incidents. Usually city FDs operate this way. Vermont FDs also.
2. Dispatch is done on a countywide channel. Ops will shift to a local channel when the radio base station at the local fire station is staffed. This procedure is typically used by smaller FDs. You could describe this as the "on call dispatcher scheme". I think this scheme is most common in Maine.
3. Dispatch is done on a regional channel. Firescene operations are done on regional FG channels. I think this scheme is most common in New Hampshire and Connecticut.
Police department typically use a simple radio scheme. Channel 1 is the main channel. Channel 2 might be a short range chat or tac channel. Thats about it.
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BLATHER FOLLOWS - please ignore
I am trying to set up this spreadsheet so it will be easy to see all the radio channels that every FD uses. Yet I dont want to list some channels repeatedly. If every FD used just 1 or 2 channels, then the listing would be simple. But the reality is that many channels are shared, and there are many regional dispatch centers.
I guess the simplest procedure is to list each channel as either "main" or "local" - and to indicate the regional dispatch center if necessary.
Rule # 1 - assume that each FD is dispatched by a countywide dispatch center. Or a regional dispatch center.
Rule # 2 - assume that each FD has their own "main" channel, or is operating on a countywide or regional radio system
Rule # 3 - there might be 1 or 2 FDs that dont have any radios - or use CBs, maritime, or business band radios - Sebois Pltn ME - Gosnold MA - etc