This from Kevin Griffin:
The Tinley Park Fire Department has changed to the new Mabas 24 numbering system. The chiefs are 4600-4605. Station 1 is 46 station 2 is 47 station 3 is 48 and station 4 is 49.
Kevin Griffin photo
Tinley Park Fire Department news
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#1 by MABAS 21 on May 4, 2017 - 8:56 PM
Thanks Murphy, that’s the point that I was trying to reiterate on a lack of sleep. Things could possibly be very chaotic on the fireground in the case of a mayday situation if there are multiple companies on the scene with the same number. For example an extra alarm fire with hypothetically Lockport, Bolingbrook and Orland all operating with an “Engine 3” which could very well happen. So it is very important that companies state their department/district name and apparatus type in addition to the unit number when going auto/mutual aid interdivisionally on different frequencies so there is no confusion. And I agree that it isn’t necessarily the dispatch center’s fault, that it is more of an issue with the limitations of the CAD programs developed in the market. Maybe the software developers can provide better parameters on future CAD programs that are more fire service friendly with common sense.
#2 by B Murphy on May 4, 2017 - 7:30 PM
Agreed it can be confusing and seems to be driven more by the programing and operational needs of CAD systems as opposed to human logic and common sense.
Just my opinion, but if you’re dealing with a single-entity fire department with multiple stations (CFD, LA County, Naperville, PG County, Toronto, wherever), then having a unique numbering system for company and apparatus ID’s can work, as it’s local and specifc and familiar to that organization.
Relying soley on unit numbers while communicating has its problems.
As most departments typically pull companies from more than one MABAS division during larger incidents, the incidence of companies with the same unit number at the same incident occurs often. This can happen even during everyday auto-aid and similar calls that cross MABAS Division borders. If there are 2 different Engine 505s at an incident, and communication is via numbers only, then the problems that can occur are obvious.
For me, a good solution, at least at an incident, is to preface all unit numbers with their department name- ‘Batavia Engine 2, Waukegan Truck 1634’, etc. It only takes an extra second or less, and it makes communications very clear. It also matches up with most accountability systems, and with how MABAS calls are dispatched.
The needs of a good CAD system are legit, as it does improve the overall dispatch quality (when properly working), and numbers-only communication for local-use seems fine, but at incidents with multiple organizations present communications should use plain English FD names along with unit numbers. It overcomes many of the issues arising when multiple independent FDs decide to adopt a shared numbering system, and adds an additional layer of safety and accountability.
#3 by Big Moe on May 4, 2017 - 6:05 PM
As a fire dispatcher for the last 32 years, I can assure all that the dispatch centers and operators had nothing to do with all these renumberings. We get the memo on the new numbers after all the decisions have been made. And yes it will be easier for dispatchers over 4 digit numbers. As for unique numbers, every division had a 401 or some other number. Embrace a positive change.
#4 by Dave DuVall on May 3, 2017 - 9:47 PM
Harvey was originally 22,23, 25, 26…skipping 24 because MABAS 24 units were going to use 24….Munster needed to be 22,23 because of Lake County IN dispatch rules…so they gave those 2 numbers to Munster and moved Harvey down to 35, 36, 37, 38.
As for the example of Cal City…ambulance would be A-12, 2nd Ambo would be A-112, 3rd would be A-212
#5 by Brian on May 3, 2017 - 3:34 PM
Harvey is in the mid 30’s, no idea why other they skipped 25 and 26
#6 by MABAS 21 on May 3, 2017 - 2:08 PM
The DH:
I understand the fact that renumbering apparatus to the stations may be easier for the dispatchers in some essence, but it also can cause confusion to incident commanders, company officers and interdivisional dispatch centers alike. It now seems that almost every MABAS division is utilizing the same numbering system, by station, whereas prior each had a specific way to uniquely identify the individual department, station number and TYPE of apparatus. Divisions 10, 15, 19 and 22 each had their own easy numbering systems that specified these categories and it works well. It seems like every division is caving in to their dispatch centers ease over practices that work and identify suppression companies better. For example Westmont 1821, 18 – department, 2 – station and 1 – engine co. With the new station numbering systems there are duplicate identities ie: Engine 32 shared by Highland Park, Homer, Roberts Park and now Lynwood or Engine 51 shared by LIWD, East Jo or Engine 16 shared by Rolling Meadows, Skokie and now Dolton.
#7 by Matt on May 3, 2017 - 1:38 PM
East Hazel Crest does indeed have two stations. The second station is a small bay in the back of the Village Hall along Dixie Highway.
#8 by Tom on May 3, 2017 - 11:13 AM
Why does East Hazel Crest have 17 & 18? I thought they were a 1 station town.
#9 by The DH on May 3, 2017 - 10:07 AM
What about Harvey? Wouldn’t they be in the mid-20s as it appears it is going alphabetically? Also, MABAS 21, it seems like the latest and greatest idea around here for dispatch is going with station-based numbering, so each station has a number and all the rigs are that number…they say it makes their lives easier in dispatch. Dupage county (sans Naperville) is that way and a few other areas
#10 by MABAS 21 on May 2, 2017 - 4:37 PM
Thanks for your answers and clarification gentleman
#11 by Brian on May 2, 2017 - 3:19 PM
Box Cards will become the Departments lowest station number
Cal City would become Box 11-1, 11-2 etc
That is effective June 1
#12 by Brian on May 2, 2017 - 3:16 PM
And yes Homewood acres is not included so I do not know what they plan. Maybe 25 or 26, unknown from the info I have seen.
#13 by Brian on May 2, 2017 - 3:15 PM
I have NO idea what caused this other than the brain trust of Division 24 made the change.
Apparatus numbering example would be (using your Cal City example)
Station 11 (st 1 companies)
Engine 11
Ambo 11
2nd Ambo 111
Station 12 (st 2 companies)
Engine 12
Truck 12
Squad 12
Ambo 12
2nd Ambo 121
2nd Engine 121
(Example only) – 3rd ambo 122
Chief is 1100
DC 1101
#14 by Erik H on May 2, 2017 - 3:11 PM
Mabas 21 in regards to your question about more than one vehicle from a station, the answer is the second unit adds a “1” in front of the number. I.e. Ambaualnce 11 is first out, ambulance 111 is second out from that station. It applies to all vehicles. If a Dept has 1 station and 3 engine they would be as follows. Engine 24. E 124, E 224. Etc
It looks like 25 and 26 are not listed. Maybe one of those is assigned to Homewood acres
#15 by MABAS 21 on May 2, 2017 - 1:38 PM
A few questions: First, what spurred this drastic numbering change for all these departments who have different dispatch centers? Doesn’t Cal City run 3 frontline ambos? Lastly, isn’t Homewood Acres a member of Division 24 ? They’re recognized by the OSFM as an active department. Thanks for your answers.
#16 by Brian on May 2, 2017 - 11:47 AM
Here it is….
10 – Burnham
11, 12 – Cal City
13, 14 – Country Club Hills
15, 16 – Dolton
17, 18 – East Hazel Crest
19 – Flossmoor
20, 21 – Glenwood
22, 23 – Munster
24 – Division 24
27 – Hazel Crest
28 – Homewood
29, 30, 31 – Lansing
32 – Lynwood
33, 34 – Markham
35, 36, 37, 38 – Harvey
39, 40 – Oak Forest
41 – Phoenix
42 – Riverdale
43, 44 – South Holland
45 – Thornton
46, 47, 48, 49 – Tinley Park
#17 by Brian on May 2, 2017 - 11:43 AM
Mabas 24 numbering start at
10 with Burnham
11 and 12 Cal City
13 and 14 Country Club Hills
15 and 16 Dolton
17 and 18 East Hazel Crest
19 Flossmoor
20 and 21 Glenwood
22, 23 and substation Munster (staying in line with Lake County Indiana numbering)
24 MABAS 24
27 Hazel Crest
28 Homewood
29, 30, 31 Lansing
32 Lynwood
33 and 34 Markham
35, 36, 37, 38 Harvey
39 and 40 Oak Forest
41 Phoenix
42 Riverdale
43, 44 South Holland
45 Thornton
46, 47, 48, 49 Tinley Park
#18 by Kevin Griffin on May 2, 2017 - 10:47 AM
Rusty, not sure but as of may 1st The Tinley Park Dispatch center took over all mabas 24 operations from Orland Dispatch
#19 by Michael M on May 2, 2017 - 9:20 AM
Nice photo of the truck!
#20 by Rusty on May 2, 2017 - 9:10 AM
Kevin do you know what the new numbering system will in 24?