1060.10.00 Apparatus Mount Vehicle Repeater.pdf

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. # 1060.10.00 Subject: Apparatus Mounted Vehicle Repeater Adopted: March 1, 2018 Effective Date: April 1, 2018 Last Revised Date: November 2023 Revision Number: 2 Due for Revision Date: Novem...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. # 1060.10.00 Subject: Apparatus Mounted Vehicle Repeater Adopted: March 1, 2018 Effective Date: April 1, 2018 Last Revised Date: November 2023 Revision Number: 2 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Contents 1060.10.01 Purpose 1060.10.02 Definitions 1060.10.03 Scope 1060.10.04 Procedures 1060.10.05 FAQ’s C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\fb2d81bc-4641-4017-920b-5abd2ab09501.docx Page 1 of 4 1060.10.01 Purpose The purpose of this guideline is to provide a standardized procedural action plan for use of the apparatus mounted vehicle repeater system. 1060.10.02       Definitions DVR–Digital Vehicle Repeater DVR Button- Switch used to activate VR-A – is always connected to Tac 1-4 VR-B – is always connected to Tac 2-5 VR-C – is always connected to Tac 3-6 VR-D – is always connected to whatever Channel the mobile radio (truck radio) is tuned to, this system only works on Zone 1. 1060.10.03 Scope These procedures are intended as a guideline to demonstrate how and when to use the Digital Vehicle Repeater system that are installed on apparatus along with the Portable radios assigned to every on duty suppression personnel at the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District. 1060.10.04 Procedures Portables can now reliably operate inside buildings if they are switched to channels VR-A, VRB, VR-C or VR-D. Communications on these channels will be repeated at higher power on the county channel selected by the truck radio. Vehicle Repeaters shall remain off when in station or on the road. The first arriving unit shall activate their VR upon arrival at all incidents. This will amplify portable communications on VR-A, VR-B, VR-C or VR-D. Only one VR is needed for each Tac channel used. All other trucks on-scene should keep their VR off. Upon dispatch Switch truck radio to assigned TAC channel. Upon Arrival First arriving unit shall activate their VR 1. First arriving unit press DVR button once to turn on repeater. Other units keep VR off. Portables on a VR channel will now be amplified onto the selected truck radio channel. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\fb2d81bc-4641-4017-920b-5abd2ab09501.docx Page 2 of 4 2. Include VR Channel in your size-up. For example: “Truck 25 on-scene of a multi-story residential dwelling, nothing showing from the outside. Truck 25 will be command and accountability, operating on Tac 4 VR-Alpha.” “Truck 25 on-scene of a multi-story residential dwelling, nothing showing from the outside. Truck 25 will be command and accountability, operating on Tac 5 VR-Bravo.” “Truck 25 on-scene of a multi-story residential dwelling, nothing showing from the outside. Truck 25 will be command and accountability, operating on Tac 6 VR-Charlie.” 3. On-scene firefighters must switch their portables to one of the following VR-A (amplifies Tac 1-4) VR-B (amplifies Tac 2-5) VR-C (amplifies Tac 3-6) VR-D (amplifies any Zone 1 channel selected on the truck radio) 4. When Clearing the Scene, press the DVR button once to turn off the repeater. Example For example, if TAC 4 is assigned, select it on the truck radio. The radio will then display: VR OFF VR A 1-4 TAC-04 The above display means you have selected TAC 4. “VR OFF” means vehicle repeater is OFF. “VR A” means that if you turn the VR on, it will broadcast on portable channel “VR-A.” If you’re the first arriving unit, press the DVR button once to turn on the repeater. The radio will then display: VR SYS VR A 1-4 TAC-04 “VR SYS” means the repeater is ON. Portables on the VR-A channel will now transmit through the truck radio on TAC 4 countywide. Tac 1-4 is always connected to VR-A on portables when DVR button is pushed Tac 2-5 is always connected to VR-B on portables when DVR button is pushed Tac 3-6 is always connected to VR-C on portables when DVR button is pushed Any other channel selected on the truck radio is connected to VR-D when DVR button is pushed. For example, if the truck radio remains on Dispatch 3 for a medical and the VR is turned on, portables on VR-D will be connected to DISP-3 thru the vehicle repeater. VR OFF VR D DISP-3 The above display means that the truck radio is on Dispatch 3 and the vehicle repeater is OFF. If the repeater is turned on by pressing the DVR button, DISP-3 will be connected to portable channel VR-D and the display will look like this: VR SYS VR D DISP-3 C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\fb2d81bc-4641-4017-920b-5abd2ab09501.docx Page 3 of 4 1060.10.05 FAQ’s What if I don’t have vehicle repeater channels on my portable – or don’t switch to a vehicle repeater channel? If you select the assigned county TAC Channel directly on your portable (just as you’ve always done), you can still communicate with everyone on the scene. You just won’t be amplified by the scene’s Vehicle Repeater on VR-A, VR-B, VR-C or VR-D. Can I leave my truck’s Vehicle Repeater on all the time? That way I won’t have to remember to turn it on and off. VR should only be used while stationary – for two reasons: 1. Normally, only one VR should be turned ON at a scene. 2. Riding around with your VR on can interfere with other units. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\fb2d81bc-4641-4017-920b-5abd2ab09501.docx Page 4 of 4