HCO, thanks. This is how I expected it to be.
Manhattan,
First of all, I'm not a FF myself ( wish I was ) so all I know is not inside information.
Since a couple of years in The Netherlands there are 26 districts for safety. In these districts all safety disciplines ( FD, police and ambulance ) work together in one integrated system.
This system called GMS ( Integrated Dispatch System ? hope translation is o.k. ) is used in all districts, combined with communication system C2000. Every district has its own dispatch centre where FD, police and ambulance come to gether.
How it works :
First a dispatcher receives a call of an emergency. This is possible by automatic like sprinkler or detectors, by pushing buttons in companies/other big buildings or by phone : on a number for non urgent calls direct at FD, police or ambulance service. Or via 1 1 2 ( our Dutch 911 number ) for urgent calls.
In GMS automatically callers information is added (number recognition) and the dispatchers fills in additional information.
Now, I?m not very sure but I think, the GMS contacts different dispatchers for each discipline.
So the fire department dispatcher coordinates FD units:
After that, the very modern system GMS makes a proposal for responding units. The dispatcher confirms or changes as he wishes and by pushing one single button all planned units will be send to the coordinates of the incident. ( coordinates like box-numbers FDNY has, but more location specific I think using GPS )
When this happens messages will be sent automatically to pagers* of FF on duty ( GMS knows who is! ) It?s also possible to switch on radio?s of engines waiting for FF?s, to switch on lights of firehouses etc. During this process there?s also information sent to MDT?s ( Mobile Data Terminal) on engines, ladders or other apparatus.
The MDT provides a lot of info like where the incident is, what kind, but also very important information about geographical situations and where for example hydrants are. Even where?s a cloud of gas or information about population. This system also contains a navigation system for this service, including special roads which can be used by FD, not by citizens. In case of a car crash the engine-commander is also able to receive information about a specific car about how airbags can be switched of or how the roof could be cut best. And much more?
When the team of a vehicle is complete the driver accepts the call and at that point he's attached to the emergency and the navigator starts. This system is also used to report vehicle status to dispatch, like arrival at location or back home / available etc.
For voice communication these services use a digital system called C2000 as I mentioned already. For civilians it?s simply not possible to receive it with scanners. Somehow the system is utilised with voice groups so it wont happen that a local police officer in the south west of our country hears a fire-fighter in the upper north. In theory is seems to be possible to connect those 2 when needed.
Each district has it?s own channels for incident communication which are used by all services at that incident. So a FF commander can communicate with police and ambulance.
* Part of this communication system is the paging system P2000. For civilians it?s allowed to have pagers and it?s possible to receive messages. It?s the only thing we have now. But it?s better then nothing. I hope FDNY has no plans for such a system because I enjoy listening online communications a lot.
I hope this is enough or not to much and that my English is good enough for you to understand. Any questions? Just ask.