Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 We do not use headsets on anything. The radio has a hand microphone in a swing arm mounted to the console. The alarm receipt dispatchers use standard telephone handsets. (Pictures available: www.FDNewYork.com/pictures.asp ) While this does contribute to the noise level in the room, there is a distinct advantage to being able to hear everything at once. It allows the dispatcher who is sending out the alarms (the decision dispatcher) to hear a preview of what will be hitting his or her queue in a few seconds. This time is used to check the availability of units in the area or to prepare for a special assignment. For example, the DD hears an address in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn being received. Long before the info is in the CADS he or she can look up at the unit map and see if the units in Flatbush are available or needlessly straggling on an old assignment. Or, the DD hears an alarm for something that calls for a specialized response (collapse, Haz Mat, etc.) This time can be used to refresh the memory as to what to send to these specialized response types. The radio dispatcher can also hear callers apartments or locations before the info reaches their queue for relay to field units. At a working fire, the radio dispatcher hears an alarm receipt dispatcher taking a call from someone in a specific apartment. Again, long before that info hits the CADS, it can be relayed to the field units thus saving precious seconds, which can be the difference between life and death at a fire scene. Obviously, it is physically impossible to talk and listen at the same time. But with 7 dispatchers and a supervisor all in the same environment, you always have another set of eyes and ears nearby that can prompt you with something that might have been missed. Teamwork is the key. Raffa Supv. Dispatcher, FDNY Borough of Brooklyn Fire Capitol of the World www.FDNewYork.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 Danny s Jr wrote: >Had a discussion with my boss a little bit ago about the number of >centers who use headsets vs desk mics (or other means) to transmit. My >question is how many centers use headsets as pretty much a primary >radio device? You can email me off list or whatever. > > >Thanks in advance. >Danny > > Headsets only .. with anywhere from 4-8 dispatchers and calltakers in the same room all talking at once, it's the only thing that would work. Our consoles don't even have microphones on them. Mike -- miked911@... Mike Derryberry Dispatcher II Kern County Sheriff's Department Bakersfield, CA Listen to my department: http://war.str3am.com:7300/ Listen to Kern County Scanning: http://war.str3am.com:7460/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 We use headsets, for phones and radios. we have mic on the desks but they are the last resort use. they are so sentative and they pick up a sneeze accross the room. Tom East Central Illinois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 We are all issued a headset for radio use, but only one person actually uses it. Our phones don't have a headset plug in. Technically we are supposed to use it on radio, but when the headset is plugged in noone except the person plugged in can hear, so you are at a disadvantage elsewhere in the room. So, that is soemwhat of a forgotten rule around here. Every once in a while our director will get on a rampage and force it, but rarely. Mel Melinda M. Dispatcher O'Fallon, MO PD theclarkgirls@... mclark@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 Desk mics here. Our dept is too cheap to provide us with decent headsets, They expect us to share one that came with the consoles they purchased only God knows when. When they insisted we use " the headset " on the main console we refused on the grounds of personal hygiene. The noise level in our room is unbelievably loud especially during busy summer nights. The brass is content to come in and yell at us for everything rather than put any money out to improve our room. They demean our status in the department and make it perfectly clear we are at the bottom of the pecking order. Those of us in the department that love our jobs so much have actually learned to tolerate the hostile working conditions. We look forward to the brass taking days off and pray everyday that they stay off the air and out of our room. Lucille NWPD New Jersey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 That is the only way in Chicago. (Chicago Police 9-1-1) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 Sorry...long night (long week actually)...!!! Headsets are the only way in Chicago is what I meant to say. Between police and fire...call takers and dispatcher...we are probably close to 100 people during peak times. It gets rather loud...I can't imagine what it would be like having all the other 1/2's of the conversations too..!!! (going to sleep now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 In La Vergne, no headsets. We have them, but noone can make them work with the radio and/or the phones. We have tried everything, the Motorola guys worked on them, the Zetron guys worked on them and even a guy from Plantronics tried...all a no go. So, we only use the mics that are attached to the Motorola Command Star radios. Freida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 Headset are required in my agency as well. Although there are exceptions, i.e. eating, equipment malfunction, etc., but otherwise they are required. Clyde Walters Comm Supervisor Pinellas Park Police Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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