Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 We just recently got a tv..we are allowed to watch movies w/no sound on and only during slow times..usually the dead time form 3am -7am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 We have one that has the built in VCR. No written policy but verbal that during mon-fri " normal " business hours, only weather channel, news broadcasts or LETN (law enforcement training network) can be watched. But the first person to abuse it, regardless of day/time will prompt a strict written policy.. Always punish all, not the offender! Kathy << Subj: 911:: SURVEY Date: 3/31/00 8:24:02 PM MST From: ect254@... Reply-to: 911consoleonelist To: 911consoleonelist Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you can watch and when. Thanks a >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 The center I am in now has TVs in the Emergency Operations Center. This room is next to our dispatch center so we usually send someone into the room to catch scores of games, or updates on important news shows. We do not have a TV in the actual Comm center. But...... The center I am going to (starting April 11) has a TV and VCR in the comm center. They are a much smaller agency and have 2 or 3 dispatchers working at one time. I'm sure the same rules apply that many of you have spoken about regarding volume because I never hear the TV on when I have to call that agency from my current one to get or give info. Janelle Pima County Sheriff Dept Tucson Az (4 more days and counting until I will be...) Janelle Oro Valley PD Oro Valley, Az Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 Same here in Minnesota. The TV is equipped to mute out when the radio is keyed up. Still working on a fix for the phone. The tv was purchased by the dispatchers. Wm_J MN0110000 > >Reply-To: 911consoleonelist >To: " '911consoleonelist' " <911consoleonelist> >Subject: RE: 911:: SURVEY >Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 22:09:02 -0600 > >We have a TV with basic cable and a VCR. The closest thing we have to a >policy is one that governs electronic equipment and their transmission over >phones or radio equipment. > >It is up to each Communications Shift Supv. what can or cannot be watched >on >their shift. So far everyone has used common sense in their choice of >viewing programs. > > Long >McKinney Police/Fire/EMS >McKinney, Texas >klong@... > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 One add'l story relating to background noise..... Saturday night COPS was showing a pursuit and the MUTE function failed, it was only a matter of seconds before the admin lines lit up and wondered where and what the heck was going on....someone caught the East coast (Boston) ofcr accent and really wondered who was working the road that night. Wm_J > >My agency does not have a TV in the comm center, but a >neighboring agency does, and we always know what >they're watching because you can often hear the theme >song to shows like " Little House on the Prairie " or > " MASH " in the background when dispatch transmits. I >assume that their brass knows what they are watching >too, but I don't know if there is any policy regarding >it. > >Jen Grieshaber > > > << Subj: 911:: SURVEY > > Date: 3/31/00 8:24:02 PM MST > > From: ect254@... > > Reply-to: 911consoleonelist > > To: 911consoleonelist > > > > Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you > > have a policy on what you > > can watch and when. > > >__________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 OH!!! This reminds me of a great story to share you all of you (speaking of COPS tv show...) I answered a 911 call from a teenaged male who said there was someone breaking into the trailer next door to him. We started over Deputies while I kept him on the phone, getting answers to the many questions I had for him. When I got to the part about the description of the suspect, the youth gave me a pretty good description of a male (details arent necessary for story). Then, all of a sudden the caller says that the suspect was exiting the trailer,.. then he said there were 2 female officers coming over a fence into the yard (we had a training unit going, both were female deputies) , then the caller said that the females officers had the suspect. Now, while the caller was giving me updates, I was entering such updates into CAD and the dispatcher was repeating them over the radio. When the dispatcher got to the part about the 2 females deputies having the suspect, our training unit said it wasnt them, they were still a few blocks away. No one else answered up. This area of town bordered Tucson PD jurisdiction so we all thought, possibly TPD was on scene. ok- getting to the end now.... After our deputies DID go on scene, one of them called in to tell us the story. (I like when they do this, I hate not knowing how some of the calls turn out!) The deputy was laughing very hard but the story came out... the young caller was giving me a blow by blow account of the tv show he was watching.... of course COPS... and when he gave the suspects description, darned if it wasnt an exact image of himself! This was one 15 yr old who got into alot of trouble for false reporting! Dad wasnt too happy when he got called home from work either! Janelle Pima County Sheriff Dept Tucson Az (4 more days and counting until I will be...) Janelle Oro Valley PD Oro Valley, Az In a message dated 3/31/00 11:44:27 PM US Mountain Standard Time, ncass911@... writes: << One add'l story relating to background noise..... Saturday night COPS was showing a pursuit and the MUTE function failed, it was only a matter of seconds before the admin lines lit up and wondered where and what the heck was going on....someone caught the East coast (Boston) ofcr accent and really wondered who was working the road that night. Wm_J >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 We don't have one installed (it has been discussed from time to time). We can bring one in from time to time for special events (Super Bowl, for example). It's also brought in so we can watch the Weather Channel when hurricanes or snow is approaching. EJ From: EJ Stinneford City of Fayetteville Communications estinneford@... (work) estinneford@... (not @ work) [These are my opinions, not my employer's!] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 At 10:21 PM 03/31/2000 EST, a wrote: >Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you >can watch and when. Hi, My fire department dispatch office has a color television, which the members have paid for). We also have a VCR which the department paid for, which is used for training. We are allowed to use the television for news, weather, and special events anytime during business hours and at will after business hours. The management of the comm center recognizes that televisions can be used to update on events going on in our community and in adjacent communities that may affect our operations. It also recognizes that any method of keeping our folks interested and alert during down time is preferable, and as such, encourages use of the television. The exceptions to the above permission are as follows: 1) if there are tours or officials in the office - the tv and vcr are off; 2) there must not be ANY sounds of tv going over the radio, over the telephone, or recorded on tape during telephone calls at any time - this means that the remote control gets a workout; 3) if any important sporting event is being watched, NO mention of scores and outcomes are permitted over the radio to field units not as lucky as to be in and watching. Aside from this, we have developed a few in-office policies of our own, in order to protect this priviledge and to police ourselves: 1) we usually turn the tv and vcr off completely when engaged in a significant incident; 2) we have a code of conduct of our own for what is watched (no porn, or otherwise objectionable programs may be watched); 3) all members of the office must pay their fair share towards the cable funding. This has worked for us. There have been no problems in the more than six years that we have had tv in the comm center. We will be moving to a new fire-police-ems dispatch office in the near future, and we expect to have more than one tv in our new center (probably department paid for). We will have them hung from the ceiling, equipped for closed captioning, and will enable them to be listened to via our headsets, and/or via remote speakers at each work station. Hope this helps. Bob Battis Beverly Fire Dept Beverly MA 01915 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 We have a TV with basic cable and a VCR. The closest thing we have to a policy is one that governs electronic equipment and their transmission over phones or radio equipment. It is up to each Communications Shift Supv. what can or cannot be watched on their shift. So far everyone has used common sense in their choice of viewing programs. Long McKinney Police/Fire/EMS McKinney, Texas klong@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 My agency does not have a TV in the comm center, but a neighboring agency does, and we always know what they're watching because you can often hear the theme song to shows like " Little House on the Prairie " or " MASH " in the background when dispatch transmits. I assume that their brass knows what they are watching too, but I don't know if there is any policy regarding it. Jen Grieshaber > << Subj: 911:: SURVEY > Date: 3/31/00 8:24:02 PM MST > From: ect254@... > Reply-to: 911consoleonelist > To: 911consoleonelist > > Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you > have a policy on what you > can watch and when. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2000 Report Share Posted March 31, 2000 At 10:21 PM 03/31/2000 -0500, a asked: >Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you >can watch and when. I went back through my archives of posts to this list and located something so I didn't have to write it all out again. Here goes: At 01:39 PM 4/30/99 -0400, my good friend Behr wrote: > Looking for any Comm Center that allows a TV in their Comm Center. >Trying to convince Admin that one is needed in dispatch during major >incidents in our area. If you have any policies governing the use of >a TV, please let me know so that I may forward in my proposal to Admin. >Thanks <raising hand and waving it wildly> We do, we do, Rich!! First, our TV is a 22-inch (yah, 22, not 23 or 25 or 27.. but that EVEN number 22) stereo model, installed on a wall bracket up high in one corner of the room so the call-takers can see it if they look up over their CAD terminals but the dispatchers at the radio have to turn around, away from their consoles, to watch it. (Deliberate placement.) When I wrote the purchase requisition, I was instructed to use a fairly low - in my opinion - amount for bid consideration and the product would NOT include a built-in VCR. It was JUST for a TV set. Use of the TV is restricted to " after business hours " and on weekends, UNLESS there is a major incident working (in progress) that either involves our department (anywhere in the State), allied agencies within our four-county dispatch jurisdiction, or is of other local public safety concern (such as oh, say.... a dam break, an earthquake, flooding evacuations, stuff that the media gets to with cameras about which we'll most certainly have calls from folks expecting us to know what's going on). Other major NEWS of interest can be watched during the " restricted " time period if it is LIVE and of major importance (sports events don't count); for example, we DID watch Littleton, CO coverage before 1700 hours on the 20th, as it was being televised...... Other (written) rules regarding the TV: No bickering. If ANYONE on duty in the Comm Center objects to the program, the TV set is turned off. The volume of the program MUST NOT INTERFERE with anyone's ability to process calls or handle radio traffic and it must not be audible over the radio to units in the field. We'd had the TV set for several months and the dispatchers were pretty happy with it, except that we don't have cable and it only pulls in one channel fairly well and two other fuzzy ones. <shrugging> Better'n nuthin', right? Well, an anonymous benefactor put a brand new stereo VCR - still in the box - in the executive lieutenant's office on December 23rd, after hours, with a note attached: " For the Comm Center. " December 24th was the last business day, and our LT brought it out to us as the business office was closing and before he left for the day. He made it QUITE clear that he was not the benefactor. ( " It wasn't me - trust me; I'm not even sure this is a great idea, but prove me wrong and don't abuse the privilege. " He fixed ME with a stare as he said this... I nodded with great alacrity and solemn acknowledgment.) The techie-est dispatcher hooked it up as soon as the door closed behind the LT...... and everyone studied the handwritten note for clues as to the benefactor's identity, without success. Nobody's copped to it, either - - trust me, the dispatchers have asked everyone! (Consensus: our captain was promoting to assistant division chief and leaving the area, effective 12/31/98, so it might have been a farewell gift from him.) The incoming captain didn't have a thing to do with it... but he WOULD have, had he been there - he's very very very supportive of Dispatch! So now we have a VCR and even though the graveyard shift hasn't even been able to watch a whole tape all the way through, uninterrupted, the dispatchers are very happy! (So, they watch tapes over and over, catching parts they missed when they had to mute the sound and turn away from the TV.. no biggie. That's how recreational reading and even normal conversations are handled in Comm Centers, right???) We haven't had a single problem in enforcing the rules, either. They really DON'T watch it all that much, honestly. When they do, they're all very considerate of their partners and somebody will dive for the remote to mute or turn off the TV as soon as ANYTHING of an urgent nature occurs that needs full attention. I know your area, Rich - there are plenty of incidents that get live televised coverage (doesn't happen much around here) and it would be beneficial for y'all to be able to see the pursuit de jour - or whatever else the public is seeing, live, on the news. ----------------------------- So, there ya have it. Recycled posts! Happy to be here, proud to serve. Olmstead Communications Supervisor ~on the Central California coastline~ " Not presumed to be an official statement of my employing agency. " Home E-mail: mailto:gryeyes@... http://www.gryeyes.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 we have one hooked to cable and it is only on and off during day shift and depending on who works it is on from 7pm to 730am i work mids and have it on all night (I think mostly for the noise, we only have one Dispatcher on at a time). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 response to t.v.'s in center yes we have a t.v in the center that is placed well enough for the staff of 7 min 9 max to see. we do not have any rules on what we can watch. we do take truns in bringing in movies from home, trying to make it a theme night or day. example one day all john claude van dam, or lethel wepon sries, then some times the theme could be all comedy. the only rules we have are the volume, we have to ensure the job is the radios and phones remain top priority and that the volume is not too loud that it can be heard over the radios or phones. by setting theme shifts it seems to be a positive set in building a bond with co workers and also in releaving some stress. especiall on a comedy theme. a good belly laugh is good medicine. pattie cherokee co , ga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 Well at the fire department, we are not allowed to have the tv on from 8-5 Monday-Friday. That's mainly because we are the front line greeters for the FD. We should not have that much access to the public IMHO. After that time we can watch but it has to be muted during working incidents and anytime we talk on the radio. Obviouse exceptions to the M-F rule are to check the weather channel during and to check upcoming weather events, special happennings like that. At the sheriff's offce, we can watch anytime and really have no policy. I personally mute it during incidents and talking on the radio. Just my little opinion Charlottesville, VA Fire Dept. Fluvanna County Sheriff's Office Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 > Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a > policy on what you can watch and when. > > Thanks a In Falls Church, we do have a TV/VCR combo that is 'on' most of the time but muted during the day or anytime the radio or phones are in use. No written policy but the Captain's has made it clear that any abuse and it's gone. 50's not old if you're a... Tree R J 'Tree' Greenwood treeg@... or tree.greenwood@... doctree@... on 911 Console Falls Church City & Fauquier County VA ___________________________________________________________________ Get smart - get your FREE email at http://email.looksmart.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 We use to have TV and VCR in our old comm center, when we moved into our new center they were not installed, we are not allowed any TV or radio in our comm center. This is an issue we are still not happy with. As far as I know we never abused it in the old room, which was much smaller. We are a small agency typically only 2 dispatchers on at a time. We have found that we miss alot of important on going incidents from surrounding jurisdicitions by not having a tv. Our comm center manager told us she did of survey of metro area centers and came up with the answer that none of them had tv in their comm centers, now after reading all the posts I wonder who she asked, it seems most of you have tv, we even have agreed to manditory policy when it comes to when we can watch.....they still wont budge on the issue...sure makes for a long winters night when working 11p to 7a with no tv.....Also is hard to keep up with current events, like weather, our weather can change dramaticly in a short time span, always have citizens call and ask about severe weather conditions...which I reply..watch your tv for current developments (then call me with and update) If only our lines were not recorded!!!! TV can be a great tool and if used by responsible adults If only we could convince our manager that we REALLY are responsible adults!!!! Thanks for listening!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 While we are waiting for our new jail to be built we are housed in the old 4H, extension office. We had a bunch of TV's from the old jail and we have them everywhere! We have TV and VCR in our little dispatch office. When I am working I have one hand on the mute button on the remote. We usually have it turned down real low. No problems with anyone abusing it or fighting over what to watch. I'm pretty easy going, whatever the other dispatcher wants to watch is fine with me. They are pretty predictable, one likes QVC, one wants to watch Emergency! COPS ect. We have been told we will have TV in the new communications center, will have to wait and see. BTW- had Norton Antivirus installed, had 8 infected files, spent the last 3 days getting everything back together. MANY THANKS to everyone who emailed me to advise me that I was still infected with happy99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 In a message dated 03/31/2000 10:44:28 PM Eastern Standard Time, L@... writes: << Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you > can watch and when. > > Thanks a > >> a...We have a TV in our center but no policy written for it. We are allowed to have it on any time as long as it does not disrupt anyone working. If one dispatcher complains about it being to loud then the volume goes off...no questions asked. The situation on day shift is monitored closely by me...since I am the supervisor...And I have the final say on it...unless my boss says otherwise < ducking for cover now> !!!! Kristy Rohm Supervisor, Clayton Co 911 boro, Ga. NitePrey2@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 we have a tv in our com center.....the only time it is restricted is when we have a trainee in the room. we have cable and free HBO. management doesn't usually complain as long as everyone is getting their work done. tari braidwood pd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 We have a TV....of sorts. It is mounted to the ceiling and all we can view is LETN. Whoopee! Lyn magik@... 911:: SURVEY > Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you > can watch and when. > > Thanks a > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 We have a TV available for use in the comm center that is kept in a spare room with enuf cable to reach a spot where everyone can see it. It's not for fun or Three Stooges reruns, but usually for regional highlight type stuff. The last time it was on was for the implosion of the Kingdome in Seattle. It's really hit and miss depending on which supervisor is working. On weekends we sometimes watch the Seattle Seahawks loose, and sometimes QVC. But, once again, this is after regular business hours (we aren't open to the public, anyway) and depends on the supervisor. I guess the short of it is, we don't have any special policy, but we have a TV...:-) There is one in the break room on 24hrs and whoever gets there first picks the channel. Bob - Dispatcher Law Enforcement Support Agency Tacoma WA " Seconds Save Lives, Dispatchers Save Seconds " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 I forgot, the TV cable connection is in the building and one time an ingenious person while the supervisor was out, unplugged the cable in the back room and plugged it into a vcr w/an xrated tape in it. There was a phone in the same room, so when the supv turned on the tv (which was luckily just facing him) he got xrated stuff. When his chin dropped and he ran to get someone to check what was on, one person in the comm center called the vcr switcher in the back room who quickly changed it back. We did this switch back and forth several times during the night, laughed our lower rear portions off, and finally told him what happened several months later.... Bob - Dispatcher Law Enforcement Support Agency Tacoma WA " Seconds Save Lives, Dispatchers Save Seconds " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2000 Report Share Posted April 1, 2000 We have a TV and cable and a VCR. No restrictions as long as we use some common sense and keep the volume low. And as long as we keep our minds on our job. It's nice actually, especially on midnights and Weekends when things are very slow. Sherry Washburn On Fri, 31 Mar 2000 22:21:32 EST, 911consoleonelist wrote: > Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you > can watch and when. > > Thanks a _______________________________________________________ Get 100% FREE Internet Access powered by Excite Visit http://freelane.excite.com/freeisp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2000 Report Share Posted April 3, 2000 We have a TV in our break room that we just put on a cart last week. Can't watch it during regular work hours and we don't have any FORMAL policy on watching TV during the evening or night hours. Can't get much anyways on the antenna. Just as long as they do their work and turn it down when they get calls.... I don't see any difference between that and a good book. annette hallmark ahallmark@... <<snip>> Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you can watch and when. Thanks a <<snip>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2000 Report Share Posted April 3, 2000 In a message dated 4/3/00 8:45:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time, rhondarowan@... writes: << Who has TV'S in there com center and if so do you have a policy on what you can watch and when. Thanks a <<snip>> >> We have a TV in our break room to view while eating lunch or on break..we also have been graciously allowed per our Commander to crochet/needle point/read while on call taking positions. We are far too busy on dispatch consoles to do any of those. But our Commander, a very intelligent and morale boosting Commander by the way, understood the need to keep alert and active during the " down " times. , Good Ole Ohio too !! Go Bucks !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.