CCG Newsletter August 2015 Volume 1, Number 1 In This Issue Message from the CCG Coordinator CCG Updates Training Opportunities 3 Day C-COM Training Platform of the Quarter Contact Us http://www.dps.com CCG@DPS.Texas.Gov (512) 424-2755 Message from the CCG Coordinator This is the first CCG e-mail newsletter. Each newsletter will showcase a local, regional, state, federal or private sector platform that is available to respond to an incident, the location, capabilities and some of the personnel who maintain and operate the platform will be featured. New technologies and changes will be included as they occur. The newsletter is intended to keep CCG members informed about what is happening and to show the direction the CCG is heading. CCG Updates It may appear that the CCG has been dormant over the past several years, but in reality, the group has been fairly busy through the last year, especially during the recent May and June adverse weather events. The CCG has been actively working with TDEM to finalize approval of the Platform Typing document, which has been ongoing for some time. Real movement has been seen lately to get this completed. Grant funding is being sought to conduct several (2 to 4) Regional Communication exercises in 2016. Training Opportunities Communications Unit Leader (COML) San Angelo September 21 23 https://www.preparingtexas.org/deliverydetails.aspx?classid=a7ff2ab2-49ff-4bc9-90e3-4000c151caed Del Rio December 8 10 https://www.preparingtexas.org/deliverydetails.aspx?classid=1caec833-dd1a-481a-8d9c- 1449e4270f8d
Communications Technician (COMT) Houston October 12-16 https://www.preparingtexas.org/viewcourse.aspx?courseid=5dfaf3c0-2e14-4537-8cba- 62fd93643b05 Please relay these training opportunities to any personnel that may be interested in attending. 3-Day C-COM Training Twenty-one students attended a C-Com satellite training class in Burleson, TX, June 16-18. Paul Seguin, Senior Technical Advisor, C-Com Satellite Systems Inc., guided the class in learning preventive maintenance and hardware failure diagnosis. The 3-day class covered hardware, software and troubleshooting of four different models of C-COM satellites. The hospitality extended by the City of Burleson Fire Department was greatly appreciated. They provided the classroom and refreshments at no charge.
Platform of the Month - Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin, TX Mobile Communications Command Program (MCCP) Trailers The DPS Public Safety Communications Service operates a fleet of mobile communications assets which includes a 55 Mobile Command/Communications Trailer (Alamo); a 53 Mobile Command Communications Trailer (Texas Command); a 45 Mobile Command/Communications Trailer (San Jacinto); two 40 Mobile Communications Trailers (Lone Star/Tejas); a 30 Mobile Communications Trailer (Command One); an Emergency Communications Van (ECV) and a cache of communications support equipment... Response Area: State of Texas Population: 27,695,284 (2015 est) Area: 268,581 sq mi Counties: 254 5805 N. Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78773-0259 Phone: 512-424-2755 Todd Spencer Program Coordinator Response CCG Coordinator, Austin Todd has been in charge of the state s tactical resources since joining DPS in 2011. This includes mobile command posts, field support units, radio caches, repeaters and satellite units. He is also engaged in supporting border operations. Since being promoted to Program Coordinator in April 2015, Todd has assumed additional executive leadership responsibilities within the Public Safety Communications Service. Todd is a retired 22-year fireman with Desoto Fire and Rescue. Craig Haddock MCCP Supervisor, Austin Craig has been with DPS about 19 years and recently joined the MCCP team as the Supervisor over MCCP Field personnel. He transferred from DPS Technical Services. His background is in radio, tower climbing/maintenance and DPS radio systems.
Bob Thomas, MS, MEMS Program Specialist, Austin Bob has been with DPS for over 4 years and conducts a great deal of in the shadows support to the MCCP team, CCG and PSCS. He comes from the private sector. Cipriano (CP) Garza Radio Technician, Austin A Jack of all trades, CP installs, repairs and maintains all radios, antennas, satellites, trailers and anything else he is asked to do. CP has 15 years with DPS and moved over to the MCCP team 3 years ago from Technical Service as a Tech IV. William Warren Program Specialist Mechanic Tractor Driver, Austin Will is the mechanic and tractor driver for the big Communications/Command platforms. He has 6 years with DPS and moved over to the MCCP team 1 ½ years ago from the DPS auto shop to support and maintain all of the equipment and assist in transporting larger platforms. Rudy Gonzalez Program Specialist Inventory, Austin Rudy tracks and accounts for the almost $10 million in MCCP inventory. He has 4 years with DPS and comes from the private sector. Thomas (Tommy) Gonzalez Communications Emergency Operations Team (CEOT) Manager, Corpus Christi Tommy manages the CEOTs, coordinates state COML and COMT training, heads up the state credentialing committee for COML and COMT, and schedules/plans state Communications exercises. He has more than 20 years with DPS.
Alamo is a 55 semi-trailer Mobile Command/ Communications Center equipped with one 34 slide and one 8 slide. Alamo provides a fully self-contained Command Platform with two-20kw onboard Diesel generators and a roof mounted satellite. Alamo is able to provide network, VoIP phones, satellite and off air TV, wireless internet, 13 LED Smart TVs, aircraft video downlink and radio communications on VHF, UHF and 700/800 MHz as well as a Telex radio console for interconnection between the frequency bands. Alamo has one Communications Operator position. Texas Command is a 53 semi-trailer Mobile Command/Communications Center equipped a 24 slideout on each side. With the aid of a portable satellite package, Texas Command provides satellite data connection, VoIP phones, satellite and off air TV, and wireless internet along with numerous LCD monitors and aircraft video downlink. One Radio Position provides radio communications on VHF, UHF and 700/800 MHz, as well as a Telex radio console for interconnection between the frequency bands. Texas Command is powered by a separate trailer-mounted generator.
San Jacinto is the latest addition to the DPS fleet, a 45 state-of-the art Communications/Command platform equipped with three 9 slides and one 12 slide. San Jacinto is equipped with eight dual band VHF/800 MHz radios along with aviation, UHF and MSAT radio capabilites. These radios are all connected to the five Communications Operator stations via IP based Telex consoles. Via the mounted 1.2M satellite or the latest installed celullar technology, it will provide connectivity to open internet, DPS network, VoIP phones, internal and external wifi. The trailer is also equipped with 11 LED Smart TVs, 60 interactive display, satellite and off air TV, aircraft video downlink, all connected via HDMI. The trailer is internally wired for fiber, Cat6 and HDMI for future needs. The rear of the trailer has two 53 pnuematic masts, each with an infared laser PTZ camera. All of this is powered by the onboard 40Kw diesel generator. Tejas and Lone Star are 40 trailers. Each is a state-of-the art Mobile Communications platform equipped with two 6 slides. Each is equipped with 4 APX VHF/700/800MHz, UHF and MSAT radio capabilites. These radios are all connected to the two Communications Operator stations via IP based Telex consoles. Via the mounted 1.2M satellite or the latest installed cellular technology, it will provide connectivity to open internet, DPS network, VoIP phones, internal and external wifi. The trailer is also equipped with Flat panel LCD monitors, aircraft video downlink, TVs, satellite and off air TV. The rear of the trailer has two pnuematic masts one 53 with an infared laser PTZ camera and one 35. All of this is powered by the onboard 30Kw diesel generator. Command One is a 30 mobile Communications Center equipped with two 6 slides, two Radio Positions and one Supervisor position. This platform,, which can only support a small command staff, about 5 people, is equipped with 2 APX VHF/700/800 MHz, VHF, UHF and MSAT radio capabilites. Via the mounted 1.2M satellite or the latest installed cellular technology, it will provide connectivity to open internet, DPS network, VoIP phones, internal and external wifi. The trailer is also equipped with Flat panel LCD monitors,tvs, satellite and off air TV. The rear of the trailer has one 52 pnuematic mast with an infared laser PTZ camera.
The Emergency Communications Van (ECV) is a self-contained, self-powered platform on a 2007 Dodge Sprinter chassis. It provides emergency communication and data connectivity within minutes of arriving on location. A 10kW Onan generator provides onboard power for operation. The ECV contains a full complement of radios (VHF, UHF/7-800 MHz) aircraft video downlink and a 1.8M satellite for connectivity and VoIP phones. --------------------------------------------------------------END-------------------------------------------------------------