Communications Systems and Equipment

Information about the technology and communication equipment etc. will live here.

At present there are a number of communications systems in use. The functionality of each will be described and how it is positioned within the brigade and the CFA generally.

Pager System

The basic callout system (in our region and some others) uses alphanumeric pagers on the Hutchison network.

A turnout pager message example is below:- pager image

ALERT CRAN3
INCIC1 GASDECANTING
REQUIRED 5 MAWSON
CT CRANBOURNE NORTH
M 129 G9 F000000000
17:59   12/05/00

The above message is an actual callout which was attended by the Officer brigade in their role as specialist LPG unit. I shall explain the above message line by line.

ALERT

as distinct from administrative messages which are also sent to the pager from time to time.

CRAN3

Each brigade response area is broken up into sub areas. This is Cranbourne's sub area 3.

INCIC1

INCI means incident, there are other abbreviations as well e.g STRUC - structure etc. I will make up a list of these codes as I have time. C1 means Code 1 response required i.e. lights and sirens. C3 means Code 3 response i.e. normal traffic conditions.

GASDECANTING
REQUIRED

Very brief description of job.

  
5 MAWSON
CT CRANBOURNE NORTH

Address of job.

M 129 G9 F000000000

M = Melways, 129 = map number, G9 = grid reference. The "F" number is a CFA allocated job number.

17:59   12/05/00

Time and date of pager message (from pager internal clock & calendar). Portable radio

Radio Systems

Within the CFA we use Motorola radios. Mobile (MCS2000) in the cabins of appliances and portables (MTS2000) for on the job.

I will endeavour to expand this information as time permits.

New EAS system.

Victoria wide CFA paging system.

Information coming soon.