InterceptRadio.com Forums :: View topic - Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon

Governor's office declaring no fatalities. 3 transported and in stable condition.

Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability.

It also seems like the notion that cell bandwidth goes to emergency personel in an emergency is a myth. Law radio was full of "can't call you I have no service"

Re Brad's comment about cell phones:

Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability.

radiorange wrote:

I agree entirely with Brad, though I suspect the above media quote might also be "so we can put our reporter on the air".

Author:	Wilrobnson [ Thu May 23, 2013 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:	Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Driving now, but info through KOMO radio says both north and south lanes of bridge over Skagit river collapsed. KOMO unconfirmed reports of 2 fatalities.

Author:	Wilrobnson [ Thu May 23, 2013 6:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Kiro pic

Author:	Mark [ Thu May 23, 2013 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
123.1 Helos King and Whidbey NAS

Author:	Mark [ Thu May 23, 2013 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
WSP coordination on 154.935

Author:	Brad [ Thu May 23, 2013 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Heard more than once by different services.... "Unable to make phone call, network overwhelmed...." Or, something to that effect. Go figure.

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Author:	Mark [ Thu May 23, 2013 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Would not want to be the oversized truck driver that hit the top of the bridge. Pilot car only 150 feet ahead when it's hight rod hit the bridge...

Author:	Atomic Taco [ Thu May 23, 2013 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Governor's office declaring no fatalities. 3 transported and in stable condition.

Author:	cparris2 [ Fri May 24, 2013 7:14 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Atomic Taco wrote: Governor's office declaring no fatalities. 3 transported and in stable condition. Amazing there weren't more serious injuries or fatalities... - Chris

Author:	radiorange [ Fri May 24, 2013 7:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Re Brad's comment about cell phones: Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability.

Author:	Mark [ Fri May 24, 2013 7:50 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Quote: Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability. It also seems like the notion that cell bandwidth goes to emergency personel in an emergency is a myth. Law radio was full of "can't call you I have no service" Never leave home without an HT that has the diode clipped...

Author:	chpalmer [ Fri May 24, 2013 8:40 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
Mark wrote: It also seems like the notion that cell bandwidth goes to emergency personel in an emergency is a myth. Law radio was full of "can't call you I have no service" In the initial days of the cell phone we had a bit we could set to give some better priority over others. No one ever gave clear direction so every cell techs family got higher priority while others got not so high. The priority bit was either never used on the cell end or its use ended early on. These days the bit is totally removed.

Author:	Brad [ Fri May 24, 2013 9:42 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
radiorange wrote: Re Brad's comment about cell phones: Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability. That was my other thought - That area has pretty decent public safety radio coverage, and a pretty decent selection of frequencies ( I believe Skagit County Fire has up to 9 Fire TAC's to choose from, both repeated and simplex). WSP has their repeater and several simplex channels. The local PD and SO have a couple. And, it looks like local Emergency Management has at least one frequency available to them. I suspect there is now some cross-programming to assist with interopability. Don't know, and not sure how extensively such cross-programming was utilized (or if it was even needed for the mission). The communications with the Navy helicopter was a bit curtailed, as no one on the ground had a military radio. I think they eventually got a SAR guy down there with an aircraft portable, and was able to talk to the helicopter directly. The natural tendencies for managers now is to "pick up the phone" and call whoever they want, to discuss a specific talking point that is important at that moment, and have some shroud of confidentiality. For day-to-day operations, they can usually get away with that. But with any "habit" that is formed, that habit is likely what you are going to revert to under stress. During this mess, lots of cell phone calls could not be completed, simply because of the system overload. And, this wasn't even a wide-spread regional emergency. It affected a LOT of people at once, but it wasn't on the magnitude of an earthquake. So, alternate communications had to be used, and the "habit" of just picking up the phone had to be modified. They had to use a radio! There was an Emergency Management guy in Snohomish County that made the observation during drills - participants were using their cell phones way too much. He proposed that at the next drill, all cell phones and pagers would be dropped off at the door, and not considered as an option - mainly because that would be the reality in a real emergency. The cell phone network would either be off the air, or seriously overloaded, and should not be considered part of the "communication plan". Sure, it can supplement if working - but should not be depended on. Practice may make perfect, but if your practice is imperfect then you are wasting your time. "Perfect practice makes perfect". /rant, before I have to lock myself out of this topic....

Author:	FlashP [ Fri May 24, 2013 10:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
radiorange wrote: Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability. I agree entirely with Brad, though I suspect the above media quote might also be "so we can put our reporter on the air".

Author:	the Outlaw [ Fri May 24, 2013 11:07 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
What a great fishing pier. :D

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Author:	Atomic Taco [ Fri May 24, 2013 11:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bridge collapse I5 Mt Vernon
FlashP wrote: radiorange wrote: Heard more than one tv station request people to stay off cell phones so "emergency responders" could talk to each other. Sad state of affairs and guess cell phones are the radios of choice for interoperability. I agree entirely with Brad, though I suspect the above media quote might also be "so we can put our reporter on the air". I was watching KING last night. Chopper kept dropping and they had lots of issues with the field reporters as well. It looks like at least one of the reporters was using a cell backhaul.