Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH
The Fire Communications Center is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title Il, as there
is no elevator to the Center, located on the second floor.?7
The Fire Communications Center has five dispatch workstations—three in dispatch and two in the back
conference room, which serves as a backup facility. The backup workstations do not have radio consoles but
do have telephone and CAD. The workstations meet current ergonomic standards, with sit/stand desks and
adjustable keyboard trays. There are eight computer monitors per workstation that are displayed in two tiers.
There is only one keyboard, but three mice at each workstation. All workstations in the Fire Communications
Center are interchangeable, so the dispatchers can sit down at any workstation and perform all job tasks. The
backup workstations are not completely interchangeable.
There are kitchen facilities available for the Dispatchers and a sleeping area if needed during disasters.
Physical Security
The public is not allowed inside the Fire Communications Center building at any time. There are three
windows that look out on public areas, but the glass is not bullet resistant, as required by NFPA 1221, Chapter
4, Section 4.6.4. The walls are not blast-resistant, as required by NFPA 1221 Chapter 4, Section 4.6.5. There
are two locked doors between dispatch and any public areas, and there are closed-circuit cameras that are
looking at access doors, parking lots, and other spaces.
Power
All radio towers and antennas, as well as incoming copper phone lines, are grounded for lightning protection.
An uninterruptable power system (UPS) is supplied for all critical electronics in the building. There is a diesel
backup generator in the parking lot. The parking lot is accessible by the public, and while no bollards are
protecting the unit, the generator doors are locked. The generator is run under a full load once a week. The
diesel tank is 425 liters, or 112 gallons, and is rated at 3.43 gallons per hour. The Fire Communications Center
is able to operate for approximately 30 hours on one tank of diesel. NFPA 1221, Chapter 4, Section 4.7.4.12
requires 72 hours of fuel to be available.
Radio
Nashua Fire Rescue operates on a Motorola 800 Trunked Radio system for primary communications and a
VHF legacy system as a backup system. There are three transmitter sites on the simulcast system. Fire
responders utilize up to five talk groups, and EMS is assigned talk groups. There are five other talk groups
that are available for support. The dispatchers use Motorola MCC 7500 radio consoles, which were last
upgraded in 2018. The only reported coverage issues in the current system are when responders go below
grade (basements, etc.). Digital vehicle repeaters are used to mitigate this deficiency.
27 https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titlel!_2010/titlell_2010_regulations. pdf.
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