Transcript How the System Works

MDT Training
Zone One
August 2013
A Few Rules
1.
Use the wireless system as much as possible
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2.
If the MDT is not appropriate, use verbal
transmissions
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3.
It allows for more verbal communications on the Talk Groups
MDT transmissions can take place simultaneously with verbal
communications or other wireless transmissions
No waiting for the ‘air’ to clear, or that annoying buzz!
First arriving unit short report
Instructions for incoming units
Requesting resources
If you must operate the MDT while driving use
extreme caution
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How the Software Communicates
VisiCAD Server
Packet Cluster Server
MDT in the field
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How the System Works
Civilian
‘Cellular’
tower
Out in the field
Cellular phone
style connection
11Kbs
In and near the
Station*
Hi Speed Wireless
•Bellevue Police Stations and BSC too!
Wireless Connection Icons
Net Motion software
constantly searches for the
strongest wireless signal
High Speed ( In Quarters and near )
Connection
• Green, Yellow, Gray, Red, or White
depending on signal strength
Low Speed ( Out of Quarters ) Connection
‘Green Angel’ – Should always be present
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Screen Use and Care
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Both screen buttons and function ( F ) keys can be
utilized to execute commands
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Do not use sharp or hard object to activate buttons.
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‘Anchor’ your hand to the screen when you use the touch screen
option for stability
Use bare hands or clean gloves when utilizing computer.
If screen or keyboard gets dirty clean with Notebook Screen
Kleen Wipes® only!
No pens, pencils, etc.
A stylus will be available to help with touch screen use
If screen is too bright at night utilize the ‘Dy/Nt’
function.
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There is also a brightness adjustment wheel at the bottom of the
screen
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Night Screen
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Logging onto Windows
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This is done once a week to keep the Laptop
running better
Will also be needed if you have to swap out
Laptops
Procedure:
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Under ‘Username’ type ‘pswfd’
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Under password type ‘Seahawk$’
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‘pswfd’ – short for public safety wireless fire department
This is case sensitive
This is case sensitive
Make sure ‘Cap lock’ and ‘Num lock’ are not on.
Windows will boot up and establish a connection with
the wireless system
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Logging into Packet Cluster Rescue
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Only do this when not on an alarm!
Double click on the Packet Cluster Rescue Icon
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From the Windows desktop
Click on the ‘Logn’ icon on the toolbar
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Double Click
10
Log on button
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Shift Change Procedures
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Beginning of shift log off and log back on to
Packet Cluster Rescue
Do this in the station, not on a call
 No need to exit Windows or reboot the
computer
 This erases history and messages from the prior
shift
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Once a week reboot the computer
Keeps the computer running better
 Allows for updates to Run
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Data
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The Data button is used to upload files
pushed out to MDT units. Files include
virus updates, security and application
patches.
Push Data button while within WLAN
coverage area.
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Information Window
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This icon will bring up a list of all significant
communications for the unit you are in.
This will be cleared at shift change by logging
off and on again.
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This can also be cleared by typing ‘ERASE’ in the
command line
It flashes when a new dispatch status or change
comes in.
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Receiving an Alarm over the MDT
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‘Information’ Icon will flash and you will get an audible tone
from the computer
 You will also get the pager activation and audible ‘beep,
beep, beep’ over the radio with voice dispatch
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Voice dispatch will be replaced by a verbal instructions from
dispatch to check your MDT if incident is low priority or
transmissions are sensitive ( e.g. service responses, nonemergency aid responses, or bomb threats)
The ‘Assignment Information’ window will pop up on your
screen
 The ‘assignment information’ window is formatted
similar to the dispatch printer page
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This window will not pop up in front of other applications
if PCR is in the background
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If you are looking at one of the web sites
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Incident Response Screen ( Top Portion )
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Changes in Status
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The system will only acknowledge status changes
that occur in logical order!
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Examples:
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‘Resp’ to ‘ONSC’
‘ONSC’ to ‘Aval’ or ‘Tran’
‘Tran’ to ‘Dest’
If you attempt ‘ONSC’ to ‘Dest’ CAD will not
change your status
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Our kind dispatchers used to allow us to make this error
when we forgot to go ‘transporting’ and similar mistakes
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Incident Information Updates
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If incident information is updated by
dispatch...
You will hear an audible tone from the MDT
 You will see the ‘Info’ icon flash
 The Assignment Information screen will
automatically update/refresh
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Staged vs. On Scene
- ‘Staged’ is used for EMS calls only
and is recorded by using the F2 key or
icon on this screen.
- Once cleared to proceed to the
scene you will use the ‘ONSC’ button
to indicate final arrival time
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Transporting a Patient
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Press the ‘Trans’ button on the toolbar
Enter the number of patients you are transporting
Select the ‘Destination of Transport’ from the drop
down menu
Select transport ‘Mode’ from drop down menu
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Emergency v. Non-Emergency
Enter ‘Mileage’ only if required by your agency
When at the hospital press the ‘Dest’ button
If you are diverted, you will need to do a verbal
transmission
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Transporting Status Screen
Number of Patients defaults to 1
Tab between fields
Enter to send info to CAD
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Going ‘Aval’
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You will need to select a final disposition code
when going available
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Always select ‘999’ (hit Enter twice)
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Going Available
To change unit status press in the following order:
• Press the ‘Aval’ button on the toolbar, AVL
will track unit, CAD will put you ‘available’
last location if no connection.
at
• Press OutQ for Local Area, CAD will track your
movement via AVL when considering subsequent
calls. If unit is stopped, CAD will place unit at home
station until unit moves again.
• Press the ‘In-Q’ when back in your station.
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‘Local Area’
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If ‘Local Area’ is requested, or OutQ is pressed
while a unit is at another station (training),
since the unit is not moving, should a call be
generated in their home area that unit will be
dispatched, unless a delay is requested.
‘Delay’ (2 min. or 5 min.) will add time to
calculated response times. If E45 is ‘Local Area
with a 2 min. delay’ enroute to Sta. 42 and a call
comes in that is 6 min. from Sta. 42 and E45 is 3
min. from the call, CAD will add 2 min. to E45.
E45 will be dispatched as they are now at 5 min.
and closer than Sta. 42 units.
Just Driving Around
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Just press the ‘OutQ’ button
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If units are moving…
This activates cadence of the AVL
Places other unit ‘out of service’ in cross staffing
situations.
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If you want both units out of quarters and available you will
need to verbally communicate this to Fire Disp 2. (“Break cross
staff”)
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Warning: if E45 is dispatched, then A45 must be placed out of service,
otherwise A45 can be dispatched on a subsequent call.
If you don’t place yourself ‘OutQ’ CAD will not look for your
AVL location and will dispatch you as if you were in your
station.
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Position Update vs Move-up
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Position Update
 Used when locating to another
station for training or detail.
 Tracks you via AVL enroute
(you will be dispatched enroute
if closest unit, unless a delay is
used)
 Don’t need to say you have
arrived at new location.
 If MDT loses connection, you
will still be dispatched from
new location not from your
previous station.
 Difficult for Dispatch to cross
staff Aid Car and
Engine/Ladder.
 Pings closest unit while at
location
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Move-up
 Used when staffing a station
while their units are on another
call.
 Will show ‘Enroute to Post ‘.
 Tracks you via AVL enroute
(you will be dispatched enroute
if closest unit, no delay is used)
 Advised when at location. MDT
shows ‘Local Area’.
 Locution sends print out and
voice to new location.
 Not advised for when multiple
units are at same station.
 Can cross staff with Aid Car
and Engine/Ladder.
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Cannot have 2 cross staffed units
at one station at a time.
Some Inherent AVL Locating
Problems
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Large parking lots
Freeway over/underpasses
Frontage roads
Any distance from a recognized road
Long driveways
 Dirt roads
 Access roads
 ???
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Some Inherent AVL Locating
Anomalies
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If two units are at a station, AVL will dispatch one
over the other depending on which direction the
address originates.
 Example: A45 is parked north of A42 at Sta. 42,
if a call originates north of Sta. 42, A45 may be
dispatched instead of A42 since they are
positioned north of A42.
Out of Service and Delays
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These will be handled by traditional verbal
communications with dispatch
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‘Aval’ icon will not reverse this action
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On Fire Disp 2 or by phone
Also on Fire Disp 2 or by phone
The status screen does not automatically show if
units (yours or others) have been given a delay
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Comments can be entered into the Status Screen by
utilizing F4 key. These comments are removed by
selecting the F5 key. When entered these comments will
be seen by all users.
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F4 and F5 Notations
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Walk-ins and On-views
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These will be handled by a traditional verbal
communications with dispatch
Phone in or Fire Disp 2 for Walk-ins (Still
Alarms)
 Fire Disp 2 for On-views (Incidents you come
across while out driving around).
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Status of Other Units
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Press the ‘Stat’ button on the tool bar
This will display the status of all the units in your
group
The status screen does not automatically show if
units (your or others) have been given a delay
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Comments can be entered into the Status Screen by
utilizing F4 key. These comments are removed by
selecting the F5 key. When entered these comments will
be seen by all users.
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Status Screen
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Responding with Agencies That
Don’t Have MDTs
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Outside of NORCOM Dispatch area –
Use MDT to report to our dispatch center
 Use verbal communications to talk to their
dispatch center
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Sno Pac – Sno Comm
Inside the NORCOM Dispatch area –
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Use MDT and verbal message to report status to
dispatch center
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Mail, Talk, and Announce Functions
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If the ‘Announce’ button is flashing - go ahead
and push it. It is probably the Battalion Chief
with something ‘important’ to say!
Remember: any communications using these
functions are recorded and public record!
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Mail
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Packet Cluster enables you to send mail
messages back and forth between users.
The unit does not need to be logged on to
receive a mail message. When the unit is
logged in you’ll see the following message in
the Information window: ***You have new
mail***
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Announcements
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An Announcement is a way to immediately
send real-time messages to groups of users,
or all users on Packet Cluster
Announcements can be sent with an alarm
Remember, ALL group = All of Zone One!
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Talk
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Talk is like instant messaging between units
Choose unit from ‘Send To’ drop down list
in Talk screen, or double click on Unit ID
line on Status screen
All Talk messages are recorded and
disclosable from the Packet Cluster server
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Emergency Buttons
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There are two Emergency buttons available
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Very Sensitive!
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Upper left hand corner of the keyboard
Lower left hand corner of the display panel
Clyde Hill incident
When activated a window opens on all of the dispatch
terminals
Everything in dispatch stops until Firefighter/Police
Officer safety is assured and system is reset
These buttons are independent of the radio emergency
buttons
All other units will receive the emergency message through
the ‘Announce’ function
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Let the dispatcher handle these situations!
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What Do We Do When It All Blows Up?
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In The Field:
• Fall back to ‘Old Fashion’ verbal
communications
• Notify Dispatch
•Pre-fire books will still be onboard
• Attempt to fix problem after the emergency
has been mitigated
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When Back In Quarters
Norcom IT support is 425-577-5690. This is staffed
by NORCOM IT personnel during the day and at
night and weekends a rotating on call Norcom IT
staff will get the 425-577-5690 number forwarded to
their cell phone. So call that number 24/7 with any
technical problem of an urgent nature. If it is not
urgent, have your supervisor submit at NOTIS ticket
via notis.norcom.org and a NORCOM IT staff will
get back to you.
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Let Us Hear Your Comments
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We want this to be a smooth transition
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Submit comments through your
department’s application specialist
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Questions After Training
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Contact your on duty Guru
They can answer most of your questions
 They will refer you to the appropriate resource if
they cannot answer your question
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NORCOM IT is becoming well versed in our
equipment and software
Do not call dispatch with training
questions!!
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Call NORCOM IT
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Pre-fires and Web Sites
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The MDT has access to Pre-fire documents and
select Web Sites
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Pre-fires include many surrounding agencies
Web sites include:
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VisiNet Browser
Webstaff (Bellevue only)
These functions run outside of PCR
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If you hear a tone while you viewing another application, check
back to PCR for critical information – i.e. dispatches!
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Pre-fires
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These are .pdf files that reside on the MDT
hard drive
Updated when in quarters
Each agency’s are a little different
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Access is the same
Click on the ‘PreF’ icon to gain access
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Pre-fire ( Cont. )
Touch the tab or the shoulder patch of
the agency you are interested in
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Bellevue’s Pre-fire Main Page
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Kirkland’s Pre-fire Main Page
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Web Sites
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Touch the ‘WEB’ icon
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Select the web site you want
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Remember: Your
connection speed is
only 11kbs
- 1/5th of a dial up modem
- be patient
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